Nalgonda
History
Palaeolithic Age
During this period, people fashioned tools and weapons by chipping hard stones of convenient size and shape. This feature is testified by the findings of unifacial Palaeolithic implements of the Soan type at Yeleshwaram.
Neolithic Age
Traces of Neolithic culture were found at Chota Yelupu, where sling stones and other objects of interest were unearthed. The existence of Megalithic culture was revealed by the discovery of innumerable burials at various places like Tipparti, Nakrekal, Nalgonda etc.
Mauryas and Satavahanas (230 BCE - 218 CE)
The political history of the district commences with the Mauryas. Mauryas, during the reign of Asoka the Great held their sway over this region. Later the region came under the overlordship of the Satavahanas who ruled between 230 BCE - 218 CE. It was during this period the region established trade contacts with the Roman empire.
kshvakus (227 - 306)
The Ikshvakus attained control over the region and ruled with their capital Vijayapuri. During this period Sakas and Scythians settled in this region. Buddhism flourished during thi
Pallavas and Vishnukundinis
After the Ikshvakus, Pallavas and Vishnukundins fought for supremacy over the region. Luck favoured the Vishnukundins in the form of Samudragupta's invasion of the South. Vishnukundins ruled from first quarter of the fifth century to the first decade of the seventh century. Later Kubja Vishnuvardhana ruled this territory with Vengi as his capital.
Rashtrakutas
A major portion of the district appears to have passed from the Chalukyas of Badami to the Rashtrakutas. Rashtrakutas fell in 973 and gave room to the Chalukyas of Kalyani. The sway of the Chalukyas continued until the end of the 12th century.
Medieval period
The district passed under the control of the Kakatiyas from the western Chalukyas. During Prataparudra's time the kingdom was annexed to the Tughluq empire in 1323. During Muhammad bin Tughluq's period, Musunuri chief Kapayanayaka ceded a part of Nalgonda to Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah. Later the region came under the rule of Recherlas of Rachakonda and Devarakonda. During Ahmad Shah I's period the region was annexed to Bahmani kingdom. Jalal Khan in 1455 declared himself king at Nalgonda, but it was a shortlived affair. The region was brought back to the Bahmani kingdom.
Qutubshahi
During the time of the Bahmani Sultan Shihabud-din Mahmun Sultan Quli was appointed as tarafdar of Telangana. From him the region was taken by his son Jamshid. Later the district remained under the control of Qutub Shahis until 1687.
Modern Period: Mughals and Asaf Jahis
Nizam-ul-Mulk (Asaf Jah I) defeated Mubasiz Khan at Shaker Khere in Berar and ruled the Deccan in an autonomous capacity. This district, like the other districts of Telangana, passed under the Asaf Jahis and remained under them for a period of nearly two hundred and twenty five years.
Interesting Places
Ethipothala Waterfalls
These beautiful and refreshing waterfalls are about 60metres high originate from the Chandravanka river. They are about 21 km east of Nagarjuna Konda (Nalgonda District) and named after a priest (ethi) who meditated in the caves above (apathalla-upper place). There are also some cave temples in the area, worshipped by the locals. Eleven km. Downstream from the dam are the Ethipothala waterfalls, set in a beautiful valley. The Chandravankas stream here plunges from a height of 21.3 meters into a lagoon, and flows on through a green valley much frequented by tourists, the Ethipothala waterfalls are a radiant sight of the power and beauty of nature.
Ethipothala also boasts of a crocodile breeding centre where you can get a fascinating glimpse of these reptiles from close quarters and observe their behavior in their natural habitat.
Ethipothala bounded on the North by Medak and Warangal districts, on the South by Guntur and partly by Mahbubnagar districts; on the East by Khammam and Krishna districts, on the West by Rangareddy and Mahabubnagar districts.
Bhongir Fort
This fort is located upon a single hill at Bhongir. More than 500 feet high and spread over an area of 40 acres, Bhongir fort was built on an isolated rock by the western Chalukya ruler Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI and was thus named after him as Tribhuvanagiri. This name gradually became Bhuvanagiri and subsequently Bhongir. At the foot of the fortified rocks 609.6 meters above the sea level stands the town of Bhongir. The splendid historical fort with the awe-inspiring rock and the aesthetically fortified courts which have stood the ravages of time stir the imagination of the tourists. The Bala Hisar or citadel on the top of the hill gives a bird's eye view of the neighbouring area. The fort is associated with the herioc queen Rudramadevi and her grandson Prataparudra's rule.
Kolanupaka
Kolanupaka was made the capital of the Kalyani Chalkyas. Tourists can see Kolanupaka Museum and Kolanupaka Jain Temple at Kolupaka.
Kolanupaka Museum
Kolanupaka came into prominence when it was made the capital of the Kalyani Chalukyas in the 11th century AD. The State Department of Archaeology and Museums established a sculptural gallery, which exhibits artefacts collected from the various historical monuments of Kolanupaka. Artefacts from both the Chalukyan and Kakatiyan styles are displayed in the museum. The museum has more than 100 images collected around Kolanupaka.
Kolanupaka Jain Temple
Situated here is the renowned Jain Mandir with a 1.5 metre high idol of Lord Mahavira, built during the Rastrkuta-Kalyani Chalukyas times. Other attractions here include the Sri Veeranarayana Swamy temple built around 1104 A.D., Someswara Swamy temple which is a splendid example of the Chalukya architecture. Kolanpaka Museum where artefacts from the Chalukyan and Kakatiyan period are on display.
Meenakshi Agasteswara Temple
This town is located at the confluence of the Krishna and Musi rivers. The place is known for the temple of Sri Meenakshi Agasteswara Swamy which was constructed by the Kakatiya rulers in the 12th century. The significance of the temple is that there is a crevice on top of the Shivalinga which is always full of water. Even if some water is removed the original level of the water is maintained. There is no logical reason that can explain this phenomenon especially since the Shivalinga is situated about 120 metres above the water level in the river.
Panchala Temple
The Pachchala Someswara and Chaya Someswara temples. built in the 11 th 12th centuries are situated here. The former has excellent inscriptions on the pillars and walls, depicting stories ITom the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Erotic images on the walls are similar to the ones found in Khajuraho. Beautiful architecture is also the hallmark of Chaya Someswara temple besides an unexplained phenomenon of shadow of a pillar visible behind the Shivalinga, origin of which is a mystery.
Nearest tourist place is Gajulabanda:
Extensive Buddhist structures have been revealed here which include a Stupa, Vihara complex and a Chaitya. The noteworthy aspect of Stupa is it is devoid of ayaka pillars unlike those at Amaravati & Nagarjunakonda. Two sculptured lions carved in limestone have also been found here apart from rich collection of antiquities comprising of stucco figurines.
Pochampally
Pochampally is historical place. Acharya Vinobha Bhave visited this place and started Bhudan Movement here. Pochampalle situated at a distance of about 14.48 kilometres from Bhongir and 9.66 kilometers from the Bibinagar railway station. Pochampalle assumes significance as it is the place of origin of the popular Bhoodan movement led by Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 1950, when offerings of land were donated to the landless poor on his plea. The impetus to a great movement led by Vinobaji has a humble but a noble beginning at this place. It so happened in 1951 that during Vinobhaji's tour, 2 Harijans complained that they did not have any land at all. Then a local Deshmuk readily offered 100 acres of his own land for the distribution among the poor. This is said to have given Vinobaji the idea of propagating Bhoodan Yagna. Out of 13,100 acres of donated land nearly 8,290 acres have been distributed among the landless poor.
Ramagiri Ramalayam
This is the site of the Sri Seeta Ramachandra Devasthanam, which was shifted here about 200 years ago from Malboului. Over the Years , an idol of Andalamma (Godavari ) has been installed in the same premise. Presently, Andalu Kalayanam is celebrated on a grand scale. Nearest Tourist Place is Sri Rama Temple. A temple of Sri Rama is also situated here. It is also historical place of Buddist sculptures.
Yadagirigutta
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple of Yadgirigutta siuated majestically atop the Raigiri hill is a favorite pilgrim centre.Long ago Sri Yada Maharshi son of Sri Rushyashrunga Maharshi with the Blessings of Anjaneya Swamy had performed great penance for Lord Narasimha Swamy (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) in a cave on the hill currently known as Yadagirigutta. Pleased with his deep devotion, Lord Narasimha appeared before him in five different forms as Sri Jwala Narsimha, Sri Yogananda Narasimha, Sri Ugra Narasimha, Sri Gandaberunda Narasimha, and Sri Laksmi Narasimha.According to a legend a prince by the name Yadava, a devout follower of Lord Vishnu craved for his darshan. To attain this, he did penance on this hill and the Lord granted him darshan. Yadav pleaded the Lord live here permanently on the hill, thus the hill got its name Yadgiri. The sanctum sanctorum is nestled insiqe a cave formed under a huge rock. It is said that the Lord fulfills all wishes and even incuraqle diseases get cured if the devotees worship the Lord here for 40 days.
posted by suresh prasad @ 5:54 AM
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