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{{Short description|Historical kingdom in India}}
{{Use dmy dates}}
{{use Indian English}}
{{Infobox Former Country
|conventional_long_name = Reddi kingdom
|common_name = Reddi kingdom
|era = [[Medieval India]]
|year_start = 1325
|year_end = 1448
|p1 = Kakatiya dynasty
|flag_p1 =
|s1 = Vijayanagara Empire
|flag_s1 = Flag of vijaynagara.jpg
|s2 = Gajapati Empire
|flag_s2 =
|image_map = {{South Asia in 1400|center||{{Annotation|143|172|[[File:Long Rectangle (plain).png|27px]]}}||none}}
|image_map_caption =Reddi Kingdom and contemporary main South Asian polities in 1400 CE.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=39, 147|isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=076}}</ref>
|capital = [[Addanki]] (initial)<br />[[Kondavid Fort|Kondavidu]]<br />[[Rajahmundry]]
|common_languages = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
|religion = [[File:Om.svg|15px]] [[Hinduism]]
|government_type = Monarchy
}}


The '''Reddi kingdom''' or '''Kondavidu Reddi kingdom''' (1325–1448 CE){{sfn|Talbot|2001|p=202}}{{sfn|Farooqui|2011|pp=117–118}} was established in [[South India|southern India]] by Prolaya Vema Reddi. Most of the region that was ruled by the Reddi dynasty is now part of modern-day [[coastal Andhra|coastal]] and central [[Andhra Pradesh]].

==Etymology==
The Telugu term "''Reddi''", whose earlier forms were "''Raddi''", "''Rattodi''", and "''Rattakudi''", linked to the Sanskrit term "''Rashtrakuta''", was used for village headmen, who were responsible for organising the cultivation of the agricultural lands of the villages and collecting taxes. From the seventh century, some of the members of the Rattakudi families had important posts in the administration of the kingdoms.{{sfn|Somasekhara Sarma|1946|pp=70–75}} A copperplate record mentioned the grandfather of the founder of the dynasty as a ''sainya-nayaka'', a commander of the forces.{{sfn|Somasekhara Sarma|1946|pp=66–67}}

==Origin==
The fall of the Kakatiya Kingdom in 1323, after being subject to seizes by the Tughlaq dynasty, led to a political vacuum in the Andhras.The Islamic conquerors failed to keep the region under effective control and constant infighting among themselves coupled with the martial abilities of the local Telugu warriors led to the loss of the entire region by 1347.{{sfn|Talbot|2001|p=176}}{{verify source}}

Whilst, this led to the rise of the [[Musunuri Nayakas|Musunuris]] (initially were based in Coastal Andhra) and [[Recherla Nayakas|Recharlas]] in the [[Telangana]] region, the coastal belt saw the rise of a third warrior lineage—the Reddi''s'' of the Panta clan.{{sfn|Talbot|2001|p=177}}{{verify source}}

Established in about 1325 by Prolaya Vema Reddi,(also known as Komati Vema), his territory extended along the coast to Nellore in the south and Srisailam, in the west. He was succeeded by Anavota Reddi who consolidated the kingdom extensively and established its capital at Kondavidu in Guntur District.{{sfn|Talbot|2001|p=177}}{{verify source}}

By 1395, a second Reddi kingdom was established by a branch of the same lineage, with its capital in Rajahmundry, East Godavari District.{{sfn|Talbot|2001|p=177}}{{verify source}}

The Reddi kings’ ancestors were part of the Kakatiya military and held important posts such as the sainya-nayaka. {{sfn|Talbot|2001|p=177}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sundarayya.org/saraiirasatau-raedadaikaula-nairanaya-camdaraika|title=Reddi Kula Nirnaya Chandrika, Sheshadri Ramana Kavulu}}</ref> {{verify source}}

==Extent of rule==
[[File:Kondavid-drug. Signed 'W.R.'.jpg|thumb|260px|Water colour painting - Kondavidu fort, Reddi Kingdom.]]

The Reddi kings ruled [[coastal Andhra|coastal]] and central [[Andhra Pradesh|Andhra]] for over a hundred years from 1325 to 1448.{{sfn|Rao & Shulman, Srinatha|2012|p=16}} At its maximum extent, the Reddi kingdom stretched from [[Cuttack, Orissa]] to the north, [[Kanchipuram|Kanchi]] to the south and [[Srisailam]] to the west.{{sfn|Raghunadha Rao|1994|p=82}} The initial capital of the kingdom was [[Addanki]].{{sfn|Durga Prasad|1988|p=173}} Later, it was moved to [[Kondavidu]] and a subsidiary branch was established at [[Rajahmundry]].{{sfn|Durga Prasad|1988|pp=174, 177}} The Reddis were known for their fortifications. Two major [[hill fort]]s, one at [[Kondapalli]], 20 km north west of [[Vijayawada]] and another at Kondavidu about 30 km west of [[Guntur]] stand testimony to the fort building skill of the Reddi kings.{{sfn|Raghunadha Rao|1994|p=83}} The forts of [[Bellamkonda]], [[Vinukonda]] and [[Nagarjunakonda]] in the [[Palnadu]] region were also part of the Reddi kingdom.{{sfn|Raghunadha Rao|1994|p=83}} The dynasty remained in power till the middle of the 15th century. In 1424, Kondavidu was annexed to the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] and Rajahmundry was conquered by the [[Gajapati Kingdom|Gajapatis]] some twenty five years after.{{sfn|Rao & Shulman, Srinatha|2012|p=16}} The [[Gajapati Kingdom|Gajapatis]] eventually lost control of coastal Andhra after the defeat of Gajapati Prataprudra Deva by [[Krishna Deva Raya]] of Vijayanagara. The territories of the Reddi kingdom thus came under the control of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]].<ref name="KulkeRothermund2004">{{cite book|last1=Kulke |first1=Hermann |author-link1=Hermann Kulke |last2=Rothermund |first2=Dietmar |author-link2=Dietmar Rothermund |title=A history of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TPVq3ykHyH4C|access-date=16 August 2011 |year=2004 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-32919-4 |page=189}}</ref>

==Religion==
[[File:Srisailam-temple-entrance.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam]]
[[File:Jwala Narasimha Ahobilam.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Lord [[Narasimha]], Ahobilam]]

The Reddi rulers played a prominent part in post-[[Kakatiya dynasty|Kakatiyas]] of [[Telangana]]. The Kakatiya empire came to an end in 1323 after the army of the [[Delhi sultanate]] invaded [[Warangal]] and captured Kakatiya ruler Pratapa Rudra. Warangal fell to the invaders and Ulugh Khan commanded Warangal and Telangana. During this time of foreign invasion and chaos in Telugu country, seeds of revolt were sown by two princes, Annaya Mantri and Kolani Rudradeva.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Amaresh |last1=Datta|first2=Mohan |last2=Lal|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Sasay-Zorgot|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hc5jAAAAMAAJ&q=prolaya+vema+reddy|access-date=5 August 2011|year=1992|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|page=4637|isbn=9780836422832}}</ref>{{qn}}

It was during this chaotic period in Andhra history that Prolaya Vema Reddi established the Reddi kingdom in 1325. The Reddi rulers patronised and protected Hinduism and its institutions. The [[Brahmin]]s were given liberal grants by the Reddi kings and the agraharas of Brahmins were restored. Vedic studies were encouraged. The Hindu temples of [[Srisailam]] and [[Ahobilam]] were provided with more facilities. Prolaya Vema Reddi bestowed a number of [[agraharam|agraharas]] on the Brahmins. He was revered by the title of ''Apratima-Bhudana-Parasurama''.<ref name="Chitnis2003">{{cite book|first=Krishnaji Nageshrao |last=Chitnis|title=Medieval Indian history|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xMcIu7kL42MC&q=prolaya+vema+|access-date=2 September 2011|year=2003|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist|isbn=978-81-7156-062-2|pages=77, 83}}</ref> He commissioned major repairs to the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swami temple, and had a flight of steps built from the [[Krishna River]] to the temple. The [[Narasimha]] Swamy temple at Ahobilam was built during his reign. He built 108 temples for [[Shiva]].{{sfn|Raghunadha Rao|1994|p=89}}

==Literature==

[[Telugu language|Telugu]] literature blossomed under the Reddi kings. The Reddi kings also patronized [[Sanskrit]]. Several of the Reddi kings themselves were distinguished scholars and authors. Kumaragiri Reddi, Kataya Vema Reddi and Pedakomati Vema Reddi were the most outstanding among them. [[Yerrapragada|Errapragada]] (Errana), [[Srinatha]] and [[Potana]] were the remarkable poets of this period. Errapragada, the last of the [[Kavitrayam|Kavitraya]] (Trinity of Poets) was the court poet of Prolaya Vema Reddi. He completed the Telugu translation of the [[Mahabharata]]. He completed the rendition of the [[Aranya Parva]] of Mahabharata left incomplete by [[Nannaya|Nannaya Bhattu]] (Aadi Kavi who started the translation of Mahabharata into Telugu). He wrote Hari Vamsa and Narasimha Purana. Errana's translation of the [[Ramayana]] in ''Chapu'' form (a style of poetry) has been lost.{{sfn|Raghunadha Rao|1994|p=83}}

==Administration==
{|width="250" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; font-family: arial; font-size: 90%; background-color: ##F0F8FF; border: 1px solid #cccccc;"
|-
|colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#99CCCC"|<big>'''Reddi Kings'''{{sfn|Somasekhara Sarma|1946|p=47}}</big> '''(1325–1448 CE)'''
|-
|Prolaya Vema Reddi
|(1325–1353)
|-
|Anavota Reddi
|(1353–1364)
|-
|Anavema Reddi
|(1364–1386)
|-
|Kumaragiri Reddi
|(1386–1402)
|-
|Kataya Vema Reddi
|(1395–1414)
|-
|Peda Komati Vema Reddi
|(1402–1420)
|-
|Racha Vema Reddi
|(1420–1424)
|-
|Allada Reddi
|(1414–1423)
|-
|Veerabhadra Reddi
|(1423–1448)
|}
The administration was carried according to the "Dharmasutras". One-sixth of agriculture surplus was levied as tax. Under the reign of Anavota Reddi custom duties and taxes on trade were lifted. As a result, trade flourished. Sea trade was carried through the port Motupalli. A large number of merchants settled down near it. Celebrating 'Vasantotsavalu' was revived during the rule of Anavema Reddi. The Brahmins were given liberal grants by the Reddi kings. Caste system was observed. Heavy taxes by Racha Vema Reddi made him highly unpopular.{{sfn|Raghunadha Rao|1994|pp=87,88}}
== See also ==
* [[Gadwal Samsthanam]]
* [[Wanaparthy Samsthanam]]
* [[Papannapet Samsthanam]]
* [[History of Andhra Pradesh]]

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Book sources==
* {{citation |last=Farooqui |first=Salma Ahmed |title=A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: From Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sxhAtCflwOMC |year=2011 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-81-317-3202-1}}
* {{citation |first=G. |last=Durga Prasad |title=History of the Andhras up to 1565 A. D. |publisher=P. G. Publishers |location=Guntur |year=1988 |url=https://www.katragadda.com/articles/HistoryOfTheAndhras.pdf |access-date=27 August 2018 |archive-date=14 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214212948/http://www.katragadda.com/articles/HistoryOfTheAndhras.pdf |url-status=dead }}
* {{Citation |last=Raghunadha Rao |first=P. |year=1994|title=History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh: From the earliest times to the present day |publisher=Sterling Publishers|isbn=81-207-1719-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Rao |first=Velcheru Narayana |chapter=Multiple Literary Cultures in Telugu: Court, Temple and Public |editor=Sheldon I. Pollock |title=Literary cultures in history: reconstructions from South Asia |pages=383–436 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ak9csfpY2WoC&pg=PA385 |year=2003 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-22821-4}}
* {{citation |first1=Velcheru Narayana |last1=Rao |first2=David |last2=Shulman |title=Srinatha: The Poet Who Made Gods and Kings |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2012 |isbn=978-0199863044 |url=|ref={{sfnref|Rao & Shulman, Srinatha|2012}}}}
* {{citation |first=Mallampalli |last=Somasekhara Sarma |title=History of the Reddi Kingdoms (Circa. 1325 A.D., to circa. 144B A.D.) |publisher=Andhra University |location=Waltair |year=1946 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32066 |via=archive.org}}
* {{citation |last=Talbot |first=Cynthia |title=Pre-colonial India in Practice: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19803-123-9 |year=2001 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pfAKljlCJq0C}}

[[Category:States and territories established in 1325]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1448]]
[[Category:Telugu society]]
[[Category:Empires and kingdoms of India]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:14th century in India]]
[[Category:15th century in India]]

Reddi Kingdom - Revision history

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