Ravella Nayaks

The Ravella Nayaks were a prominent Telugu Hindu warrior-administrative clan who played a critical role in the military and political affairs of South India from the 14th century onward, particularly under the Vijayanagara Empire. They belonged to the Kamma community. Originating in the Andhra region after the decline of the Kakatiya and Musunuri dynasties, they rose to prominence as provincial governors by 1364 CE, under the Vijayanagara Empire.

The Ravella Nayaks controlled strategic regions such as Srisailam, Udayagiri, and Podili, and were vital to the Vijayanagara Empire’s frontier defence. Leaders like Ravella Linga II served as chief general under Aliya Rama Raya and played a key role during the turbulent period leading up to the Battle of Talikota (1565).

Their victories over the Qutb Shahis and Gajapatis, and the recapture of forts such as Adoni and Udayagiri, are celebrated in Sovgandhika Prasavapaharanamu, a Telugu epic by Ratnakaram Gopala Kavi. Among their most celebrated leaders was Ravella Veera Malla, who resisted Qutb Shahi incursions, helping to preserve Hindu autonomy in southern Andhra during the empire's decline. Following Krishnadevaraya’s death, the Ravellas, alongside the Pemmasani Nayaks and Sayapaneni Nayaks, were instrumental in supporting the Aravidu dynasty’s ascension after a civil war, and in sustaining imperial resistance against Islamic expansion. This resistance lasted nearly 90 years, ending with the capture of Gandikota in 1652 and the defeat of Pemmasani Timmanayudu by Mir Jumla.

After the empire's decline, a branch of the Ravella family, led by Ravella Veera Mallappa Naidu, migrated to Tamil Nadu and established the Ilaiyarasanendal Zamindari under the Madurai Nayak Kingdom.