Preface

The present thesis—the History of Andhra Country—1000 to 1500 A.D.—Subsidiary Dynasties—constitutes the result of my researches from 1942 to 1944, when I was a Research Fellow in the Department of Indian History and Archaeology of the University of Madras.

On this subject which is vast and comparatively unexplored, with an overwhelming mass of material, a few chapters in the History of the Andhras, and some articles and books dealing with the lives of the poets of the age in particular, represent all the work done so far. In the course of the work, I have utilised the writings of others mentioning the sources in the footnotes. The second part is comparatively new and interest ting, the field untrodden by previous writers. I hope that this thesis fills an important gap in the history of south India.

Some dynasties like the Reddis of Korukonda, Koppula Naiks, Eruva Chola of Rajahmundry, though belong to this period, are omitted as they have been dealt with already in my thesis for M. Litt.—the Reddis (of Kondavidu and Rajahmundry). Besides I have not included in this work, the dynasties on the borders of Andhradesa e.g. the Jagavamsis of Bastar, the Yadavarayas, the Haihayas in the Nizam’s dominions and the Velamas (of Rachakonda and Dvarakonda). In many cases, the history before and after the period of the half millennium, is also referred to whereever relevant.

For the invaluable help, guidance and encouragement, throughout the period of my study under him in getting the material and writing the thesis, and for the many important suggestions, I tender my grateful thanks to Professor K.A. Nilakantha Sastri. My thanks are due to him for getting the unpublished inscriptions from the Government Epigraphists Office and permitting me to go through the summaries of Mackenzie Manuscripts of the Department. In this connection I also remember the work in getting some books useful suggestions in writing it, done by my sister late Srimati K. Janaki .Devi of the Government Secondary School for Girls, Bellary.

Yashoda Devi