THE SAGA OF SARVAI PAPADU THE BRAVE KNIGHTFROM TELANGANA WHO KEPT MUSLIMS AT BAY

TELANGANA WHO KEPT MUSLIMS AT BAY

Dr K Prabhakar Rao


Indian history written by the selfish Marxist historians containing the twisted versions of history has been pushed down the throats of children from generation to generation. In these books arrogant, religious bigots, killers, murderers, abducters, rapists and womanizers who ruled India have been glorified as the most benevolent and god sent rulers to appease a section of the people. Many valiant heroes and knights who fought to protect Hinduism and faith have been deliberately left out from these pseudo history books. Sarvai Papadu is one among them. Although he did not establish any major kingdom or empire, he fought Muslim marauders tooth and nail throughout his life during the end of 17 century in the region of Telangana from 1687 to 1724. After Kapayya Naika in 14 the century Sarvai Papadu stands out as the most valiant defender of Hindus in Telangana region. Although Velama Naikas ruled at Rachakonda and Deverakonda ( Nalgonda district) for nearly 100 years after Kapayya naika, they mostly colluded with Bahmani sultans to gain supremacy over Vijaynagar empire and betrayed Hindu cause. Men like Kapayya and Sarvai Papadu are the real sons of soil who should be glorified. They had no time to pursue arts and literature as they lived by sword all their years. Sadly tricksters, pseudo politicians and selfish men have been glorified and given great titles by our historians and modern leaders too and the innocent young children are misguided who grow believing the false and distorted versions of history printed in black ad white..

Sarvai Papadu also called Sardar Paparayudu or Papanna was born in Khilaspur village near Jangaon in 1650 in Telangana in a Goud family as per historians. His surname was Nasenollu His mothers name was Sarvamma. The ballads state that he was born at Belgaum in the present Karnataka state , but he grew up in Telangana region. He belonged to the caste of toddy tappers called Gouda sect. His childhood was spent in grazing the cattle in pastures and sadly he had no education. Once he was sleeping under a tree in hot sun while cattle were grazing in the field. A serpent saw him in the sun and spread its hood shielding the sun rays from his face. This was seen by some people who were passing that way. They were astonished. It is believed in India that such men are bound to rise in their lives and would become rulers of the land. The serpent ( cobra) went away soon and the passers woke up Papadu and blessed him that he would grow in to a bold youth and would rule the land.

As time passed, Papadu grew up into a smart and energetic youth. He was brave and mastered the skills in wielding arms. Soon he became ambitious and collected like minded youth. It is also believed that he had a widowed sister and using her money he collected arms, horses and men and thus raised army of his own from Idiga ( a sect) men. The period was closing years of 17 century. At Delhi Aurangzeb ruled. But he was mostly in Deccan fighting Deccani sultans and Marathas under Shivaji and then Sambhaji. After the fall of Golconda kingdom Hindus were greatly suppressed by the commanders of Aurangzeb and there was utter lawlessness in the region. There was no safety for Hindus. Women were abducted and dishonored. Papadu rose up in revolt and sacked Muslim armies. He sacked Bhongir, Warangal, jangaon and many towns in the region. Bhongir is a strong hill fort and it was over run by Papadu.Kolanupaka was the garrison for Mughal commanders and their army and Papadu sacked Kolanupaka too. To day, Kolanupaka is a very small village about 65 KM from Hyderabad . There is a very ancient Jain temple at that place apart from many Hindu ancient temples belonging to Chalukyan period including Someswaralayam and Veeranarayan gudi. Papanna was religious too and tolerant to others. He protected jain temples along with Hindu temples. Existence of jain temple in Kolanupak is a testimony to this fact. He raised money by attacking Zamindars, Chieftains and Landlords. Obviously such men had grudge against Papadu.

Soon Papadu built stone forts at Sarvayeepeta (1675), Vemulakonda, Tatikonda ( Warangal district) (1678) and Shahpuram near Jangaon (1700-1705). Shahpuram was his capital. He ruled over areas such as Kolanupaka, Tatikonda Karimnagar, cheriyala, Husnabad, Huzurabad, Bhuvanagiri or Bhongir ( Nalgonda district) and Jangaon ( Warangal district).
Muslim armies attacked him several times but were defeated. Aurangzeb sent Rustam dil khan to subdue Papanna and he in turn sent Qasim khan commader at Kolanupaka to attack Shahpur fort where he was killed by Papanna. Rustom di khan subsequently laid seize to Shahpur fort. However he was defeated and fled. Sadly Papanna lost his close friend and associate Sarvanna in this battle. Papadu having noticed that Mughal rule by Kambaksh Khan became weak in Deccan after death of Aurangzeb in 1707 attacked and captured Golconda too in 1708.Some claom that it was not Golconda , but was Warangal.
Mughal forces were routed several times by Papadu and he ruled for thirty years with impunity. All good things come to end too and Papadu was betrayed by some of his men when he was asleep at Husnabad. Papadu committed suicide before he could be captured. Muslim historians claim that he was tortured and beheaded and his head was hung at Golconda fort. This however can not be believed. Sarvai Papadu who could not see suffering of his country men revolted against the Muslim rule and liberated many areas in Telangana and ruled for thirty years before fading into golden pages of History. Muslim historians have depicted him as a dacoit and rebel. He is still alive through various ballads that are sung in Telangana. Long live Sarvai Papanna Goud.’’

References.

1.Sarvai Papadu, wikipedia,

2.Dr K Prabhakar Rao, Sarvai Papadu.. the forgotten knight of Telangana, kuntamukkalprabhakar.bogspot.com, November 10, 2009 also on sanghparivar.org

3.Cholleti Nrusimha Sarma, Telanganam Part I, Deshoddharaka Publications,2844, , Imambhavi veedi, Secunderabad, AP, India, 1956, PP 82-91

4. AdiRaju Veerabhadra Rao. Praacheena Andhra Nagarmulu, Bhuvangiri Kathanamu, Deshoddharaka Publications, Imambhavi veedi, Secunderabad, AP, India, 1955

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