Early History Of REDDY/REDDI

The Rashtrakutas were initially the elite troops of the Chalukyas. They founded an empire after the Badami Chalukyas faded from the scene. After the Rashtrakutas declined we find inscriptions of the succeeding Kalyani Chalukya’s in Andhra Pradesh, in which Reddys were mentioned (900 CE). They were soldiers appointed as Chieftans of villages in Medak district by the Kalyani Chalukyas. Some of the names mentioned are Mini Raddi and Kati Raddi. The inscription mentions the name of the appointee, the authorized appointer, the important personages of the areas and surrounding villages. Ratnagiri fort was built by Potu Sri Chenna Reddy and was captured by Muslim rulers in Maharastra . Ratnagiri’s  Reddys then migrated to Adilabad and Karimnagar in early 19th century.

Kakatiya Period

After the decline of Kalyani Chalukyas at the beginning of the 12th century, Prola II (1110-1158 CE) declared himself independent from the Chalukyas and established the Kakatiya dynasty. Prola used the title of Reddi[3] in his inscriptions. Early inscriptions by the Kakatiyas indicated that they arose from the Chaturavarna. Rudramma Devi's daughter married a Chalukya prince or a Kota prince, her grandson was the famous Pratapa Rudra. Only since his birth did the Kakatiyas claim to be Warriors. By the early 14th century the Kakatiya Empire was under threat from the Delhi Sultanate. Kakatiya emperor Pratap Rudra agreed to pay tribute, but then withheld the payment and this provoked the final and fatal attack in 1323 CE. King Pratap Rudra was captured and committed suicide by drowning himself in the river Narmada while being taken to Delhi. The Telugu country was plundered and subjugated. This marked a watershed in the history of the Reddys. The Reddys who had been predominant in the Telangana region migrated to the coastal areas after the fall of Warangal. The brother of Pratap Rudra escaped to the Orissa region and founded a kingdom in Bastar. The royal family of Bastar claims descent from Kakatiya Annam Deo.

Reddy Dynasty

The Reddy dynasty ruled some parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh about 60years. [5] Reddys became independent after the martyrdom of Musunuri Kapaya Nayak[6] at the hands of Recherla Velama kings in the battle of Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir) in Telangana region). Komati Prolaya Vema Reddy was the first king of the Reddy dynasty.[7] The capital of the kingdom was Addanki which was moved to Kondavidu and subsequently to Rajahmundry. His reign was characterized by restoration of peace, patronage of arts and literature, and all round development. Errana, the translator of Ramayana, lived during this period.

The dynasty declined due to the wars with Recherla chiefs and Gajapathis of Orissa. In later years, Reddys had to be content as vassals of Golconda Muslim kings.

Golkonda Period

The Reddys continued to be Chieftains, village policemen, tax collectors and farmers in the Telangana region, throughout Turkish rule and under the Nizams. The Reddy landlords styled themselves as Desais , Doras and Patel. Several Reddys were noblemen in the court of Nizam Nawabs. During the communist led Telangana people's movement against the Nizam state in the 1940s many Reddys actively took part in the struggle. 

A unique and purely native form of Kannada literature-poetry called the Vachanas was also born during this time. The writers of Vachanas were called Vachanakaras (poets). Many other important works like Virupaksha Pandita's Chennabasavapurana, Dharani Pandita's Bijjalarayacharite and Chandrasagara Varni's Bijjalarayapurana were also written.