Telegu Sources - Short Note

Akashneel Sarma

Background

During the late 13th and early 14th century, the prominent independent states in the Deccan
were the Yadavas in the North, Hoysalas( West) , Kakatiyas ( East) and the Pandyas ( South).
The 14th century was a period which marked the expansion of the Delhi Sultanate in the
Deccan. The process of annexation and the movement of the Sultanate in the North
intensified after the reign Allaudin Khilji. Expansion of the sultanate into the Deccan was
marked by Mubbarak Khilji’ annexation of Yadava territories, Ghiyasuddin Tuglaq’a capture
of Warrangal. By the time of Mohammad Bin Tuglaq, the entire Deccan had been brought
under the control of thr Delhi Sultanate. However over a period of time, Mohammad Bin
Tuglaq’s hold over the Deccan started weakening which leads to the disintegration of the
Sultanate and the rise of the Vijayanagar and the Bahamani Kingdoms

Telegu Literature

One of the most significant implication of the Movement of the Delhi Sultanate in the
Deccan was the introduction of Persian literally tradition in the Deccan. The Persian literally
tradition of the sultanate had a developed sense of Tarikh tradition, as well as literature
written in political themes, for example Adab literature. The expansion also led to the
movement of mystical ideas and migration of Sufis.

Historiography: While studying sources for Medieval Indian History, the focus has generally
been of Indo Persian Sources, this is true for South India as well. It was generally argued by
scholars that south India did not produce text of historical significance. Scholars like Ashish
Nandy have gone on to argue that history writing South India was a western construct
which came with the colonial rule. However such a formulation of the tradition of history
writing in South India have been critiqued by scholars like by Velluchari Narayan Rao and
Sanjay Subramanian who argue that any text which deals with the event of the past are
historical texts. They are also critical of the fact that pre modern south India was indifferent
to the past the idea that History writing is a western import. On the contrary they argue that
a lot of vernacular texts were produced periodically in the region, particularly in Tamil,
Telegu and latter Marathi. This literature however should not be seen as independent
sources but rather in relation to Indo Persian sources. However critiques have gone to argue
that these texts only deal with puranic and mythological literature and hence lack historical
significance. In response to this scholars like Sanjay Subramanyam argue that these texts
might lack a historical basis, but they deal with the past through different genres like, Kavya,
Charita, court poetry, epics etc where one can find both fictional and non fictional narrative
which can be distinguished by someone who is well versed with these texts. In recent times
a lot of importance have been given to indigenous literature as a source for reconstructing
history, however these sources needs to be critically evaluated.

Growth of Telegu Literature: Telegu is a language in which a lot of literature has been
produced. It was also interacting with other languages and had significant influence from
Sanskrit, Tamil, Persian, Kannada and later Marathi.( Note: Tamil was the language of the
Vaishnavite saint, Kannada was used by the Virashavaites and Sanskrit by the Brahmans.
During this period a lot of text dealing with the past and of political importance was
produced in Telegu. The Arthashastra is translated into Telegu and lot of text dealing with
Niti tradition is produced. By the 16th century Persian influence in the Telegu tradition is
evident from the use of Persian Terms in administration. The Imperial capital of the
Vijayanagara Empire; Hampi emerged as the main centre of Telegu writings. Also with the
growth of the Nayaka states and the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, the Telegu literary
tradition in Hampi prospered.

(Note: One of the reasons why the Kakatiyas patronized Sanskrit was for legitimizing their
Kshatriya status. Telegu literature does not grow in Warrangal as the court is dominated by
Brahmanas). On the other hand, the Vijayanagara state had already consolidated and the
ruler gained importance as a Raya, however the state needed writers to glorify and alleviate
their rule. In the Vijayanagara state, poets were not only Brahmanas but ordinary courtesans
as well. This is because as argued by many scholars, this is because the Vijayanagara rulers
did not require Brahmanas for legitimation like the Kakatiya state. The growth of Telegu
literature in this period is also encouraged by sects like Virashaivism who reject Brahmanism
and the caste structure and by the growth of Dvipada or two line poetry which becomes an
important genre of writing poetry in the Vijayanagara and subsequently the Nayaka period.
Over a period of time Sanskrit loses importance to vernacular and Telegu literature.
Religious texts are also patronized mostly by small chieftains to elevate their status. Hence
the power of legitimation which was earlier held by Sanskrit is now taken over by Telegu
literature. Court poetry was different from temple poetry and both emerge as separate
genres over a period of time. The Nayaka chiefs in the post Vijayanagara period patronized
the Dvipada style of poetry; most court poets were non Brahmans elevate to the status of
court poets where Dvipada style becomes conducive for glorification.

This is also a period when Karnams become important politically and culturally as they
perceive themselves as managers of political affairs, connected to small chieftains. They are
well versed in multiple languages, scripts and calligraphy; many become historians and
specialize in textual texts. They have left behind a whole body of writing which are of
immense significance. Acquiring these skills becomes a way of gaining high status. They use
Telegu as a main language but are also well versed in other languages and hence become
important even during the colonial period. They also had their own version of transmission
of texts , collection of administrative data etc.

Hence to conclude it can be said that though Medieval South India lacks historical texts as in
the rest of the subcontinent, there exists a lot of vernacular and indigenous texts,
particularly in Tamil and Telegu which deals with the past that needs to be critically viewed
and analyzed.