“We need to study local history too ….”
Prof G Anjaiah, Head Department of History, Osmania University.
Dakshinapatha studies conducted a lecture on ‘ REDDY RAJULU ‘ ( Reddy Kings ) as a part of series of lectures about ‘The Unsung Historical Heroes ‘ on 22nd April 2023. It was organised in ‘ Sura Bharati Auditorium ‘ in the Osmania University Campus. Prof G Anjaiah , Head of Department of History , Osmania University , Delivered the key note address. Dr Binnuri Manohari, an independent Researcher and author was the special guest.
At the outset Prof G Gopal Reddy , President , Board of Trustees , Centre for South Indian Studies briefed the gathering about the activities of Dakshinapatha studies. He mentioned the projects that the chapter is undertaking. He welcomed the key-note speaker Prof G Anjaiah and special guest Dr Binnuri Manohari garu. He further declared an open invitation to the audience to associate with the organisation in academic research.
Dr Binnuri Manohari touched upon the various reasons on how history has been distorted, and how independent historians were side-lined by vested interests. She appreciated the efforts of ‘ Dakshinapatha studies ‘ in bringing out academic interest in unsung historical heroes. She further added that there should be an academic study on Unsung Historians too. While briefing the audience about the ‘ Reddy Kings‘ she introduced the works of Dr B N Sastry and mentioned the role and significance of the ‘Reddy Kings’ in the Kakateeya empire and post Kakateeya era.
Prof G Anjaiah touched upon the previous lecture in the series by Prof Mudigonda Shivaprasad, and re-iterated the importance of the Post Kakateeya period. He was referring to the involvement of common people in the struggle indicates the valour and bravery of the land. He mentioned the two important epigraphs indicating the ‘ vilasa copperplate inscriptions ‘ by Prolaya Nayaka and ‘ Kaluvacheruvu inscription ‘ of Rani Ani thalli. Both the inscriptions indicate the strength of the intention of the people and leadership in protecting the culture, traditions, and Dharma. He also informed the audience that he is not going to give them lecture on the chronology or names of who ruled etc., instead he will give a perspective of literature of that era. If we observe the’ known literature of that era’, the lives of common people is effectively depicted. Any sane society will definitely resist the aggression by foreign forces. The heroics of people of any era is irrespective of caste or creed. How come such depictions were undermined ? he asked. It is not wrong to learn history of Delhi, but why we are leaving history of other parts of India. I want the academic world to focus on entire history of Akhanda Bharath he said. When it comes to significant kingdoms of this part of India, Satavahana’s, Kakateeya’s were well depicted in national history but no other kingdoms like ‘ Musunuri Nayaka’s ‘ or ‘ Reddy Kings ‘ find no place. Historical heroes were not remembered just for the sake of kingdom but for the deeds they have done. They not only saved the Dharma but also strengthened the sources of Dharmas. They have given self-confidence to the people. To bring this truth in to public domain , there are people like BN Sastry, who worked selflessly with his own resources. To pay my respects, I presented a paper on him in a recent History congress. This is how we can give a tribute to people who worked relentlessly.
Our efforts through these lectures is to not undermine other efforts. Kings may come and go , the kingdoms may form and fall. But there is permanency of their literature which portrays the human angle. If I am talking about ‘ Reddy Kings ‘ I am talking about how they saved the ‘ Telugu ‘ traditions and culture. There is a reference to every angle in history, even after 100 years of the famous book by Mallampally Somasekhar Sharma on Reddy Rajulu, there is no other significant work. It is not because there is nothing to work but because his work was so detailed, there were no loose ends left. My suggestion to the fraternity is to look into different angles of the history. For instance the ‘ Reddy Kings‘ played a significant role in developing and fortifying the external trade , I feel there is a good scope of further study in this area.
The audience of the lecture included research scholars and independent researchers. There was a Q&A session in which Prof G Anjaiah answered the questions. The lecture concluded with the felicitation of the guests. Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Laxmi Narayana, Research Associate.
Video links of the program
News coverage
https://www.mediafocusnews.com/article/2901/a-study-should-be-done-on-ignorant-historians
(Reporting by Chandramouli Kalyanachakravarthy, Research Co-ordinator)
More Stories
Empowered Women in history-Nari Shakti Day’ seminar on 28th May 2024
“The Native Voice of Madras: Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty”
Swami Vidyaranya Jayanti