A Family History of Venkatagiri Rajas/1st Generation

by Alladi Jagannatha Sastri

First Generation.

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CHEVI REDDI alias BHETALA NAIDU.

Malla Naidu.

Dama Naidu (2) =Jayamma

Prasaditya Naidu.

Rudra Naidu.

Vennama Naidu (3) =Pochama (Damara Vari family)

⁠Sabbi Naidu.

Pedda Naidu (Mada Naidu)

Bramha Naidu.

Nalla Dacha Naidu.

Pernedu Naidu.

Surnedu Naidu.

Mallinedu Naidu.

Yerra Dacha Naidu (4) =Pochama

Madhava Naidu.

Dama Naidu.

Singama Naidu (5)

Vennama Naidu.

Yachama Naidu.

Anapotha Naidu (6) =Malavi.

Mada Naidu alias Madhava Naidu.

Velugoti family is one of the thirty-six branches of a family belonging to Recharla Gothram. The descendants of this line have their capital now at "Venkatagiri" in Nellore district. The name Velugoti is due to their having ruled for a long time at Velugodu their capital in Kurnool district. This line stands now as the most prominent. The founder of this line is Chevi Reddi, the same as the famous Pillalamarri Bhetala Naidu. He lived during the days of the Emperor Kakati Ganapathi Deva Rai, and was held in high esteem by that Emperor for his valour and military skill. He was also frequently rewarded by him with titles and extensive territory. The present Rajah of Venkatagiri, Lieutenant Sir Rajah V. Govinda Krishna Yachendra Bahadur Varu, K.C.I.E., A.D.C, is the twenty-ninth descendant of this line. Chevi Reddi is also the first member of the lines of modern rulers of Jatprole, Bobbili, Pithapur and Mailavaram, which all branch severally from the same line.

Chevi Reddi had two seats of Government, one at Amanagallu in Nallagonda taluk of the present Nizam's Dominions, where his ancestors lived for a long time, and the second at Pillalamarri built by himself. The latter is situated four miles north of the former and east of Pillalamarri, at about four miles and on a high hill, is a fort, which is believed to have been the work of Bhetala Naidu and where he had hidden his immense treasure.

The period of his reign is about 1208 A.D., which corresponds to the time of Ganapathi Deva Rai, the grandfather of Pratapa Rudra Deva. This is supported by three inscriptions, dated 1195, 1202 and 1208 A.D. The following is the genealogical table of his ancestors as contained in the second inscription.

A glorious event of his time accounts for his surname Bhetala Naidu, and runs as follows : Hemadri Reddi is the name of his tenth ancestor. He was a powerful king and amassed a wealth of several lakhs of rupees. It is said that he buried his savings underground in a place five miles from Amanagallu and marked it with a pial, a banian tree and 4

Bhima Reddi (conquered Chola KIngs).

Hemadri Reddi (tenth descendant

Vakrama Reddi

Virabhadra Reddi

Mahipathi Reddi

Mukkanti Reddi

Ramalinga Reddi

(Sannangur.) Bhima Reddi

Muncha Reddi

Yerrama Naidu

Kata Reddi

Kumara Naidu =Yerrakka.

Kama Reddi=Kachamma

Nami Reddi =Ithamma

Ayyama Sani

Chevi Reddi alias Bhetala Naidu

Yerrakka

Malla Reddi.

Malla Naidu

in its shadow an idol of Bhairava with a hidden inscription close by, embodying his wish that that wealth might be protected by that Deity and possessed in future by a deserving member of his family. The tenth descendant of this line, Chevi Reddi once went out to hunt and having lost company of his followers that lagged behind, he was providentially directed to the place of the hidden wealth. At that

Bhetala Naidu tries to subdue the spirit Bhetala.

time Rechan, a mala-servant under him was ploughing the field, and it so happened that the inscription was brought out by the plough-share, to the great surprise of Rechan. The matter was at once reported to his master who happened to be there. The inscription was examined and the Rajah wished to possess the wealth, just then the Deity Bhetala who resided on that banian tree caused several miracles and dangers to be worked out with a view to test his bravery. The big tree suddenly fell down and he came down upon the Rajah with his terrible features. Chevi Reddi stood undaunted. He took the evils calmly and tried to subdue the spirit with his drawn sword. Bhetala looked satisfied and astonished at his fearlessness and granted him a boon that his descendants would become famous rulers and warriors and that they would be guarded in battle by his invisible march in their front signified by the flight of a Brahmin-kite from left to right. Then the attempt was made to dig out the hidden wealth. But Bhairava in the idol at the foot of the tree gave him to understand that though he was a deserving person to take the money, he had to offer a human sacrifice. The Rajah was in a dilemma, to abandon the wealth or to find a person who would willingly offer his life for his wealth. Then came Rechan who was prepared to die cheerfully in return for the Rajah's granting him a boon that should be strictly observed by his descendants for all time to come. The boon runs thus: "Any marriage of a member of the Rajah's family has to be preceded by a marriage in Rechan's family duly performed at the Rajah's expense," which thus presupposed the protection of Rechan's line. This Rechan said would greatly recompense his death as his name would thus be long remembered side by side with the Rajahs of Velugoti line. This wish was at once granted, the offering made, and the wealth Sword used in the duel with Bhetala.

Two swords and shield of Bhetala Naidu.

possessed. This condition of Rechan is even now strictly complied with.

Report of this incident soon reached the ears of the King of Vijayanagar who sent for him and heard the occurrence in detail. He then praised him for his bravery and gave him a reward of the tract of territory known as Lakshaseema, bordering on his own Amanagallu Estate, besides valuable jewels, horses and elephants. A gilt dagger was also presented on the occasion and he was dubbed Pillalamarri Bhetala Naidu. This dagger and another used in the duel with Bhetala are carefully preserved in the Samastanam to this date. On account of this knighthood he had been popularly known by this name. He is so-called in his wife's inscription at Pillalamarri bearing the year 1208 A.D.

His life-time seems to have been spent on account of his courage and skill in fighting in the battlefield rendering assistance to the Kings of Vijayanagar or the Manumasiddhi Rajahs of Nellore. Hence it is that he was known as Manumakuladitya meaning "the sun that shines on Manumakula."

General. — The standing events of his time are the construction of a Durg (mentioned above) near Amanagallu, and a temple of Siva erected by him at Pillalamarri, as also the Erakeswara temple built by his wife in 1208 A.D. His elder brother Nami Reddi served as a General under Rudra Deva also, and he is remembered by the Thrikutam, built 1195 A.D., and the temple of Nameswara in 1202 AD. He had frequently co-operated with his brother in his military expeditions and contributed largely to his fame.

Chevi Reddi built a capital at Pillalamarri and made his name immortal. The town is so named because it was originally built near the banian tree with its many offshoots. The chief temple of the town is Thrikutam or the three temples of Nami Reddi. There are, besides, the Siva's temple built by Chevi Reddi and two others of Poleswar and Viswanath. To the west of Pillalamarri is situated the temple of Erakeswara. The western part of the town had long gone to decay and what remains is only the part in the east.