• After the fall of Kakatiya’s in the year 1323, the Army chief of Pratapa Rudra – II, Malik Maqbool (Gannama Nayaka) ruled over Warangal.
• Prolaya Nayaka was the leader for all the rulers in Andhra desha who fought against Tughluq’s for the liberation.
• According to Vilasa Copper inscription, the name Musunuri is given due to their birth place.
• Sources which mention the history of the Musunuri dynasty
• Prolaya Nayaka – Vilasa Copper inscription
• Kapaya Nayaka – Polavaram inscription
• Anithalli – Kaluva cheru inscription
• Chodabhakti Raju – Pentapadu inscription

Important Rulers of Musunuri dynasty:

1. Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka
2. Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka

Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka (A.D. 1325 – 1332):

• He was the founder of the Kingdom.
• Capital: Rekhapalli ( Bhadrachalam forests – Khammam district).
• Prolaya Nayaka issued Vilasa Copper inscriptions.
• Titles: Avakra Vikrama Yasha Shambavya Bhahargala.
• After the downfall of Kakatiya’s, Prolaya Nayaka fought for the liberation of Andhra region from the hands of Muhammadian rulers by making Rekha Palli (on the banks of Godavari) as his capital.
• The aim of this liberation movement:
• To liberate Andhra Region from Muslim rule.
• Revival of Hindu Dharma and its Protection.
• Supporters of Prolaya Nayaka in the liberation movement are:
• Prolaya Vema Reddy
• Recharla Singama Nayaka
• Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka
• Vengi Bhupala
• Manchikonda Ganapati Nayaka
• As Nayaka fought against Muslim rulers and annexed Coastal Andhra and Trilinga Mandalas By eliminating Muslim rulers, And declared as independent ruler in the year 1325 A.D.
• He renovated Agraharas which were destroyed during the attack of Muslim rulers and also revived Vedic religion, he also developed Trilinga Desam.

Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka ( A.D. 1332-68):

• He issued Polavaram inscriptions.

The titles of Kapaya Nayaka:

• Andhra Desadhiswara – Pillalamarri inscription
• Andhra Suratrana – Aryavati inscription Kapavaneeshwara – Kaluva cheru inscription
• In the year 1336 A.D, he conquered Warangal fort and threw away Malik Maqbool and earned the titles Andhra Desh Adhiswara and Andhra Suratrana.
• He ruled Telangana and Coastal Andhra region by making Warangal as capital.
• According to Kaluva Cheru inscription issued by the Reddy Rani anithalli, 75 telugu rulers accepted the Sovereignty of Kapaya Nayaka.
• Kingdoms established during the period of Kapaya Nayaka:
• Recharla Padma Nayakas – Singama Nayaka
• Vijayanagara Kingdom – Harihara, Bukka Raya
• Konda Veedu Reddy dynasty – Prolaya Vema Reddy
• Bahmani Kingdom – Hasan Gangu
• Kapaya Nayaka helped the Bahmani leader “Hasan Gangu” in establishing the Bahmani Kingdom in 1347 A.D. But later Hasan Gangu tried to conquer Warangal , with a desire to extend his kingdom.
• In 1350 A.D, Hasan Gangu sent an army led by Sikhander Khan to conquer Warangal. Sikander khan defeated Kapaya Nayaka and occupied Koulas fort (Nizamabad district) and took treasure from the kingdom and made a treaty.
• In 1356 A.D, Kapaya Nayaka was again attacked and defeated by the Bahmani ruler and Kapaya Nayaka offered Bhuvangiri fort to make peace. After this Hasan Gangu died and his son Mohammad shah – I came to the throne.
• In 1360- 61 A.D,Kapaya Nayaka’s son Vinayaka Deva attacked the Bahmani kingdom and was killed by Mohammad Shah – I.
• In 1364–65 A.D., Mohammad Shah – I attacked Warangal and Golconda and defeated Kapaya Nayaka. Kapaya Nayaka made a peace treaty by giving Golconda fort.
• Muslim historians called Kapaya nayaka as Kanya Nayak and Krishna nayak.
• Recharla Singama Nayaka declared independence and ruled over Rachakonda, by disobeying the leadership of Kapaya Nayaka.

Bhimavaram Battle:

• In 1367-68 A.D, Recharla Padma Nayaka ruler 1st Anavota Nayaka fought with Kapaya Nayaka and killed Kapaya in Bhimavaram Battle near Warangal.
• This Bhimavaram is today’s Bhimavaram in Hanamkonda.
• The Musunuri kingdom was destroyed due to the death of Kapaya Nayaka and the Warangal fort & Bhuvanagiri fort came into the hands of Recharla Nayakas.