Thursday 1 March 2012

Sardar Sarvayi Papanna, the unsung fighter of Telangana

Sardar Sarvayi Papanna Goud born in Goud Community at Khilashapur Village near jangaon In Warangal District. He fought against the Muslim rule in Telangana. He constituted some mansions and protected the interest of poor. He lived during the period of Aurangazeb. Shivaji conquered Maharastra from Muslim rule and at the same time Papanna occupied the Telangana area from Mughal rule between 1687 to 1724.

His name also spelt as Sardar Sarvai Papanna or Sardar Sarvay Papanna or Papadu, who also built a fort in Khilashapur which was also considered as capital city. Papanna Goud was born in 1650 lost his father during his early years assisted his mother Smt. Sarvamma as a cattle herder. And later on upon his mother's request and force he took up Toddy tapping as his profession. Having seen the oppressions and atrocities committed by Mughals, during that time raised a small army out of warrior castes through guerrilla attacks on them.

He was a strong devotee of Lord Shiva and Goddess Yellamma. His victory inscriptions,and sculptures are also available in Buddhism dominant regions such as Dhoolmitta to show that he respected and loved Buddhism too.  Papanna Goud's history came into limelight when the British historian J. A. Boyal recorded the folklore music during 1874 A.D.This combined with further studying of archaeological evidence of ruined or existing forts,inscriptions,and temples brought the history of Papanna Goud into limelight.

Papanna during his reign of 30 years ruled Buvanagiri of Nalgonda, Thatikonda of Warangal, Kolanupaka, Cheriyala, Karimnagar , Huzurabad, and Husnabad regions. Papanna constructed his first fort in Sarvayeepeta in 1675 A.D. According to the historian Pervaram Jeganatham, with the aim of expanding his rule and conquering Golconda, Papanna constructed forts in Thatikonda, Vemulkonda during 1678 A.D. and between 1700 - 1705 A.D he constructed another fort at Shahpuram.

Existing Check Dam constructed during the rule of Papanna in Thatikonda shows that he is a king of development oriented. Existing Goddess Yellamma temple in Husnabad of Karimnagar constructed during the rule of Papanna show that Papanna was religious. This temple during times was added with new idols. But the original Goddess Yellama idol constructed of soil is still existing. 

Papanna mostly raised the funds for war and army by guerrilla attacks on Subedar, Zamindars, landlords. Upon reaching the popularity of Papanna news to Aurangazeb he advised Rustum-dil Khan to suppress Papanna. Rustum-dil Khan then sent Qasim Khan to fight Papanna and conquer Shahpura fort. Having Qasim Khan defeated and slayed by Papannam, Rustum-dil Khan himself entered the war and this went on for almost three months. Rustum-dil Khan finally fled the war and Papanna lost his friend and close associate Sarvanna in this war.

After the death of Aurangazeb in 1707 A.D, the then Deccan Subedar Kambaksh Khan started losing the control of Deccan. Papanna having seen the weak rule, attacked and conquered Warangal fort on April 1st in 1708 A.D.

1 comment:

  1. Facts of this great warrior are not published in the A.P state telugu literature till date.Only disgusting stories(i.e yedu gadiyala Raju) which degrade the image of Sarvayi Papanna were published in 7th class telugu text books of Ap Academy.This is the kind of respect given to Telangana warriors and unsung heroes.

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