Musunuri Nayaks in Kakatiya

The Musunuri Nayaks were Kamma warrior chieftains in the Kakatiya army, who regained Andhradesa in 1326 from the Delhi Sultanate in the aftermath of the Kakatiya defeat. Prominent among them were Musunuri Prolaneedu and Kaapaneedu.

King Pratapa Rudra’s Kakatiya kingdom was ably served by seventy five chieftains called Nayaks. The Nayaks who belonged to various castes were divided by mutual jealousy and rivalry. However, the Nayak chiefs valiantly fought during the hour of the need. Many Nayak chiefs were captured, converted to Islam and sent back as governors. These included Harihara and Bukka who later established Vijayanagar kingdom at Hampi. Some like Minister Jagannatha Pandit occupied exalted positions in Delhi Durbar.

The year 1323 was a turning point in the history of Telugu country. After the fall of Warangal, Muslim armies marched forward and captured Kondapalli, Kondaveedu, Rajahmundry, Nidadavole, Nellore, and Kolanuveedu forts. The conquest spread up to Madhura (Tamil Nadu) . The Hoysala and Kampili kingdoms in Karnatakaalso became part of the Delhi Sultanate. The conquest of South India was complete. Ulugh Khan ascended the Delhi throne under the name Muhammad bin Tughluq.

The Musunuri Nayaks were Kamma warrior chieftains in the Kakatiyaarmy, who regained Andhradesa in 1326 from the Delhi Sultanate in the aftermath of the Kakatiya defeatBouddhamu-Andhramu, Hanumantha Rao, .

The conquest of South India (Deccan) by the Delhi Sultanate started in 1296 when Alauddin Khilji, the son-in-law and commander of the Sultan Jalaluddin raided and plundered Devagiri (Maharashtra). Khilji subsequently murdered the Sultan and took over the reins of the Sultanate. The glory and wealth of the Kakatiya kingdom attracted the attention of Khilji. The first foray into the Telugu kingdom was made in 1303 by the Sultan’s armies led by Malik Fakruddin. It was a disaster because of the valiant resistance of the Kakatiya army in the battle at Upparapalli (Karimnagar District). The second attempt was made in 1309 by Malik Kafur who managed to capture the Siripur and Hanumakonda forts. The Warangal fort was taken after a prolonged seizeA Social History of the Deccan:...