Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu
Encyclopedia
Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu (1783–1816) was the last king of the Vasireddy Clan
that ruled parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh
from 1413 until the advent of the British. He was popularly known as the first king who revolted against British in India. The original seat of power was Chintapalli in present-day Krishna district
. Venkatadri Nayudu shifted his capital to Dharanikota
/Amaravati
across the Krishna river
in Guntur district
. He was most famous for his benign rule, patronage of the arts and literature, and as a builder of numerous temples in the Krishna river delta. He renovated the ancient temples at Amaravati
, Chebrolu
, Mangalagiri
, and Ponnur
u.
Nayudu kept a retinue of several thousand men, 300 horses, 80 elephants, 50 camels and uncounted bullock carts. The magnificence of his palaces at Amaravati, Chebrolu, Chintapalli and his town-house in Guntur became subjects of folklore. He built temples and repaired the lofty gopuram (Temple gate) at Mangalagiri. Over a hundred richly gilt brass pillars, over 30 feet high were erected in his name at various shrines. He fed daily hundreds of Purohits. Often he distributed shawls, gold and jewels among learned sadhus. The sums he spent on festivals, sacrifices, fire offerings and marriages became legendary. Several times, he divided his own weight on gold or silver among Brahmans. Colin Mckenzee who visited Amaravati 1797 praised the glory of Nayudus's palaces in Asiatic Journal.
Venkatadri successfully eliminated Pindaris who were robbing the people in Guntur
region. Legend has it that during his reign, Chenchus (forest tribe) were raiding villages around Amaravati
. Venkatadri invited about 600 of the Chenchu men to a luncheon and ordered them to be chopped and killed. The villages where this incident took place is today called Narukulapadu ('Naruku' in Telugu language
means 'to axe' or 'to chop') and Chavupadu
('Chavu' means death in Telugu). After this incident the Rajah became repentant and came to Amaravati
and devoted his entire life, time and revenues to building temples to Lord Siva. He renovated the Amareswaraswamy temple here, got nine learned archakas to be brought for the daily archana of the Lord, and provided them with all the needs of livelihood, including 12 acres (48,562.3 m²) of land to each. The temple as it stands now owes much to him.
Venkatadri was assisted by a very able minister and poet Mulugu Papayaradhya. There were several poets and scholars in the court of Venkatadri.
Vasireddy Clan
-History:The first historical record of the Vasireddy clan can be traced from 1413 CE inscription of Pothineedu at Pithapuram in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Pothineedu ruled A small region around Pithapuram subsequent to the downfall of Musunuri Nayaks at Warangal. Pothineedu constructed...
that ruled parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
from 1413 until the advent of the British. He was popularly known as the first king who revolted against British in India. The original seat of power was Chintapalli in present-day Krishna district
Krishna district
Krishna District is a district of India's Andhra Pradesh state. It is named after the Krishna River, the third longest river that flows within India, flows through the district and joins Bay of Bengal here in this district. It has a population of 4,529,009 of which 32.08% is urban as of...
. Venkatadri Nayudu shifted his capital to Dharanikota
Dharanikota
Dharanikota or Dhanyakatakam or Palden Drepung is a town near Amaravati in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh in India, which means a town of rice or paddy.- Location :...
/Amaravati
Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
Amaravathi is a small town situated on the banks of the River Krishna in the Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is famous for its Amareswara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the famous Pancharamas. Amaravati, also known as Dhanyakataka/Dharanikota was the site of a...
across the Krishna river
Krishna River
The Krishna River , is one of the longest rivers in central-southern India, about . It is also referred to as Krishnaveni in its original nomenclature...
in Guntur district
Guntur district
Guntur district is located in Andhra Pradesh along the east coast of Bay of Bengal. The district has a coastline of around 100 kilometers. Guntur City is the largest city in the district and administrative center of Guntur District. The district is a major center for learning.-Etymology:There are...
. He was most famous for his benign rule, patronage of the arts and literature, and as a builder of numerous temples in the Krishna river delta. He renovated the ancient temples at Amaravati
Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
Amaravathi is a small town situated on the banks of the River Krishna in the Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is famous for its Amareswara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the famous Pancharamas. Amaravati, also known as Dhanyakataka/Dharanikota was the site of a...
, Chebrolu
Chebrolu
Chebrolu, or Chebrole , is a town and a Mandal in Guntur district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India, located at . It is a major panchayat comprising three villages, Chebrolu, Pathareddypalem and Kothareddypalem and is the mandal headquarters. It was a regional fort for the Pallava, Chalukyas...
, Mangalagiri
Mangalagiri
Mangalagiri is a town, and a mandal of Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India. Mangalagiri is a part of Vijayawada urban agglomeration. It is situated on the Guntur-Vijayawada road, to the south-east of Vijayawada and to the north-east of Guntur City.-History:Mangalagiri means 'The holy hill'...
, and Ponnur
Ponnur
Ponnur is an urban town and a municipality located 28 k.m. south of Guntur City in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, India.-Demographics: India census, Ponnuru had a population of 57,640. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Ponnur has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher...
u.
Nayudu kept a retinue of several thousand men, 300 horses, 80 elephants, 50 camels and uncounted bullock carts. The magnificence of his palaces at Amaravati, Chebrolu, Chintapalli and his town-house in Guntur became subjects of folklore. He built temples and repaired the lofty gopuram (Temple gate) at Mangalagiri. Over a hundred richly gilt brass pillars, over 30 feet high were erected in his name at various shrines. He fed daily hundreds of Purohits. Often he distributed shawls, gold and jewels among learned sadhus. The sums he spent on festivals, sacrifices, fire offerings and marriages became legendary. Several times, he divided his own weight on gold or silver among Brahmans. Colin Mckenzee who visited Amaravati 1797 praised the glory of Nayudus's palaces in Asiatic Journal.
Venkatadri successfully eliminated Pindaris who were robbing the people in Guntur
Guntur
Guntur , is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, located to the north and west of the Bay of Bengal. It is approximately to the south of the national capital, New Delhi and south east of state capital, Hyderabad. Guntur is the fourth largest city in Andhra...
region. Legend has it that during his reign, Chenchus (forest tribe) were raiding villages around Amaravati
Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
Amaravathi is a small town situated on the banks of the River Krishna in the Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is famous for its Amareswara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the famous Pancharamas. Amaravati, also known as Dhanyakataka/Dharanikota was the site of a...
. Venkatadri invited about 600 of the Chenchu men to a luncheon and ordered them to be chopped and killed. The villages where this incident took place is today called Narukulapadu ('Naruku' in Telugu language
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
means 'to axe' or 'to chop') and Chavupadu
Chavupadu
Chavupadu is a village near Amaravati in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. This village has historical significance with Vasireddy clan.Famous Telugu film actor M. Balaiah was born in this village....
('Chavu' means death in Telugu). After this incident the Rajah became repentant and came to Amaravati
Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
Amaravathi is a small town situated on the banks of the River Krishna in the Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is famous for its Amareswara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the famous Pancharamas. Amaravati, also known as Dhanyakataka/Dharanikota was the site of a...
and devoted his entire life, time and revenues to building temples to Lord Siva. He renovated the Amareswaraswamy temple here, got nine learned archakas to be brought for the daily archana of the Lord, and provided them with all the needs of livelihood, including 12 acres (48,562.3 m²) of land to each. The temple as it stands now owes much to him.
Venkatadri was assisted by a very able minister and poet Mulugu Papayaradhya. There were several poets and scholars in the court of Venkatadri.