Early Medieval Andhra Pradesh AD 624-1000 (Comprehensive History And Culture Of Andhra Pradesh, Volume III)

by Prasad, B Rajendra

This third volume in the Comprehensive History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh series spans the Early Medieval period, from ad 624 to 1000. This period was one of distributive economics and regional cultures, and marked a transition in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres. Identity and status were provided to Telugu, the language of the land, and also to various communities in the varna structure.

The role of landed intermediaries and of religious sects - Pasupata, Kalamukha, Kapalika, Siddha, Jaina -was significant. The year ad 624 saw the establishment of the Vatapi/Badami Chalukyas over Andhra Desa and an independent collateral power in Vengi that rose to prominence in the geopolitics of southern India.

The patrimonial states of the Banas, Renadu Cholas and Nolambas, and Gangas of Kaiinga held their respective regions, acknowledging Chalukyan overlordship. With the fall of the Chalukyas of Badami, the Chalukyan lineages of Vemulawada and Mudigonda in Telangana and Elamanchili in Vengi Desa became prominent.