Fast Facts :

Location : Devarkonda, Nalgonda District

Significance : Importance of Archeology

Introduction :

Devarkonda is a tiny village which is now known as Mandal Headquaters situated in Nalgonda district. Devarakonda is amongst most ancient forts found in the region that belongs to Andhra Pradesh. Devarakonda attracts many tourists even though it is avoided by the department of tourism. Once the fort had glory in its village, now due to the avoidance, the fort is in ruining state.

History Behind The Fort :

This is the most amazing place especially for those people who likes to explore the past, roam around the historic places and feel the pleasure to be in the ancient time. The temples that were constructed by Maada Naidu of Lord Rama and Lord Shiva are still present in these premises. The pond present inside the fort gives the picturesque view to the visitors. A very good spot to enjoy is the Parvathalu Cheruvu just at the distance of few kilometers away from the fort.

The fort was constructed back in the ancient period of 13th - 14th century. Deverakonda fort depicts the prosperous kingdom that was established during the rule of Padma Nayaka Veluma Rajas. The only ruler of the Devarkonda fort was Padma Nayaka Veluma Rajas since the year 1278 up to 1482 AD that made Devarkonda as their fort.

The later period of the Devarakonda fort was dominated by Maada Naidu who belongs to the eight kings amongst the Padma Nayaka rulers. He was educationist and a brave warrior besides being a very king ruler. It was during his rule that this fort was well established centre of many Cultural heritage and many temples had flourished in it. Maada Naidu was amongst the one who has done lots of development in the fort like the way of stairs that takes you to the Patala ganga that is situated in the Srisailam and the even the temple of Umamaheshwara was also reconstructed in the his region. Maada Naidu was responsible for the successful and prospered kingdom and for the joy People enjoyed the glory in the fort.

After the Maada Naidu, the threads of Devarakonda Kongdom were submitted to Maada Naidu’s son, Peda Vedagiri Naidu later than his demise. Vedagiri Naidu was also amongst the brave king just like his dad, Maada Naidu had ruled over the empire for around 26 years i.e. in between 1410 to 1384. During his rule, the kingdom was more flourished by several developmental activities and the Devarakonda was establishing as a successful kingdom and stepping on the ladder of Success.

After this, the successive Naidu i.e. Son of Peda Vedagiri, started ruling this kingdom after his demise. He ruled the region for around 1410 and 1425 for fifteen years, in addition to this, he maintained the glory of kingdom that was built by his ancestors. He had handled all the situations very well that had came up a chaotic condition in the southern region of India due to the Bahamani sultans. After his rule, the kingdom was passed to his youngest son, Lingama Naidu who rules for a very long period i.e. from 1425 to 1475, which is considered to be the longest time for any of the Naidu’s rule. During this period of his rule, he was victorious over the Vijayanagar rulers who attempt to force this kingdom to come under their rule.

The Vijayanagar kings tied with Bahanani Sultans where as the Lingama Naidu got allied with Great Kalinga King kapileshwara Gajapathi. Lingama Naidu was then successful to get victory against the Bahamani Sultanas and started occupying the Vijayanagar Empire. It was during this region that the Bhiva Nagari was merged with Devarakonda fort. After this, there was continuous attack from Bahamani Rulers and unfortunately Lingama turn out to be the last emperor amongst the Naidu’s to rule this fort. In the later period, the kingdom was ruled by Velluma Raja and it was under other’s supervision. Thus, the Devarakonda was prosperous throughout the voyage of the rulers who were ruling the fort.