Trade And State Craft in Medieval Andhra - A Reappraisal (600-1600 AD)

The medieval Andhra ruled by the famous dynasties successfully, namely, the Eastern Chalukyas (624-1076 A.D.), the Kakatiyas (1000-1323 A.D.), the Velamas (1324 1485 A.D.), the Reddis (1325-1420 A.D.) and the Rayas of Vijayanagara (1324-1565) was chosen for this study because of wealth of inscriptional records that they have left behind them. Inscriptions of the medieval kings, particularly those of from the 10" and 11" centuries, were commonly dated in the regnal years of specific kings rather than by universal eras, after used by other Indian dynasties. It would be tedious and fruitless to repeat and discuss about the political history and geography of all kings and dynasties and their names in this context for this study. The works so far were conducted on socio-economic and politico-administrative aspects of the state on medieval Andhra emphasized on trade and commerce, guilds, agriculture, taxation, land tenures, casteism, social mobility, religion, etc., were viewed in isolation i.e., as independent entities. The political ideology and its reflections in framing socio- economic structure and its different policies of state, society and economy were lime lighted. The inter-relation between state formation and socio-economic and cultural spheres of land and people were explained. The role of trade and commercial activities in relation to society and economy in terms of state formation, trade and state craft were inter related explained in this book.

Dr. T. Dayakar Rao completed B.A. (first division) from Osmania Univesity in 1984. Later completed M.A. History from Kakatiya University and he got first rank with Gold Medal. He did his Ph.D. in 1993 and LL.B. in 1997 from Kakatiya University. He participated 30 national and international seminars. He attended International Conference in Harward University, Boston, USA in May 2015. He published 45 Articles in different National and International Journals. He was editor for Kakatiya Journal of Historical Studies, Vol. VI, VII & VIII. He completed 29 years of teaching experience in History. 8 Ph.D.'s and 9 M.Phil's completed under his guidance. He also completed 2 Major Research Projects sanctioned by IITTM, Bhopal and One Major Research Project sanctioned by. UGC. Presently Major Research Project going on "Irrigation Development under the Kakakatiyas" which is sanctioned by UGC, New Delhi. He contributed chapters to Comprehensive History of Andhra Pradesh, Vol. V. He also writer for "Telangana History & Culture", published by Telugu Academy. He organized 32" Annual Conference of Andhra Pradesh History Congress as Local Secretary in 2008. He worked as Director, University Hostels from 2008-2011 and Head, Department of History & Tourism Management from 2011-2013. Presently he is Vice-Principal, University College and Chairman, Board of Studies in History & Tourism Management, Kakatiya University, Warangal, Telangana State.

I wish to express deep sense of gratitude to University Grants Commission, New Delhi and the staff for their extensive support by granting fellowship without which, I could not have completed my research work. Through this work I learned a lot on Trade and Commerce of Medieval Andhra. I am also very grateful to the Librarian and Staff members of University Library, Kakatiya University Warangal; Library staff of Department of State Archaeology & Museums, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad; State Archives, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad Osmania University, Hyderabad, Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Tamilnadu, Chennai, State Archives, Government of Tamilnadu, Chennai, The Staff Members of Andhra University Library, Visakhapatnam for their untiring efforts for getting material and collecting data and for their supply of books to complete this research work. I wish to express deep sense of gratitude to Prof. S. Srinath, Prof. G. Bhadru Naik, Dr. K. Vijaya Babu, Dr. T. Manohar, Dr. P. Sadanandam, Department of History & Tourism Management, Kakatiya University, Warangal whose constant encouragement and inspiration persisted throughout the course of my research. The invaluable discussion we had, during the course of the work have contributed greatly in giving ultimate shape to this report. I owe a great deal to my friend Dr. A. Malla Reddy, Kakatiya University, Warangal for his valuable assistance. It is no exaggeration to say that without his help, it would not have been possible for me to complete the work. I shall be failing in my duty if I do not express my thanks to Dr. Raju for his untiring efforts in getting the material computerized for the computerization of the Project Repot.

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