History: East Godavari District | APPSC State Specific Preparation Course - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

History of East Godavari District

• The history of East Godavari district, like the rest of Andhra, dates back to the period of the Nandas.
• Mahapadma Nanda, the founder of the Nanda dynasty, conquered various monarchs in the Deccan region.
• Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the last Nanda ruler, Dhana Nanda, in 322 B.C., establishing the Maurya dynasty.

Maurya Dynasty

• Chandragupta Maurya controlled a significant part of the Deccan region and was succeeded by his son, Bindusara (297-272 B.C.).
• Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, ascended the throne after Bindusara.

Satavahana Rule

• Following the Mauryas, the East Godavari district came under the influence of the Satavahanas.
• Rulers like Gautamiputra Satakarni, Vasisthiputra Pulumayi, and Yajna Sri Satavahanas are notable in the region's history.
• Coins found during excavations provide evidence of Satavahana rule until the early third century A.D.

Gupta Rule and Local Resistance

• Samudragupta, a Gupta ruler, invaded the district in A.D. 350, leading to conflicts with local rulers.
• Local rulers collaborated with neighboring principalities to resist the Gupta ruler, although the outcome remains unknown.

Sakthivarman and the Matharakula Dynasty

• Sakthivarman was the earliest known ruler of the Matharakula dynasty.
• The Matharakula kings reigned from around 375 A.D. to 500 A.D.

Vishnukundin Rule and Expansion

• Vishnukundin rulers, starting with Vikramendravarma I, ruled for over two centuries from the 5th century A.D.
• Their domain extended over Visakhapatnam, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, and East Godavari districts.

Ranadurjaya and Indrabhattaraka

• Ranadurjaya ruled Pistapuram under Vikramendravarma as a vassal.
• Indrabhattaraka from the Vishnukundin dynasty regained control after defeating Vasisthakula rulers.
• Kalinga forces later defeated Indrabhattaraka, weakening the Vishnukundin power.

Decline of the Vishnukundin Dynasty

• Madhavarama III was the last significant ruler of the Vishnukundin dynasty.
• After his death, his son Manchannabhattaraka struggled to maintain control over the territory.

Chalukya Rule and Conquest

• Pulakesin II of the Western Chalukya dynasty, aided by Kubjavishnu, conquered Pistapura.
• Kubjavishnu was rewarded with the conquered eastern territories for his assistance.

Eastern Chalukya Dynasty Overview

• The Eastern Chalukya dynasty was established by Kubjavishnu and initially ruled from Pistapura, later moving to Vengi and Rajamahendri (Rajahmundry).
• Succession disputes were prevalent throughout the history of the dynasty.

Chalukya Bhima I and Successors

• Chalukya Bhima I, who reigned from 892 to 921 AD, constructed a temple dedicated to Siva at Draksharama.
• Following a period of civil war, Amma I emerged victorious and ruled for seven years before being succeeded by Vijayaditya V.
• Vijayaditya V faced a short-lived reign and had to seek refuge in Pithapuram, where he established a new dynasty.

Conflict and Invasions

• In 973 AD, the ruler Danarnava was killed, and Vengi was seized by Jata Choda Bhima of Pedakallu.
• Danarnava's sons sought asylum with the Chola king Rajaraja I, leading to a conflict between the Cholas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani.

End of the Dynasty

• Vijayaditya VII's rule ended in 1075 AD, marking the conclusion of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty.

Chola Empire and its Expansion

• With Rajendra assuming the title of Kulottunga I, the Chola Empire expanded to include the Vengi kingdom, creating the Chalukya-Chola rulership.

Administration in Vengi

• Kulottunga I appointed his sons as viceroys in Vengi to govern the region effectively.
• Vikrama Chola was recalled due to inefficiencies in Velanadu chief's governance, leading to Western Chalukya intervention.

Succession and Independence

• Successors like Kulottunga II and Rajaraja II followed Kulottunga I, with Velanadu rulers growing more independent over time.
• Local dynasties like Velanati Cholas, led by rulers such as Gonka I and Kulottunga Rajendra Chola II, held sway in the region.

Transition and Conflict

• Following the demise of Kulottunga Rajendra Chola II, civil war erupted among his heirs, ending Velanati Chola rule.

Kakatiya Dynasty and Regional Dynamics

• Prola II of the Kakatiya dynasty asserted independence from the Western Chalukyas, facing opposition from the Haihayas of Kona.
• Rudra succeeded Prola II, obtaining the Godavari delta and clashing with Velanadu Cholas, notably Julottunga Rajendra Chola II.

Power Struggles and Supremacy

• Rudra's minister, Devana Preggada, expanded the empire's influence by subduing the Haihayas of Kona and asserting dominance over the region.

The Rise and Fall of the Kakatiya Dynasty

• Succession after Rajaraja II: After the demise of Rajaraja II, Kulottunga Rajendra Chola II seized control of the maritime region following the decline of imperial power.
• Reign of Ganapathi: Ganapathi, the son of Mahadeva, expanded Kakatiya territory through conquests like Divi in Krishna district and campaigns against Kalinga and the Pandyas of Madura.
• Conflict with Eastern Ganga Rulers: Ganapathi faced continuous conflict with Amiyanka Bhima III and Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
• Victory over Pandyas: In a significant battle, Ganapathi defeated the Pandyas and enforced his authority over their ally, Kopperunjinga.'
• Rise of Rudramba: Ganapathi's daughter, Rudramba, succeeded him and extended Kakatiya control over the entire Godavari valley during her reign.
• Challenges Faced by Prataparudra: Prataparudra, who ascended the throne in 1295, encountered numerous invasions by the Delhi Sultans, culminating in his defeat and capture by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq in 1323.

The Rise of Regional Kingdoms in South India

• Background: During the rule of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq, the Deccan and South India were divided into five provinces governed by appointed officials. However, the governance by these officials was met with discontent.
• Formation of Confederacy: The Nayakas residing in these regions united to form a confederacy. Prolaya Nayaka from the Musunuri family emerged as the leader of this confederation.
• Establishment of Kingdoms: This unrest led to the establishment of various kingdoms, including the Reddis of Kondaveedu, the Rayas of Vijayanagara, the Recherlas of Rachakonda, the Bahmanis of Gulbarga, and the Musunuri chief of Warangal. Prolaya Nayaka rose as the uncontested leader of Coastal Andhra.
• Succession and Instability: After the demise of Prolaya Nayaka, Kapaya Nayaka took the reins but failed to maintain unity among the chiefs, who began to act independently.
• Administrative Shift: Kapaya Nayaka then assigned the administration to Toyyeti Anavota Nayaka, who governed from Rajahmundry. Following Anavota Nayaka's death in 1364, the region faced a leadership vacuum.
• Political Turmoil and Power Struggles: During this period, various chiefs like the Manchikonda Chief, Mummadi Nayaka of Korukonda, and Narasimhadeva IV of Kalinga attempted to seize control. However, the Reddy ruler, Anavota, managed to reclaim authority.
• Succession of Reddy Rulers: Anavota was succeeded by Anavema Reddi (1364-1386), followed by Kumaragiri in 1386, marking a series of transitions in power.

Rise of Kumaragiri and the Reddi Kingdom

• Kumaragiri engaged in numerous conflicts with the Racherlas of Rachakonda and the rulers of Kalinga.
• General Kataya Vema, under Kumaragiri's command, conquered the eastern region, expanding the Reddi Kingdom.
• The annexed territory in the north, including Simhachalam, formed the Rajamahendra Rajya.
• Prince Anavota governed the Rajamahendra Rajya until his untimely demise in approximately A.D. 1395.

Conflict and Succession in the Eastern Kingdom

• After Anavota's death, Kataya Vema assumed control of the Rajamahendra Rajya.
• Peda Komati Vema seized the throne of Kondaveedu following Kataya Vema's departure.
• Kataya Vema confronted Eruva Chief Annadeva Choda, reclaiming territory lost to him.
• An intense battle between Kataya Vema and Annadeva Choda resulted in Kataya Vema's demise.

Transition of Power and Vijayanagar Influence

• Allada Reddi appointed Kataya Vema's son, Komaragiri, as ruler of Rajamahendravaram.
• Allada Reddi governed the region until his death in A.D. 1420.
• Devaraya-II of Vijayanagar defeated Virabhadra around 1423, bringing the kingdom under his control.

Emergence of Feudatory Chiefs and Political Alliances

• The Virasamantas of Koppula chiefs rose to prominence following the Kakatiya downfall.
• The Korukonda chiefs, a minor dynasty, gained power and influence through strategic marriages.
• Mummadi Nayaka, marrying into the Musunuri chief's family, expanded his territories along the Godavari.
• Mummadi Nayaka's sons ruled for 40 years before being subdued by the Reddies of Kondaveedu.

History of the Godavari Krishna Doab Region

• Rivalry for Succession: After Kapileswara Gajapati's passing in A.D. 1470, his sons Hamvira and Purushottma contended for the throne. Hamvira initially seized power with Bahmani support but was later overthrown by Purushottama.
• Conflict and Peace Treaty: Purushottama attempted to reclaim territories like Rajahmundry but faced opposition from Muhammad Shah III. Despite battles, a peace treaty was eventually reached.
• Expansion and Alliances: Following Muhammad Shah III's demise, Purushottama extended his rule over the Godavari Krishna doab, pushing back Bahmani forces.
• Succession and Diplomacy: Prataparudra succeeded Purushottama and engaged with Vijayanagar monarch Krishnadevaraya, leading to a treaty involving territorial concessions and a marriage alliance.
• Qutb Shahi Intrusions: During unsettled times, the Qutb Shahi rulers, including Sultan Quli Qutb Shah, intervened, seizing Rajahmundry and nearby regions.
• Mughal Influence and Expansion: In the backdrop of Mughal ascendancy, East Godavari came under Golconda's jurisdiction, a Mughal province. Viceroys oversaw governance through military officials like Fauzdars.
• Nizam-ul-Mulk's Role: Nizam-ul-Mulk, appointed by Mughal emperors, notably engaged in Deccan affairs, defeating rivals like Mubariz Khan and establishing autonomy in the region.

Zamindars and the Northern Circars

War of Succession

• After Nizam-ul-Mulk's death in 1748, his son Nasir Jung and grandson Muzaffar Jung fought for succession.
• The French and English backed different claimants, leading to conflicts.
• The dispute was resolved with Salbat Jung's accession, aided by the French General Bussy.

English Occupation

• Anandra Raju of Vizianagaram invited the English to occupy the Northern Circars after General Bussy left for the south.
• A struggle between the French and English ensued, resulting in the French losing all possessions in the Northern Circars.

Changes in Leadership

• Salabat Jung was later deposed by his brother Nizam Ali Khan.
• Rajahmundry and Chicacole were leased out to Hasan Ali Khan.

English Acquisition

• Lord Clive negotiated for the ceding of the Northern Circars and obtained a Firman in 1765.
• General Cillaud was prepared for military action in Machilipatnam if needed.

Agreements and Transfers

• An agreement was reached where the English held the Northern Circars, paying a tribute and providing troops to the Nizam.
• This treaty was later reaffirmed in 1768.
• Hasan Ali Khan's lease ended in 1769, transferring control to the chief and council at Machilipatnam.

Emergence of Zamindars

• The Zamindars of Rampa, Peddapuram, Pithapuram, Kota, and Ramchandrapuram gained prominence before the district's transfer to the English.