Suryadevara Nayaks

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Suryadevara Nayaks were commanders in the army of Vijayanagar kings in 14th and 15th centuries.

The Suryadevara Nayaks are seen in the inscriptions from 1500 onwards. They played a prominent role in the battles of KrishnadevarayaA with Gajapati king of Kalinga. They ruled Pulivarru seema in the Repalle taluk of Guntur district. They belonged to Telugu Choda lineage, Vipparla Gothra and had titles such as Orayuri Puravihara, Puliyatalataraya, Gandabherunda, Gandaraganda, Karavalabhairava, Rajivachurakara, Viskhapattana talagundugandara, Katakahannibbaraganda, Saptadivichurakara and Kadanaprasanga which point out their display of valour in battles at Visakhapatnam, Cuttack, Aratlakota etc., The clan constructed Rachru and Peteru forts.

Prominent nayaks were Timma, Yerra and Musalaya. The Suryadevara fortunes declined after the battle of Tallikota. Rachuru fort was given to Velama Zamindar Manikyarao by Qutb Shah in 1600.