HISTORY AND LEGEND IN RAICHUR

Along the streams of time, the region between Krishna and Tungabhadra, commonly called the Doab of Deccan, the District Raichur, has always been the home of history and legend. Briefly speaking there have been three main stages in the march of time in this District. The prehistoric going back to the stone age of the pre-to-historic with its special richness as depicted in the Ramayana and Mahabharata and finally the historic, which, of couse, overlaps proto-historic from days preceding the advent of Budha. Primitive articrafts, newly discovered coins at Koppal Taluka, take us back from the age of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. The discoveries at Maski in Lingasagur Taluka and the Ashokan inscription not only portray the greatness of Buddhist period but links to the civilization of Bybolinic period. Many archeological monuments tell of the great days of the Andhras, including those of the last of the Andhras, the Kakatiyas then came the massive footprints left behind by the Muslim rulers from Mohammed Tughlaq right down the Moghals and the Vijayanagar interlude which has its own conspicuous place in the annals of Raichur District. Space and time prevent a detailed description, but it is hoped that this slim booklet will make up for the singular lack of any comprehensive publication, as well as serve a guide to enthusiasts.

Raichur District has a direct link with the stone age, 7000 yesrs ago at least, when man was yet an infant. Recent discoveries take us back only to the Neolithic period but this is by itself evidence of previous civilization. Who were those people and what was their civilization is unknown, but they have left us weapons, implements and bones. It is also not known, definitely whether Raichur had any importance during the Vedic and the Epic eras of Indian History, but popular tradition identifies the Kishkinds of Ramayana as Anagundi and Vijayanagar on the opposite bank of Tungabhadra both in Raichur Distirct. A part of the army of Shri Rama on its march against Ravana passed through this District.

It is not unlikely that Ikshavaku colonist gradually trickled down through Ujjaina nd and Vidharba, brought civilization to this area and named the river Krishna after the hero of Mahabharatha. The name Ikshvaku occurs in Rigveda and the Ikshavakus were connected with the Purus or the Pauravas (vedic index Vol. Ip 75). In Puranas the Royal family of Adhodhya is represented Katba – Inscription in Arabic, in Jamiya Masjid Androon Quilla Inner fort.

This Mosque was constructed by Ali Adil Sha in the year 908 Hijri About 200 years back it fell down. But about 150 years back Gulab Singh who was then the Subedar and Amaldar of Raichur, reconstructed it. There is an Inscription in the Mosque a fine example of calligraphy. The photo of which is reproduced above

And

Jamiya Masjid Saraf Bazar Raichur
This Mosque was constructed during the period of Ibrahim Adil Sha in the year 1038 Hijri. It has a width of 115x32 feet and has eleven arches. On the entrance Door of this Mosque there is a unique inscription of Sora Naas in the shape of rose, which is a most unique example of calligraphy.

Masjid Ek-Minar – 919 Hijri.
This Mosque was constructed during the rein of sultan Mahmood Bahmani in the year 919 Hijri by Malik Ambar. This Mosque has only one Minar. The height of this Minar is 80 feet and the diameter of it is 10 feet as having decended from a king named Ikshavaku, and according to the Vishnu Purana, the 100 sons of Ikshuvaku 48 ruled in Dakshina or the South. One Ikshavaku inscription in Nagarjunakonda also discloses that even Buddha was decended from the illustrious Ikshavakus. But this prehistoric darkness melts in the light of the Ashoken edicts and discoveries of coins, figurines and other antiquities in the District, which establish its importance during the Buddhist period. During the days of Andhra supremacy it probably did not figure much, although coins of the satavahana period have been discovered in the District. The fort at Raichur, the Gadwal Samastha and the Anagundi Traditions go back to the day to the days of the Kakatiyas of Warangal, the Yadavas of Devangiri and Vijayanagar Empire. After the Tuglaq conquest it fell first to Bahmanis and then tot the Adil Shahis of Bijapur. For some time it formed a part of Moghal till Hyderabad State came into existence.

Maski in Lingasugur Taluka is one of the oldest sites in the State. Her excavation have brought to light remains of the Neolithic age – bones, flints, implements and of the Ashoken and Buddhist age. A miniature head of Buddha in crystal which dates from some where between 200 to 300 B.C is an exquisite discovery. Coins discovered tell the tale of the Satavahan a dynasty whose last great Emperor was Gantamiputta Siwami Shri Yajna Satakarni circa 186 A.D. Maski indeed was an antiquarians delight. The Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan had preserved all these discoveries in a well-built building at Maski itself. But now every thing has been removed to Hyderabad and Delhi.

The forts of Anagundi, Deodurg, Koppal, Mudgal, Malihbad and Raichur are of historic importance.

Deodurg was the stronghold of the poligas of Bidar, “Fearless”, tribe who were so powerful that the first Nizam sought their alliance. The fort is walled on three sides and the fourth or the western side is barred by hills.

The hill fort at Koppal is very old but its lower fortification were rebuilt by French engineers under Tippu Sultan. The fort also figured as the stronghold of Bhimrao in 1857. The fortication consist of tow forts, the upper fort is situated on the lofty and insulated summit of a hill, about 400 feet above the ground. Sir John Malcon described it as the strongest place he had seen in India.

Raichur Information | Hutti Gold Mines | Famous Temples in Raichur
Raichur Thermal Power Corporation | History of Raichur Court Complex | History of Lingasugur