Last reviewed 4 Nov 2026 · 2 min read
1. The Kakatiyas (12th–14th century)
- From Warangal, the Kakatiyas brought most Telugu-speaking lands under one rule; Ganapatideva encouraged trade through Motupalli (Bapatla coast).
- Rudramadevi ruled after him; Marco Polo visited Motupalli.
- Warangal fell to the Delhi Sultanate in 1323.
2. The Reddi kingdoms (1325–1448)
| Point | Fact |
|---|---|
| Founder | Prolaya Vema Reddi (c. 1325) |
| Capitals | Addanki, then Kondavidu (Guntur); a branch at Rajahmundry |
| Literature | Srinatha — court poet (Srungara Naishadham, Kasikhandam); Errana completed the Mahabharata's remaining part |
| Forts | Kondavidu and Kondapalli |
3. Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1646)
| Point | Fact |
|---|---|
| Founders | Harihara I and Bukka I of the Sangama dynasty, 1336, with the guidance of Vidyaranya |
| Capital | Hampi (Vijayanagara), Karnataka |
| Dynasties | Sangama → Saluva → Tuluva → Aravidu |
| Greatest ruler | Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529), Tuluva dynasty |
Krishnadevaraya
- Wrote Amuktamalyada in Telugu — "Desa bhashalandu Telugu lessa" (Telugu is the best among regional languages) is attributed to him.
- Title Andhra Bhoja; his court had the Ashtadiggajas (eight great Telugu poets):
| Poet | Work |
|---|---|
| Allasani Peddana | Manucharitra — called Andhra Kavita Pitamaha |
| Nandi Thimmana | Parijatapaharanam |
| Tenali Ramakrishna | Panduranga Mahatmyam — famous for wit |
| Dhurjati | Sri Kalahasteeswara Satakam |
| Madayyagari Mallana, Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu, Pingali Surana, Ramarajabhushanudu | Other Diggajas |
- He captured Udayagiri and Kondavidu from the Gajapatis of Odisha and visited Tirumala several times.
Decline
- Battle of Talikota (Rakshasi–Tangadi), 1565 — the combined Deccan sultanates defeated Vijayanagara; Hampi was sacked.
- The Aravidu rulers moved the capital to Penukonda (Sri Sathya Sai district) and then Chandragiri (Tirupati district).
- In 1639 the local Nayaka Damarla Venkatadri, under the Chandragiri ruler, granted the English the site of Madras (Fort St. George).
Revision SummaryQuick recap
- Reddi kingdom — Prolaya Vema Reddi; Kondavidu; poet Srinatha.
- Vijayanagara — 1336, Harihara and Bukka; Krishnadevaraya 1509–29.
- Amuktamalyada; Ashtadiggajas; Allasani Peddana — Andhra Kavita Pitamaha.
- Talikota 1565 → Penukonda → Chandragiri; Madras granted 1639.