Chagi

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The Chagi (Zodiac sign of Cancer/Moon)[1] dynasty of Andhra Pradesh according to the folklores of the Raju caste are believed to be one of the four tribes that migrated to and settled into the Northern Circars in the 6th century. While occasionally enjoying independent rule most of the time they had been feudal allies of the Vishnukundinas, Eastern Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Gajapathis, Vijayanagar Dynasties and were zamindars during Nizam and Colonial rule. The Chagi dynasty broke into various branches, specifically the Vatasavai royal families of Peddapuram, Tuni, and Godicharla, the Sagis of Kottur, Konda-kirla, Rayavaram, Rajala, Sarva-siddhi, Vemalapudi, Velchur Kodur and the Raja Sagis of Kota Uratala and Thangedu Zamindars. All regard Chagi Pota Raju, who participated in the battle of Palnadu in 1178-1182 as a common ancestor. The family name changed over time to Sagi and the Vatsavai branch came from Vatsavai Timma Raju sometime around the 14th century when he changed the family name in honor of a Fort. Of all these branches the most accomplished are the Vatsavais of Peddapuram.[2] They attained the title of Jagapati in the 16th century.[3]

In Yanama-lakuduru, south of Bezawada an inscription is left in honor of Tulukam Velnadu Sagi Doraya Raju dated 1215 A.D. In 1230 A.D. and 1246 A.D. inscriptions describe the reign of Chagi Pota Raju and Manma Raju. An inscription left in a temple in the Krishna district around 1260 A.D. gives the genealogy of the Sagis and states the family is of the Bahujakula. Bahuja means arm or shoulder in Sanskrit and kula means descendant or clan. In Hindu mythology, the four castes formed from the body of lord Brahma with the Kshatriyas arising from his arms and chest.[4] An inscription in Gudimetla on a fort dated around 1268 A.D. during the reign of Kakatiya Rudrama Devi Maharaju mentions a Sagi Pota Raju was her commander in chief. Vatsavai Pratapa Ayyappa Deva Maharaju was mentioned in 1443 A.D. and Sagi Gannama was a governor under Vira Pratapa Purushottama Gajapati of the Gajapati Dynasty (AD 1462-1496). He built a hill fort in Vinukonda. This fort was captured by Krishna Deva Raya. Munagalapalle south of Nandigama. [5]

The town of Peddapuram was founded by Maharaja Vatsavai Pedda Pathru.[6] Raja Vatsavai Chaturbhuja Timma Jaggapathi Bahudur built the fort of Peddapuram, and He ruled the estate from 1555-1607. After his demise, his son Raya Jaggapthi ruled, followed by his children Timma Jaggapathi and Balabhadra Jaggapathi. By 1785 Peddapuram extended from Thotapalli to Nagaram encompassing 585 villages and towns. From 1791-1804 it was ruled by Sri Vatsavai Raya Jaggapathi, who the British chose to take over in 1802. Raya Jaggapathi's widow Buchi Sitamma, ruled from 1828-1835. She founded two trusts for the poor, one in Peddapuram and another in Kathipudi. Even today the poor are fed for free twice a day.

The Vatsavai Maharaja’s patronized poets such as Enugula Lakshmana Kavi and Sri Vedula Satyanarayana Sastry. With no heir, the estate was briefly ruled by Sri Suryanarayan Jagapathi Bahadhur until 1847, when it was taken over completely by the British East India Company who made the town a revenue division and built The Munsif court and a Lutheran High School.

[edit] References

  1. ^ T.R.S. Iyengar[1]
  2. ^ Historical Sketches of Ancient Dekhan By Kandadai Vaidyanatha Subrahmanya Aiyer[2]
  3. ^ Andhra Between the Empires. Y. Sudershan Rao Suleka Publishers, Hanamankonda 1991 pg 7
  4. ^ No. 373. Nandigama Taluk, Krishna District. S. 1182. (Raudri) States that a certain Brahmin Chavali Bhaskara consecrated the image of Sagi Ganapesvara and that king Sagi Manma endowed the temple with land. Describes the Sagi family as of Kshatriya caste (bahujakula) and gives the donor’s genealogy.
  5. ^ Lists of the Antiquarian Remains in the Presidency of Madras: Robert Sewell pg 23, 43, 56-7[3]
  6. ^ Batchu Foundation
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