Gandikota, Anantapur
About Gandikota
History
Early history
Gandikota is a village on the right bank of the river penna, 15km from jammalamudugu in kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh ,India Gandikota area was first identified and made Sand fort in 1123 by Kaka Raja of nearby Bommanapalle village and a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, Kalyani Chalukya ruler. Gandikota came under the rule of Kakatiya dynasty from 1239 A.D to 1304 A.D and ruled by their various subordinates. It is captured by Tughlaq dynasty and was under their rule till 1343 A.D. Gandikota became the capital of Pemmasani Kamma Nayakas who ruled the fort and Gandikota region for more than 300 years. In 1652 A.D Pemmasani Timma Nayaka lost Gandikota battle with the attack of Mir Jumla, military general of Qutb shahi dynasty. Gandikota then came under the power of Golconda sultanate and Timma Nayaka became their feudatory king. After the short ruling of Abdul Nawab Khan, ruler of kadapa it became the part of British IndiaThe village transformed into major fort after the emergence of Pemmasani Kamma Nayakas.Recently, Tavva Obul Reddy, a Mydukur-based historian, discovered a copper plate inscription on the history of Gandikonda Fort. The inscription dates back to 16th century.Vemana, the Telugu poet, native of Kadapa district and believed to have lived in Gandikota area for a short period. Jean Baptiste Tavernier visited the fort during his travel to Golconda sultanate.Efforts are being put forth to give Gandikota a world heritage status.