Musunuri Nayaks: Saga of National Resurgence

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Kakatiya Empire in South India was a glorious kingdom replete with rich treasures and temples. Onslaught of Turkic armies led by the Sultans, Alauddin Khilji and later by Mohammed bin Tughlag resulted in the subjugation of Warangal in 1323 CE. Emperor Prataparudra was captured, Warangal was destroyed and Sanatana Dharma was suffocated. The oppressive reign of Delhi Sultanate became unbearable. A confederation of warriors and kings led by Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka, ruler of Vengi, was formed and the coastal Andhra was liberated after a relentless struggle. Kapaya Nayaka, the cousin brother of Prolaya, continued the war of liberation in Telangana and succeeded in unfurling the Kakatiya flag on the fort of Warangal in 1336 CE. Kapaya Nayaka was martyred in 1367 CE because of the disunity among the Telugu Nayaks and the treachery of the Bahmani Sultan. Although short lived (<50>

Dr. P. ANANDA KUMAR is a botanist who specialized in plant physiology, molecular biology and biotechnology. After serving the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for forty years he retired from service in 2017. Dr. Kumar has an abiding interest in ancient and medieval Indian history. He contributed extensively on various historical subjects in Wikipedia (English and Telugu). He deeply analyzed the post-Kakatiya period of Andhra history and wrote the present book that deals with a watershed moment in the history of South India. The successful rebellion of two cousin brothers, Musunuri Nayaks, against the Delhi Sultanate in 14th century and eventual liberation of Warangal in 1336 CE form the central focus of the book.

The Land, Language and Religion are the most prominent integral factors in human life. When these elements are threatened and life becomes miserable, the strong desire to protect the freedom and property inspires rebellion in the Human beings. Three hundred years before Chhatrapati Shivaji, 250 years before Rana Pratap and 200 years before Sri Krishna Devaraya, two Telugu Nayaks (leaders) made supreme sacrifices to liberate the Telugu Country suffocating under the Muslim yoke and protect Sanatana Dharma from the onslaught of Delhi Sultans. A short but successful chapter of this Andhra history is however relegated to the dark corners of Indian history and is largely unknown to many. This history was made by two cousins, known as Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka and Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka. This small book tries to bring forth the background, the context, identity and success of Musunuri Nayaks.