Suryadevara Nayaks

Suryadevara Nayaks (kamma) were commanders in the army of Vijayanagar kings in 14th and 15th centuries [A Brief History of Kammas, K. B. Choudary, 1954, University of California, Digitized 2007] .

The Suryadevara Nayaks are seen in the inscriptions from 1500 CE onwards. They played a prominent role in the battles of Krishnadevaraya with Gajapati kings of Kalinga. They ruled Pulivarru seema in the Repalle taluk of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, south India. They belonged to Telugu Cholas lineage, Vipparla Gothra and had titles such as "Orayuri Puravihara, Puliyatalataraya, Gandabherunda, Gandaraganda, Karavalabhairava, Rajivachurakara, Viskhapattana talagundugandara, Katakahannibbaraganda, Saptadivichurakara" and "Kadanaprasanga" which point out their display of valour in battles at Visakhapatnam, Cuttack, Aratlakota etc.,

The clan constructed Rachru and Peteru forts.

Prominent Suryadevara nayaks were Timma, Yerra and Musalaya. The Suryadevara fortunes declined after the battle of Tallikota. Rachuru fort was given to a Velama Zamindar Manikyarao by Golkonda ruler Qutb Shah in 1600 CE.

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