Who? Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu was an ultra-cool king of the Vasireddy Clan; he ruled over parts of Andhra during 1783–1816.
Rajasam redefined.
How cool was he? Most popularly known as the first king who revolted against British in India. He was most famous for his benign rule, patronage of the arts and literature, and as a builder of numerous temples in the Krishna river delta.
Cuz moustaches were the shizz back then.
Did he have Game-of-Thrones-like army and all? Yes. Nayudu kept a retinue of several thousand men, 300 horses, 80 elephants, 50 camels and uncounted bullock carts. Did someone say huuuge?
Someone needs to make a movie on this man, no?
Architectural patronage. The magnificence of his palaces at Amaravati, Chebrolu, Chintapalli and his town-house in Guntur became part of folklore. He built temples and repaired the lofty gopuram at Mangalagiri. Over a hundred richly gilt brass pillars, over 30 feet high were erected in his name at various shrines.
He conceived the concept of multi-storey way back in the 1700s.
Mari daanalu, dharmalu...? He fed daily hundreds of Purohits. Often he distributed shawls, gold and jewels among learned sadhus. The sums he spent on festivals, sacrifices, fire offerings and marriages became legendary. Colin Mackenzie who visited Amaravati in 1797 heaved praises upon the glory of Nayudu's palaces and his well-known compassion.
He sure was bowled over!
Badassery. He successfully eliminated the Pindaris(who were Marathi robbers) who were robbing the people in Guntur region.
Thug life gone kaput!
More badassery. During his reign, Chenchus were raiding villages around Amaravati. Like a scene straight out of a Telugu film, Venkatadri invited about 600 of the Chenchu men to a luncheon and ordered them to be killed. The villages where this incident took place is today called Narukulapadu.
And then time for some peace and religious stuff. After the gruesome incident, the Rajah became so repentant that he devoted his entire life, time and revenues to building temples to Lord Siva. He renovated the Amareswara Swamy temple here, got nine learned archakas to be brought for the daily archana of the Lord, and provided them with all the needs of livelihood, including 12 acres of land to each. The temple as it stands now owes much to him.
Amareshwara Swamy Temple, Amaravati.
