Metla Rajulu

Metla Rajulu, also called Metlu Rajas, ruled in Cuddapah. They were the last princely state to be captured by the British when Rayalaseema was ceded to them by the Nizam after laying seize to the fort for a couple of months. The Metla Rajulu had alliances and married off their daughter to Sada Siva Raya of the Tuluva Dynasty which helped them establish and play a prominent role during the reign of the Tuluva and Araveeti Dynasities. Matli(Metla)Varada Raju , son of Somaraja was married to Krishnamma, the sister-in-law of Araveeti Rama Rayalu and the second daughter of emperor Sreekrishnadevarayalu.^[1]

Matli Rajas were Telugu Chodas of Kadapa region (Pottapi Telugu Cholas) of which Matli Anantharaju who wrote Kakusthavijayamu was one of the famous kings. Matli Rajas were related to "Erra families" of Balija Naidu caste(Kapu/Telaga)who, (the latter) built fort in "Erragunta"in Rajampeta Mandalam of Kadapa region and were ruling as vassals. However disputes arose between Matli Rajas and the Erra families and the latter were driven out from Erragunta by the Matli families after having been defeated in the cockfighting.

Subsequently the Erra families (Baddena Maharshi gothram) migrated to Chittoor mandalam (Erravari Palem, Pedanayani Palem, Chandragiri,Vayalpadu, Udaya manikyam), Nellore area, Krishna area (Machilipatnam, Vadlamannada), Ardhavaram, and Uppuluru, near Bhimavaram (West Godavari district). Having seen the plight of Erra families and their nearest relatives Gandham families it was Kadim (Kadiam/Kadiala) Bapanna garu of Kapu caste in Uppuluru in 1730 A.D who had given shelter and all the encouragement to Erra families and Gandham families to settle down in Uppuluru , where they had progressed financially and politically.

References

1. ^ K.V. Raman. Sri Varadarajaswami Temple, Kanchi: A Study of Its History, Art and Architecture. Abhinav Publications, 2003. ISBN 8170170265, 9788170170266