Gallery Opened Giving History of Kondaveedu Fort

Vijayawada: A gallery has been opened on Sunday at the hilltop Kondaveedu Fort providing historical and cultural information about the fort and rulers of the Reddy dynasty.

Kondaveedu Fort Development Society convenor Kalli Siva Reddy, who is also general secretary of Kondaveedu Heritage Society, said the gallery has been set up to explain historical developments from the 13th century to 20th century AD. Focus will be on Kondaveedu heritage and culture from 1325 AD to 1424 AD when Reddy Kings ruled with Kondaveedu as their capital.

Siva Reddy explained that Kondaveedu kingdom started with Addanki as capital and Kondaveedu as second. Prolaya Vema Reddy started construction of Kondaveedu Fort. His son Anapotha Reddy completed construction of the fort and shifted the capital from Addanki to Kondaveedu in 1353. From Prolaya Vema Reddy to Racha Vema Teddy, six kings ruled the coastal Andhra region with Kondaveedu as capital.

The Kondaveedu society convenor said remarkable events took place during their time. Their details have been explained with pictures in both Telugu and English. Culturally relevant poets of the time, Kavi Sarvabhhauma Srinadhudu and Erra Pragada, one of the Telugu poets, figure in the gallery.

Siva Reddy said the kingdom of Kondaveedu Reddys extended from Udayagiri to Odisha. A total of 17 boards have been set up to provide information to tourists. The gallery has been designed by Andhra Pradesh State Forest Department with cooperation from sponsor Avula Muralidhara Reddy from Narasaraopet.