Rayalaseema - Origin of The Name

Origin of The Name

The name Rayalaseema became popular only in 20th century. Earlier this region was known as Datta Mandalalu as these backward districts were ceded to the British rulers by the Nizam of Hyderabad in gratitude for British help in several wars. But at the beginning of the 20th century many intellectuals of this region were under the opinion that this name was insulting to the prestige of the public at large. On 17th and 18 November 1928 the Andhra Maha Sabha meeting was held in Nandyal town. Here a serious discussion came about on the naming of this region among the participant leaders. Chilukuri Narayana Rao suggested the name Rayalaseema as the Rayala Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire ruled mainly this region and a culture with a proud heritage had flourished. (Earlier it was thought that this name was given by Gadicherla Harisarvottama Rao. This statement was in debate for long time but after thorough research it was found that Chilukuri must be credited). The name "Rayalaseema" was widely accepted and well received by the intellectuals and people at large. When coastal Andhra leaders started a "separate Andhra" movement to secede from Madras state the Rayalaseema leaders did not support it initially mainly due to the doubts about the development of this area if united with Andhra after the separation. To clear the doubts of the Rayalasema people the "Sribagh pact" was made on 16 November 1937.