History of telangana ( from Vedic age to Gupta)

History of Telangana ( from Vedic age to Gupta)

Telangana, as a geographical and political entity was born on June 2, 2014 as the 29th and the youngest state in Union of India. However, as an economic, social, cultural and historical entity it has a glorious history of at least two thousand five hundred years or more. Megalithic stone structures like cairns, cists, dolmens and menhirs found in several districts of Telangana show that there were human habitations in this part of the country thousands of years ago. Remnants of iron Ore smelting found at many places demonstrate the hoary roots of artisanship and tool making in Telangana for at least two thousand years. The reference to Asmaka Janapada, part of present Telangana, as one of the 16 Janapadas in ancient India proves that there existed an advanced stage of Society.

One of the first five disciples of the Buddha, Kondanna is a typical name from Telangana and though there is no exact information about his native place, the earliest known Buddhist Township of Kondapur in Medak district is believed to be after him. The Buddha himself famously acknowledged that it was Kondanna who understood him properly. The Buddhist sources say that Bavari, a Brahmin from Badanakurti in Karimnagar sent his disciples to all the way to north India to learn Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism and spread the message in this region. Megasthenes/”>Megasthenes, who visited India in the 4th century BCE, wrote that there were 30 fortified towns of Andhras and a majority of them were in Telangana. In the historical age, Telangana had given rise to mighty empires and kingdoms like the Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Ikshvakus, Vishnukundins, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Qutb Shahis and Asif Jahis.

The emergence and flourishing of these powerful political formations is in itself a proof of existence of a sturdy economic, social and cultural structure. Thus Telangana has been a vibrant social entity by the time of the Buddha and continued to be so for the next two and a half millennia. Endowed with such rich cultural heritage, despite the attempts by historians and scholars from Andhra region to obfuscate and erase its history, Telangana always retained and fought for its self respect and self rule. Due to the official efforts to ignore, erase, belittle and look down Telangana history and turn it into an appendage or a footnote, particularly during 1956-2014, much of History of telangana is either not properly researched or not recorded even if it was studied. Telangana rose again and secured its political identity now and is in the process of resurrecting its own glorious past. Here is an attempt to reconstruct the history of Telangana, the wonderful musical instrument with a thousand strings.

Pre-History of telangana (Up to 1000 BCE)

Even though extensive exploration has not been done, particularly subjected to neglect after 1956, the archaeological department under the Nizams’ government had done tremendous work in discovering the traces of pre-historical human habitations in Telangana. These studies found that human habitations in parts of Telangana can be seen from the Paleolithic age consistently. Either the same locations or extended locations showed people continued to live and develop through the later stages of Mesolithic, Neolithic and Metal ages. Excavations discovered stone tools, microliths, cists, dolmens, cairns and menhirs. All the ten districts of Telangana showed these traces even when a proper, scientific and official research and excavations have not been done and thanks to the efforts of either the first generation researchers before 1950s or individual amateur explorations.

Pre-Satavahanas (1000 BCE – 300 BCE) History of telangana

In the historical age beginning from 1000 BCE there are some references of Telangana as a geographical entity as well as Telugu as a linguistic entity, in the contemporary Buddhist and mythological texts. However, it needs a detailed research to discover finer aspects and establish the stage of development of pre-Satavahana society. Thought the official research into this aspect was stalled for about six decades, some enthusiasts like Thakur Rajaram Singh, B N Sastry and Dr D Raja Reddy did their own painstaking explorations and showed that there was a flourishing society before the emergence of the Satavahanas. Particularly Dr Raja Reddy proved with numismatic evidence that there were rulers before the Satavahanas with Kotalingala as capital and issued their own coins. In these excavations the coins of Gobada, Naarana, Kamvaaya and Samagopa were discovered and at least two other rulers’ names came to Light. Thus Telangana happens to be the first region in the subcontinent to have issued punch-marked coins with even insignia. The Buddhist texts as well as accounts of foreigners like Magesthenes and Arrian talked about this region as having thirty forts, many of which have to be explored.

Satavahanas (250 BCE – 200 CE) History of telangana

The Satavahanas rose to a political power, after the fall of the Mauryan Empire. Koti Lingala seems to be one of the 30 cities of Satavahana dynasty. Excavations revealed brick wells, coins belonging to pre-Satavahana period, Gobhada and Samagopa. It is believed that the place is the site of hermitage of sage Bhavari. Several coins of Simukha, the founder of the Satavahana dynasty, and those of other early rulers like Kanha and Satakarni I were found .

The Deccan, during this period was an emporium of inland and maritime trade. The region between the rivers of Godavari and Krishna was full of Ports and throbbing with activity. There was plentiful of currency to facilitate trade and the people entered upon a period of great industrial, commercial and maritime activity. Buddhism flourished throughout the period and the rulers were also devoted to Vedic ritualism. They constructed several Buddhist Stupas, Viharas and Chaityas. Satavahanas were able rulers and loved Literacy and architecture. The 17th ruler of this dynasty, Hāla was a great poet and his “Gathasaptasati” in Prakrit was well received by all. Gunadhya, the minister of Hala was the author of “Brihatkadha”. According to Matsya Purana, there were 29 rulers of this dynasty. They ruled over for about 456 years, from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD. The empire included most of the southern peninsula and some southern parts of the present Indian states of Maharashtra, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. The court language used by the Satavahanas was Prakrit.

The decline and fall of the Satavahana Empire left the state in a political chaos. Local rulers as well as invaders tried to carve out small kingdoms for themselves and to establish many dynasties. Such instability continued to prevail until the rise of the Western Chalukyas.

Post-Satavahana (200 CE – 950 CE) History of telangana

After the fall of Satavahanas in the third century AD, Telugu-speaking areas were divided under various small rulers and till the emergence of the Kakatiyas, for about six or seven centuries this fragmentation continued. Even as the mainstream Andhra historians maintained that it was a dark period in Telangana history without any political formation, the current research found that Telangana was ruled by various kingdoms like the Ikshvakus, Vakatakas, Vishnukundins, Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Vemulavada Chalukyas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Mudigonda Chalukyas, Kanduri Chodas and Polvasa dynasty. A detailed research into this period is yet to take place.,

The history of Telangana can be divided into the following subtopics:

Vedic age: The Vedic age was a time of great religious and Cultural Development in India. The Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, were composed during this time. Telangana was part of the Kuru kingdom during the Vedic age.
Mahabharata age: The Mahabharata is an epic poem that tells the story of a war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Telangana was part of the Kuru kingdom during the Mahabharata age.
Mauryan empire: The Mauryan empire was a powerful empire that ruled over much of India from the 4th to the 2nd century BCE. Telangana was part of the Mauryan empire during this time.
Satavahana dynasty: The Satavahana dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Telangana was part of the Satavahana kingdom during this time.
Ikshvaku Dynasty: The Ikshvaku dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Telangana was part of the Ikshvaku kingdom during this time.
Rashtrakuta dynasty: The Rashtrakuta dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India from the 7th to the 10th century CE. Telangana was part of the Rashtrakuta kingdom during this time.
Chalukya dynasty: The Chalukya dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India from the 6th to the 12th century CE. Telangana was part of the Chalukya kingdom during this time.
Kakatiya dynasty: The Kakatiya dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India from the 11th to the 14th century CE. Telangana was part of the Kakatiya kingdom during this time.
Delhi Sultanate: The Delhi Sultanate was a powerful sultanate that ruled over much of India from the 13th to the 16th century CE. Telangana was part of the Delhi Sultanate during this time.
Bahmani Sultanate: The Bahmani Sultanate was a powerful sultanate that ruled over much of India from the 14th to the 16th century CE. Telangana was part of the Bahmani Sultanate during this time.
Qutb Shahi dynasty: The Qutb Shahi dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India from the 16th to the 17th century CE. Telangana was part of the Qutb Shahi kingdom during this time.
Adil Shahi dynasty: The Adil Shahi dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India from the 15th to the 17th century CE. Telangana was part of the Adil Shahi kingdom during this time.
Mughal Empire: The Mughal empire was a powerful empire that ruled over much of India from the 16th to the 18th century CE. Telangana was part of the Mughal empire during this time.
Asaf Jahi dynasty: The Asaf Jahi dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India from the 18th to the 19th century CE. Telangana was part of the Hyderabad State during this time.
British Raj: The British Raj was a period of British rule over India from the 18th to the 20th century CE. Telangana was part of the British Indian Empire during this time.
Telangana State: Telangana is a state in India that was formed in 2014. The capital of Telangana is Hyderabad.

The Vedic age was a time of great religious and cultural development in India. The Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, were composed during this time. The Vedas are a collection of hymns, rituals, and philosophical texts. They are considered to be the most sacred texts of Hinduism.

The Mahabharata is an epic poem that tells the story of a war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The Mahabharata is one of the longest epic poems in the world. It is considered to be one of the most important texts of Hinduism.

The Mauryan empire was a powerful empire that ruled over much of India from the 4th to the 2nd century BCE. The Mauryan empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya. Chandragupta Maurya was a great conqueror. He conquered much of India and established a powerful empire.

The Satavahana dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of India from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. The Satavahana dynasty was founded by Gautamiputra Satakarni. Gautamiputra Sata

Here are some frequently asked questions about the history of Telangana from the Vedic age to the Gupta period, along with short answers:

What is the history of Telangana?

Telangana is a region in South India that was once part of the state of Andhra Pradesh. It became a separate state in 2014. The history of Telangana is long and complex, dating back to the Vedic age.

What were the major events in the history of Telangana?

Some of the major events in the history of Telangana include the following:

The arrival of the Aryans in the Vedic age
The rule of the Satavahana dynasty in the early centuries AD
The invasion of the Chalukyas in the 6th century AD
The rule of the Kakatiya dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries AD
The invasion of the Mughals in the 16th century AD
The rule of the Qutb Shahi dynasty in the 17th and 18th centuries AD
The rule of the Nizams of Hyderabad in the 18th and 19th centuries AD
The independence of India in 1947
The formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh in 1956
The formation of the state of Telangana in 2014
Who were the major historical figures from Telangana?

Some of the major historical figures from Telangana include the following:

Gautama Buddha, who was born in Lumbini, which is now in Nepal, but which was then part of the Telangana region
Alluri Sitarama Raju, who was a freedom fighter who fought against the British Raj
Potti Sriramulu, who was a freedom fighter who fasted to death in protest of the merger of the Telugu-speaking regions of Hyderabad State with Andhra State
K. Chandrashekar Rao, who is the first Chief Minister of Telangana
What is the culture of Telangana?

The culture of Telangana is rich and diverse. It is influenced by the cultures of the Aryans, the Dravidians, and the Muslims. Some of the major aspects of the culture of Telangana include the following:

The language, which is Telugu
The music, which is known for its use of the veena and the mridangam
The dance, which is known for its use of the sari and the ghungroo
The food, which is known for its use of spices such as turmeric, chili peppers, and tamarind
The festivals, which include the Bonalu festival, the Bathukamma festival, and the Dasara festival
What are the major challenges facing Telangana?

Some of the major challenges facing Telangana include the following:

POVERTY
Illiteracy
Unemployment
Water scarcity
Industrialization
Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE-development/”>Infrastructure Development
What is the future of Telangana?

The future of Telangana is bright. The state has a young Population, a rich culture, and a strong economy. With the right Leadership and policies, Telangana can become one of the most prosperous states in India.

Question 1

The earliest inhabitants of Telangana were the:

(A) Dravidians
(B) Aryans
(C) Mughals
(D) British

Answer
(A) The Dravidians were the earliest inhabitants of Telangana. They were a group of people who spoke a language called Dravidian. The Dravidians were believed to have originated in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Question 2

The first major kingdom to rule over Telangana was the:

(A) Satavahana dynasty
(B) Chalukya dynasty
(C) Kakatiya dynasty
(D) Qutb Shahi dynasty

Answer
(A) The Satavahana dynasty was the first major kingdom to rule over Telangana. They ruled from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. The Satavahanas were a powerful kingdom that controlled much of the Deccan Plateau.

Question 3

The Chalukya dynasty was a major power in Telangana from the 6th to the 12th centuries CE. They were known for their military prowess and their patronage of art and architecture. The Chalukyas were eventually overthrown by the Chola dynasty.

Question 4

The Kakatiya dynasty was a major power in Telangana from the 12th to the 14th centuries CE. They were known for their military prowess and their patronage of art and architecture. The Kakatiyas were eventually overthrown by the Delhi Sultanate.

Question 5

The Qutb Shahi dynasty was a major power in Telangana from the 16th to the 17th centuries CE. They were known for their military prowess and their patronage of art and architecture. The Qutb Shahis were eventually overthrown by the Mughal Empire.

Question 6

The Mughal Empire was a major power in Telangana from the 17th to the 18th centuries CE. They were known for their military prowess and their patronage of art and architecture. The Mughals were eventually overthrown by the MARATHA EMPIRE.

Question 7

The Maratha Empire was a major power in Telangana from the 18th to the 19th centuries CE. They were known for their military prowess and their patronage of art and architecture. The Marathas were eventually overthrown by the British East India Company.

Question 8

The British East India Company was a major power in Telangana from the 19th to the 20th centuries CE. They were known for their military prowess and their economic dominance. The British East India Company was eventually overthrown by the Indian National Congress.

Question 9

India gained independence from the British in 1947. Telangana was a part of the Hyderabad State until 1956, when it was merged with Andhra Pradesh.

Question 10

Telangana became a separate state in 2014. The current Chief Minister of Telangana is K. Chandrashekar Rao.