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Lone Wolf Ratnakar

@sadaashree

Jul 2

Nestled in the Vizianagaram district of northern Andhra Pradesh, the small and serene town of Bobbili lies along the Vizianagaram–Raipur rail route. It’s most dramatic and defining moment came on January 24, 1757, in what is now known as the Bobilli Yuddham( Battle of Bobilli).

The fort's small but determined forces stood against a formidable alliance of the French, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and their bitter rivals, the Vizianagaram Samsthanam.

Rather than surrender, the people of Bobbili—led by their royals and warriors—chose to fight to the last man. When it became clear that defeat was certain, the inhabitants of the fort, including women and children, committed suicide to avoid capture and dishonor.

This ultimate act of valor and sacrifice has since been immortalized in Telugu literature, drama, and cinema, with Bobbili becoming a symbol of courage, pride, and resilience.

Bobbili was established around 1652 by Pedda Rayudu, a scion of the Padmanayaka Velama clan and the 15th descendant of the Rajas of Venkatagiri. He was granted this territory by Sher Muhammad Khan, the Nawab of Srikakulam, as a reward for his loyal service during the Nawab's southern military campaigns.

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Lone Wolf Ratnakar

@sadaashree

Jul 1

Today is Jayanti of Havaldar Abdul Hamid who won the Param Vir Chakra, for his heroics in Battle of Asal Uttar, born on this date in 1933, at Dhamupur in Ghazipur dt of UP.

He joined the Indian Army in December 1954 and was posted to the 4th Battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment.

During the 1962 Sino-Indian War, his battalion was part of the 7th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier John Dalvi. At Namka Chu, surrounded and cut off by Chinese forces, the battalion made a daring breakout into Bhutan on foot—a retreat that became a symbol of grit under impossible odds.

The M40 recoilless rifle was no ordinary weapon—it was a 105 mm crew-served anti-tank gun, deceptively simple in design but devastating in the right hands. And Abdul Hamid wielded it like a master.

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Lone Wolf Ratnakar

@sadaashree

Jun 29

Bonalu begins today, a celebration of Shakti in different forms of Grama Devatas. Though celebrated all over the state, it is the celebrations in Hyderabad that are quite famous.

It is a corruption of the word Bhojanalu (meals or a feast) where women devotees prepare rice cooked with milk and jaggery in a brass or earthern pot, adorned with neem leaves, haldi, kumkum, and a lamp on the pot. They carry the pot on their heads to make the offering to Ammavaru, along with Kumkum, saree and bangles too.
#Bonalu

Grama Devata Jatras are vibrant, deeply rooted village festivals across the South, dedicated to local guardian deities—often fierce forms of Shakti like Maisamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Gangamma, and Poleramma.

These deities are believed to protect the village from disease, drought, and misfortune, and their Jatras (annual fairs or processions) are a way for the community to honor that protection.

They occur during the summer months or just before the monsoon, aligning with agricultural cycles and invoking divine blessings for rain and fertility.

And are marked by devotees offering animal sacrifices (in some traditions), turmeric, neem leaves, and bangles. The offerings are often made at shrines located on the village outskirts—symbolizing the deity’s role as a boundary guardian.

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Lone Wolf Ratnakar

@sadaashree

Jun 27

Today is Jayanti of Hiriye Kempe Gowda the founder of Bengaluru, born at Yelahanka in 1510, belonging to the Morasu Gowda clan, also called as the Yelahanka Prabhus.

He was the fourth in succession after the dynasty’s founder Rana Bhairave Gowda, and son of Kempananje Gowda.

His ancestors belonged to Kanchi and had moved to Karnataka in early 15th century to serve under the Vijayanagara Empire then.

Though predominantly Kannada speaking, they knew Telugu also. He got his education in a Gurukula at Aigondapura near Hessaraghata, and soon took over as chieftain in 1531.

It’s believed he got the idea of building a huge city, on an expedition to Shivanasamudra with his minister Veeranna and adviser Gidde Gowda.

With the permission of the Vijayanagara Emperor Achyutaraya, younger brother of Sri Krishnadeva Raya, he built the Bangalore Fort and the town surrounding it in 1537 AD, and moved his capital from Yelahanka to Bengaluru Pethe.

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Lone Wolf Ratnakar

@sadaashree

Jun 25

In my series on Andhra Pradesh, today taking a look at Srimukhalingam, in Srikakulam dt, one of the famous Shaiva Kshetras.

Located in the Jalumuru mandal of Srikakulam district, was the erstwhile capital of the Eastern Ganga dynasty for close to 6 centuries. However with Anantavarma Chodaganga Deva shifting the capital to Cuttack in 1135, the place lost it's prominence.

It was one of the main centers of Shaivism, more specifically of the Pasupati Shaiva sect. You can find the icon of Lakulisa, the founder of the sect, who is also believed to be one of Shiva's avatars too.

The sect was widespread in Gujarat, Rajasthan, from where it spread to Bengal, Odisha, and it's believed to have come to Mukhalingam around the 8th century. The Shaiva temples here date between 9th-11th centuries.

Of the Shaiva temples in Mukhalingam, the 3 most famous ones are Srimukhalingam, Bhimeswara Swamy and Someswara Swamy. Built in typical Kalinga style, the temples are noted for their rich sculpture.

The village gets it's name from the fact that Shiva's face appears on the Linga( Mukhalinga), and it's believed that a darshan of this Lingam, is as holy as a dip in the Ganga at Kashi.

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Lone Wolf Ratnakar

@sadaashree

Jun 24

What's in a name?
Quite a lot actually, the name of any city or town, gives a lot on it's background, history.
This thread is on the names of some well known cities in Andhra/Telangana, and the backdrop.

Vishakapatnam- Believed to be named after a temple dedicated to Vaishakha here, that has been washed away. Was also called Kulotungacholapatnam in ancient times. Vizagapatam/Waltair were the British names.

Bobilli- Famous for the battle here, the place gets it's name from Bebulli meaning Tiger, the town was founded by Pedda Rayudu, the 15th descendant of the Raja of Venkatagiri, who got this land as a grant from the Nawab of Chicacole.

Kakinada-During the rule of the Nandi kings, this was called "Kakinandiwada", was changed to Cocanada during British time, later reverted back to Kakinada. Another theory states that Rama killed the Asura, Kakasura here, hence the name. Also was called as Kakulawada.

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