Introduction (Bana dynasty)

The Banas were never an independent power. They figure as the feudatories of important powers in South India from the middle of the 4th to the middle of the 16th century A.D.The territory of the Banas in inscriptions is mentioned as Perumbanappadi and the traditional capital was Parivipura or Parigi (Hindupur talaq) of Anantapur district.

Origin and early History

The Banas claimed descent from Mahabali—the demon and his son Bana. They served the Chalunyas, the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Pandyas. Originally the Bana kingdom extended as far as Kalahasti in the west i.e. the whole of modern North Arcot district to the north of Palar and it was known as Yadugavali Merku or Andhrapatham. The Bana capitals were Gudimallam alias Vanapuram near Kalahasti and Nandagiri. In the beginning of the 10th century AD—between A D 909 and 916 the Banas were conquemd by Parantaka I of the Cholas and were thus deprived of their kingdom. The Banas in the medieval Andhra were ruling in parts of the distncts of Nellore, Guntur and Anantapur. The Bana Viceroys of Madura appointed by the king of Vijayanagar ruled for a century from the middle of the 15th.