Launch of the book ‘Musunuri Nayakas – Hindu resurgence in Dakshinapatha’
In the three -day seminar ‘Dakshinapatha Through Ages – Glory of Bharat’ conducted by Itihaas Sankalan Samithi ( 15-17 March 2025) at TSCAB, Hyderabad, the book published by Samvit Prakashan, with Dakshinapatha Studies ( Center for South Indian Studies) as research partner has been launched by the dignitaries in the inaugural session of the conference.
The Hon’ble Governor of Telangana Shri Jishnu Dev Varma formally inaugurated the seminar, the book was formally launched by the Hon’ble Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma along with other dignitaries Justice Shri L. Narasimha Reddy, former Chief justice of Patna High Court, Shri L.V. Subhramanyam, former Chief Secretary, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Balmukund Pandey, National Organizing Secretary, Akhil Bharatiya Itihaas Sankalan Yojana, Dr Gopal Reddy, President, Dakshinapatha Studies (Center for South Indian Studies), Shri Manohar Rao & Shri Veerender, Itihas Sankalan Samithi, Kum Shailaja, Samvit Prakashan, Shri Kalyan Chakravarthy, Dakshinapatha Studies were on stage and formally inaugurated the book.
About the book
The book ‘Musunuri Nayakas – Hindu resurgence in Dakshinapatha’, published by Samvit Prakashan, and co-compiled by Dakshinapatha Studies (Center for South Indian Studies) covers the glorious history of Dakshinapatha during 14th century in present day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana; the period witnessed one of the greatest resistances known in Indian history mounted by the Musunuri Nayaka Kings who defeated the Delhi Sultans and re-established the kingdom from the capital city of Warangal. It is often termed as the `First war of Independence’ fought against the Islamic invaders in Southern India. The establishment of the kingdom by Musunuri Nayakas with nearly 75 kings as a form of Confederacy, was brought about with brilliant strategy and tactical warfare.
The book contains chapters taken from the books by eminent historians Sri Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma ( from the book `Musunuri Nayakulu’, published by Andhra University, Guntur, 1944), Dr Nelaturi Venkata Ramanayya (from the work `The Early Muslim Expansion in South India’, Madras University’s Historical Series-No 17, University of Madras, 1942), Sri NG Ranga (from the book `Kakatiya Nayaks’, published by The Indian Peasant Institute, Nidubrolu, Andhra Pradesh, 1971), Dr V. Yasoda Devi ( from the book `After the Kakatiyas’ (published by Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy in 1975/76) and Sri Khandavalli Satyadev Prasad. The book is a treasure to history academics, researchers, enthusiasts, students and has a long term value for people. This volume commemorates as well as celebrates the heroes of our land.
Presentation by Dakshinapatha Studies in the seminar
a.`Musunuri Nayakas’
P.Shailaja– Vice-president, Samvit Kendra & Senior Research Associate, Dakshinapatha Studies, presented on the topic `Musunuri Nayakas’ based on the book `Musunuri Nayakas- A forgotten chapter of Andhra History’ by Late Sri Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma.
The detailed presentation talks about the coming together of the 75 Nayaka Kings as a loosely federated Andhra Confederacy, under the leadership of Prolaya Nayaka and Kapaya Nayaka. The Hindu resistance won back all the erstwhile regions lost under the Kakatiya Kingdom, following the Muslim invasions and the defeat of Kakateeya King Prataparudra during the 14th century. The Nayaka kings of all communities came together and fought a guerilla-style warfare with the support of ordinary Hindus who suffered severe repression and devastation under the Muslim invasions; the Nayaka kings re-established the kingdom from the capital Warangal. The presentation also talked about the destruction of the grand Chalukyan temples, and the erection of Masjids over them in Rajahmundry, Bikkavole, Kondapalli and Eluru. Unfortunately, with the rise of Bahmanis, and the continuous attack on the Nayaka kings, and also with some internal battles within the Nayaka kings, the Hindu kingdom which was fought back with strong resistance, ultimately lost out to the Bahmanis.
b. `Tax System in Kakateeya Period’
Ch. Kalyan Chakravarthy– Research Coordinator, Daksinapatha Studies, presented on the topic `Tax System in Kakateeya Period’ based on Late Dr PV Parabrahma Sastry’s book titled `Kakateeyas of Warangal’.
Bharat is a wealthy country, which was the reason why the fanatics attacked this land repeatedly. Within a span few hundred years, the glory of Bharat got diminished. While searching for the reasons behind this, it is evident that the Invaders looted and routed the wealth. Today in modern days, India once again regained the 5th position in the world. This signifies that apart from having rich natural resources Bharateeyas are also hard-working and willingly contribute to the government. With this hypothesis, the paper presented on the `Tax System in Kakateeya era’ and in the earlier period. The paper discussed various records indicating the types of taxes collected and quantum of tax collected. The presentation concluded that at the time of Islamic invasions, robust tax systems were functioning in all the kingdoms in Dakshinapatha, and people willingly contributed to the tax system.