A Family History of Venkatagiri Rajas/19th Generation
Nineteenth Generation.
Kasturi Rangappa Naidu.
The history of Kasturi Rangappa Naidu is nothing but a record of a few military incidents of his time. The first is his success against the Muhammadan Chief of Golconda. Next he compelled the chiefs of Kondavedu and Venukonda to retreat to Kocherlakota. Then his defeat of Thimmana Gandu a notorious rebel of the days of Krishna Deva Rai. When he once rose in revolt, he was made to succumb. The description goes that Rangappa Naidu met him in a valley called Kotakanuma, and in an engagement killed as many as 26,000 warriors, made the rebel a fugitive, and compelled him thenceforward to pay tribute for which act the hero was granted a taluk known as Orwaseema.
But the most remarkable incident is the conflict with Thimma Raju of Matla Varu in 1597 A.D.; Thimma Raju with the assistance of his warlike brothers Kondraja, Venkataraja and Dasariraja not only extended his power beyond the limits, but annexed the territory of Vobala Raju, whereupon the latter applied to Rangappa Naidu for assistance who at once marched to Kodur with a troop of 2,000 followers. Dama Venkatappa Naidu joined him with a small force. Thimma Raju when he heard this, quickly gathered friends from Katreni, Vanka, Kunapalli and others and reached Yerraguntla. He then sent word through Guthi Venkata Raju that he saw no cause for Rangappa Naidu's intervention and he was prepared to come to terms. But he got a reply that a solemn promise had already been made to restore the territory of Vobala Rai and that fighting could cease only on that condition being fulfilled. Then Thimma Raju began the attack with ninety elephantry, 1,000 cavalry and 12,000 infantry, and Rangappa Naidu with his few followers and friends bravely fought against such odds. In the end Thimma Raju was defeated, fifty-three of his leaders including Linga Raju and Thimmanna and all the four commanders were slain. Other leaders and chiefs surrendered and their lives were spared.