Musunuri Kaapaaneedu
Encyclopedia
Musunuri Kaapaaneedu also known as 'Kaapaya Nayak', Krishna Nayak or Kanya Nayak, was the chosen leader of the confederacy of several sovereign Telugu
nobles who united to liberate Telugu
country from Muslim rule and protect Hindu
dharma. He ruled Warangal (modern-day Andhra Pradesh
)and Telangana
from 1327 to 1370 CE
rule and liberated their region from them. Although short-lived, the reign of Kaapaaneedu inspired the founding of the Vijayanagar Empire, thus protecting Hinduism
in south India
for over three centuries. Kaapaaneedu had the titles Managanti Puravaradheeswara, Kaanchirakshapalaka, Vishamadaadi Panchala, Iruvetthuganda, Gandagopala, and Moorurayajagadala, probably given by the Kakatiya
emperor in recognition of his services. He was a devotee of Visweswara.
s into south India
commenced from the time of Ala-ud-din Khilji who occupied Devagiri (Daulatabad
) in AD 1296. The conquest of south India
was completed when Ulugh Khan ascended the Delhi throne under the name Muhammad bin Tughluq
and sent Malik Kafur
to subdue the south (Deccan). Warangal
was captured in 1323 CE and King Prataparudra was taken prisoner.
The following years witnessed all round misery and plunder. The Telugu
country was in great turmoil and ferment. Two patriotic souls, Annaya Mantri and Kolani Rudradeva united the Nayak
chieftains. They instilled a sense of unity and sacrifice to protect the Telugu country. A dynamic Nayak by name Musunuri Prolaneedu was chosen as their leader. He was the son of Pochinayaka who had three brothers namely Devanayaka, Kammanayaka and Rajanayaka. The son of Devanayaka was Kapayanayaka (Kaapaaneedu) who was the right hand man of Prolaya. Battles were fought at all levels and independence was achieved after many a sacrifice. Kaluvacheru inscriptions mention that fifty-seven Nayaks had sworn their allegiance to him. The Nayak armies liberated Warangal
by 1326 CE. The cousins strengthened the forts, rebuilt temples, restored village grants to Brahmin
s and encouraged arts and literature. The ageing Prolaya retired to Rekapalli fort (East Godavari
district) after vesting the power with Kaapaya.
including Bidar
. He sought the help of the Hoysala king in this endeavour. Kaapaya succeeded in capturing the Warangal
fort and liberating Telangana
from the invaders. The flag of Andhradesa was unfurled on the Warangal
fort. Kaapaya was given the titles “Andhradesaadheeswara” and “Andhrasuratraana”. The Telugu empire extended from Srikakulam
to Bidar
and Siripur to Kanchi. Kaapaya actively encouraged other Hindu kingdoms (Kampili, Dwarasamudram and Hoysala) to unite and help each other against the Sultanate. Vema Reddy of Addanki
marched in defence of Kampili and repulsed the Sultan’s attack. Kaapaya and Vema Reddy helped Somadeva of Araveedu to liberate many forts in the Krishna
-Tungabhadra region.
Kaapaya was always wary of attacks by the Sultan’s armies from the north. A new and bigger threat loomed on the horizon. A revolt by a group of Muslim nobles against Muhammad bin Tughluq
that began in Devagiri in 1345 culminated in the foundation of the Bahmani kingdom by Hasan Gangu
. He assumed the name Alauddin Bahman Shah and moved his capital to the more centrally located Gulbarga
in 1347.
which was under the control of Vema Reddy. Vema Reddy sought the help of Kaapaya who intervened and forced Singama to accept the confederation. Singama was unable to reconcile to this act. Singama and his sons induced Alauddin to interfere in the affairs of Warangal
. The Bahmani king was only too eager to oblige. Telangana
was invaded in 1350. Kaapaya’s army fought an unexpected but heroic battle, in vain. He concluded a treaty with Alauddin and surrendered the Kaulas fort.
The death of Muhammad bin Tughluq
in 1351 emboldened Alauddin to achieve his goal of expanding his kingdom in Deccan. He marched into Telangana
in 1355 and captured many forts including Bhuvanagiri. Mohammed Shah succeeded Alauddin. At this time Kaapaya sent his son Vinayaka Deva to liberate Kaulas and Bhuvanagiri from the Bahmanis. The Vijayanagar
king Bukka Raya actively assisted him in this campaign. Vinayaka Deva had initial successes but was eventually defeated, captured and killed, in a cruel and ghastly manner.
Kaapaya along with Bukka Raya planned a great expedition against the Bahmanis. Mohammed Shah got enraged and invaded Telangana
again. Golconda
and Warangal were subdued. Bukka Raya died during this time. Lack of support from Vijayanagar and non-cooperation from the Devarakonda and Rachakonda Velama chiefs also contributed to the fall of Warangal
. Historians feel that the Velama chiefs surreptitiously helped the Bahmani king. Golconda was chosen as the border between the Bahmani and Warangal
kingdoms in 1365. Kaapaya had to present the turquoise throne and large amounts of tribute to Mohammed Shah.
Singama Nayaka's sons took advantage of the situation and declared independence. Singama's sons Anapota Nayaka and Rao Madhanedu marched against Warangal
ruled by a weakened Kaapaya. Kaapaya met Anapota Nayaka’s army at Bhimavaram .The armies clashed fiercely , Kaapaya met Anapota in a personal combat and became a martyr . Thus ended the short but glorious reign (1326–1370) of the great patriot Kapaaneedu.
. These Nayaks formed the bulwark of the Vijayanagar empire and defended South India
and the Hindu
religion. Kaapaya's territories were occupied by Recherla Velama
chiefs but the relatives of Kaapaya such as Mummadi and Anavota briefly controlled small areas in the coastal districts which were eventually absorbed into the Reddy
kingdom.
Telugu people
The Telugu people or Telugu Prajalu are an ethnic group of India. They are the native speakers of the Telugu language, the most commonly spoken language in India after Hindi and Bengali...
nobles who united to liberate Telugu
Telugu people
The Telugu people or Telugu Prajalu are an ethnic group of India. They are the native speakers of the Telugu language, the most commonly spoken language in India after Hindi and Bengali...
country from Muslim rule and protect Hindu
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
dharma. He ruled Warangal (modern-day 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...
)and Telangana
Telangana
Telangana is a region in the present state of Andhra Pradesh, India and formerly was part of Hyderabad state which was ruled by Nizam. It is bordered with the states of Maharashtra on the north and north-west, Karnataka on the west, Chattisgarh on the north-east and Orissa to the east...
from 1327 to 1370 CE
Introduction
Kaapaneedu was one of the few, successful kings who revolted against MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
rule and liberated their region from them. Although short-lived, the reign of Kaapaaneedu inspired the founding of the Vijayanagar Empire, thus protecting Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
in south India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
for over three centuries. Kaapaaneedu had the titles Managanti Puravaradheeswara, Kaanchirakshapalaka, Vishamadaadi Panchala, Iruvetthuganda, Gandagopala, and Moorurayajagadala, probably given by the Kakatiya
Kakatiya
The Kakatiya dynasty was an Indian dynasty that ruled most parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 CE to 1323 CE, with Orugallu , now Warangal , as its capital. Orugallu is also called 'Eka Sila Nagaram'...
emperor in recognition of his services. He was a devotee of Visweswara.
The revolt
The forays of MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s into south India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
commenced from the time of Ala-ud-din Khilji who occupied Devagiri (Daulatabad
Daulatabad
Daulatabad , is a 14th century fort city in Maharashtra, India, about 16 kilometers northwest of Aurangabad...
) in AD 1296. The conquest of south India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
was completed when Ulugh Khan ascended the Delhi throne under the name Muhammad bin Tughluq
Muhammad bin Tughluq
Muhammad bin Tughluq was the Turkic Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351. He was the eldest son of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq.He was born in Kotla Tolay Khan in Multan. His wife was daughter of the raja of Dipalpur...
and sent Malik Kafur
Malik Kafur
Malik Kafur, General , or Chand Ram as his name was originally, was a slave who became a head general in the army of Alauddin Khilji, ruler of the Delhi sultanate from 1296 to 1316 AD. He was originally seized by Alauddin's army after the army conquered the city of Khambhat...
to subdue the south (Deccan). Warangal
Warangal
Warangal is a city and a municipal corporation in Warangal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal is located northeast of the state capital of Hyderabad and is the administrative headquarters of Warangal District. This district is a combination of three cities: Warangal,...
was captured in 1323 CE and King Prataparudra was taken prisoner.
The following years witnessed all round misery and plunder. The Telugu
Telugu people
The Telugu people or Telugu Prajalu are an ethnic group of India. They are the native speakers of the Telugu language, the most commonly spoken language in India after Hindi and Bengali...
country was in great turmoil and ferment. Two patriotic souls, Annaya Mantri and Kolani Rudradeva united the Nayak
Nayak (ethnic group)
-History and origin:The word nayak means a head of a regiment. This word is derived from the Sanskrit senanayaka, which means head of a regiment. The community trace there descent from the Vaghela Rajputs who converted to Islam in the 12th Century. They established a number of petty states in...
chieftains. They instilled a sense of unity and sacrifice to protect the Telugu country. A dynamic Nayak by name Musunuri Prolaneedu was chosen as their leader. He was the son of Pochinayaka who had three brothers namely Devanayaka, Kammanayaka and Rajanayaka. The son of Devanayaka was Kapayanayaka (Kaapaaneedu) who was the right hand man of Prolaya. Battles were fought at all levels and independence was achieved after many a sacrifice. Kaluvacheru inscriptions mention that fifty-seven Nayaks had sworn their allegiance to him. The Nayak armies liberated Warangal
Warangal
Warangal is a city and a municipal corporation in Warangal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal is located northeast of the state capital of Hyderabad and is the administrative headquarters of Warangal District. This district is a combination of three cities: Warangal,...
by 1326 CE. The cousins strengthened the forts, rebuilt temples, restored village grants to Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s and encouraged arts and literature. The ageing Prolaya retired to Rekapalli fort (East Godavari
East Godavari
East Godavari District is a district situated on the northeast of the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Its district headquarters is Kakinada. It is the second richest district in the whole country...
district) after vesting the power with Kaapaya.
The reign
The undaunted sultan led a huge army southward in 1327 CE but had to make a hasty retreat. Kaapaya utilized the opportunity to liberate the whole of TelanganaTelangana
Telangana is a region in the present state of Andhra Pradesh, India and formerly was part of Hyderabad state which was ruled by Nizam. It is bordered with the states of Maharashtra on the north and north-west, Karnataka on the west, Chattisgarh on the north-east and Orissa to the east...
including Bidar
Bidar
Bidar is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the north-eastern part of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of the Bidar District....
. He sought the help of the Hoysala king in this endeavour. Kaapaya succeeded in capturing the Warangal
Warangal
Warangal is a city and a municipal corporation in Warangal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal is located northeast of the state capital of Hyderabad and is the administrative headquarters of Warangal District. This district is a combination of three cities: Warangal,...
fort and liberating Telangana
Telangana
Telangana is a region in the present state of Andhra Pradesh, India and formerly was part of Hyderabad state which was ruled by Nizam. It is bordered with the states of Maharashtra on the north and north-west, Karnataka on the west, Chattisgarh on the north-east and Orissa to the east...
from the invaders. The flag of Andhradesa was unfurled on the Warangal
Warangal
Warangal is a city and a municipal corporation in Warangal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal is located northeast of the state capital of Hyderabad and is the administrative headquarters of Warangal District. This district is a combination of three cities: Warangal,...
fort. Kaapaya was given the titles “Andhradesaadheeswara” and “Andhrasuratraana”. The Telugu empire extended from Srikakulam
Srikakulam
Srikakulam is a town, municipality and headquarters of Srikakulam district in the north-eastern Andhra Pradesh, India. It is part of Srikakulam Assembly constituency and Srikakulam Parliament Constituency. Srikakulam was formerly called as Gulshanabad during Muslim rule and was headquarter of...
to Bidar
Bidar
Bidar is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the north-eastern part of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of the Bidar District....
and Siripur to Kanchi. Kaapaya actively encouraged other Hindu kingdoms (Kampili, Dwarasamudram and Hoysala) to unite and help each other against the Sultanate. Vema Reddy of Addanki
Addanki
Addanki , is a town and a Mandal headquarters in Prakasam district, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.- Geography :Addanki town located at...
marched in defence of Kampili and repulsed the Sultan’s attack. Kaapaya and Vema Reddy helped Somadeva of Araveedu to liberate many forts in the Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
-Tungabhadra region.
Kaapaya was always wary of attacks by the Sultan’s armies from the north. A new and bigger threat loomed on the horizon. A revolt by a group of Muslim nobles against Muhammad bin Tughluq
Muhammad bin Tughluq
Muhammad bin Tughluq was the Turkic Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351. He was the eldest son of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq.He was born in Kotla Tolay Khan in Multan. His wife was daughter of the raja of Dipalpur...
that began in Devagiri in 1345 culminated in the foundation of the Bahmani kingdom by Hasan Gangu
Hasan Gangu
Abu'l Muzaffar Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah , whose original name was Hasan Gangu or Hansan Kanku and also bore the title of Zafar Khan was the founder of the Bahmani sultanate.-Ancestry and early life:...
. He assumed the name Alauddin Bahman Shah and moved his capital to the more centrally located Gulbarga
Gulbarga
Gulbarga is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Gulbarga District. It was formerly part of Nizam's Hyderabad state...
in 1347.
The decline
The unity fostered by the Musunuri cousins among the Nayaks started showing strains, fuelled by envy. The Recherla Velama Nayaks led by Singama Nayaka raided AddankiAddanki
Addanki , is a town and a Mandal headquarters in Prakasam district, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.- Geography :Addanki town located at...
which was under the control of Vema Reddy. Vema Reddy sought the help of Kaapaya who intervened and forced Singama to accept the confederation. Singama was unable to reconcile to this act. Singama and his sons induced Alauddin to interfere in the affairs of Warangal
Warangal
Warangal is a city and a municipal corporation in Warangal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal is located northeast of the state capital of Hyderabad and is the administrative headquarters of Warangal District. This district is a combination of three cities: Warangal,...
. The Bahmani king was only too eager to oblige. Telangana
Telangana
Telangana is a region in the present state of Andhra Pradesh, India and formerly was part of Hyderabad state which was ruled by Nizam. It is bordered with the states of Maharashtra on the north and north-west, Karnataka on the west, Chattisgarh on the north-east and Orissa to the east...
was invaded in 1350. Kaapaya’s army fought an unexpected but heroic battle, in vain. He concluded a treaty with Alauddin and surrendered the Kaulas fort.
The death of Muhammad bin Tughluq
Muhammad bin Tughluq
Muhammad bin Tughluq was the Turkic Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351. He was the eldest son of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq.He was born in Kotla Tolay Khan in Multan. His wife was daughter of the raja of Dipalpur...
in 1351 emboldened Alauddin to achieve his goal of expanding his kingdom in Deccan. He marched into Telangana
Telangana
Telangana is a region in the present state of Andhra Pradesh, India and formerly was part of Hyderabad state which was ruled by Nizam. It is bordered with the states of Maharashtra on the north and north-west, Karnataka on the west, Chattisgarh on the north-east and Orissa to the east...
in 1355 and captured many forts including Bhuvanagiri. Mohammed Shah succeeded Alauddin. At this time Kaapaya sent his son Vinayaka Deva to liberate Kaulas and Bhuvanagiri from the Bahmanis. The Vijayanagar
Vijayanagara Empire
The Vijayanagara Empire , referred as the Kingdom of Bisnaga by the Portuguese, was an empire based in South Indian in the Deccan Plateau region. It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Yadava lineage. The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts...
king Bukka Raya actively assisted him in this campaign. Vinayaka Deva had initial successes but was eventually defeated, captured and killed, in a cruel and ghastly manner.
Kaapaya along with Bukka Raya planned a great expedition against the Bahmanis. Mohammed Shah got enraged and invaded Telangana
Telangana
Telangana is a region in the present state of Andhra Pradesh, India and formerly was part of Hyderabad state which was ruled by Nizam. It is bordered with the states of Maharashtra on the north and north-west, Karnataka on the west, Chattisgarh on the north-east and Orissa to the east...
again. Golconda
Golconda
Golconda may be:Places:* Golkonda, ruined city and fortress in India* Golconda, Illinois, town in the United States* Golconda, Nevada, former town in the United StatesOther:* Golconda...
and Warangal were subdued. Bukka Raya died during this time. Lack of support from Vijayanagar and non-cooperation from the Devarakonda and Rachakonda Velama chiefs also contributed to the fall of Warangal
Warangal
Warangal is a city and a municipal corporation in Warangal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal is located northeast of the state capital of Hyderabad and is the administrative headquarters of Warangal District. This district is a combination of three cities: Warangal,...
. Historians feel that the Velama chiefs surreptitiously helped the Bahmani king. Golconda was chosen as the border between the Bahmani and Warangal
Warangal
Warangal is a city and a municipal corporation in Warangal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal is located northeast of the state capital of Hyderabad and is the administrative headquarters of Warangal District. This district is a combination of three cities: Warangal,...
kingdoms in 1365. Kaapaya had to present the turquoise throne and large amounts of tribute to Mohammed Shah.
Singama Nayaka's sons took advantage of the situation and declared independence. Singama's sons Anapota Nayaka and Rao Madhanedu marched against Warangal
Warangal
Warangal is a city and a municipal corporation in Warangal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal is located northeast of the state capital of Hyderabad and is the administrative headquarters of Warangal District. This district is a combination of three cities: Warangal,...
ruled by a weakened Kaapaya. Kaapaya met Anapota Nayaka’s army at Bhimavaram .The armies clashed fiercely , Kaapaya met Anapota in a personal combat and became a martyr . Thus ended the short but glorious reign (1326–1370) of the great patriot Kapaaneedu.
The aftermath
After the demise of Kaapaya Nayak there was an en masse migration of Nayaks to the Vijayanagara EmpireVijayanagara Empire
The Vijayanagara Empire , referred as the Kingdom of Bisnaga by the Portuguese, was an empire based in South Indian in the Deccan Plateau region. It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Yadava lineage. The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts...
. These Nayaks formed the bulwark of the Vijayanagar empire and defended South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
and the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religion. Kaapaya's territories were occupied by Recherla Velama
Velama
Velama or the Velama Doralu is a social group found mainly in Andhra Pradesh. Velamas are classed as "Upper Shudras". The history of Velama's is as old as Telugu bravery. Military exploits of Velamas form an important part of Telugu tradition, history and folklore...
chiefs but the relatives of Kaapaya such as Mummadi and Anavota briefly controlled small areas in the coastal districts which were eventually absorbed into the Reddy
Reddy
Reddy is a social group or caste of India, predominantly inhabiting Andhra Pradesh. They are enlisted as a forward caste by the government. Traditionally, they are a high-caste community of nobility, warriors and cultivators. According to academics, they were a warrior caste in the remote past and...
kingdom.