Anantapur: The last of the few families of local chieftans Palegars in Ratnagiri are in dire straits. Yet, they are recognised and members of the family are invited to the inaugural session of festivals and jatras at the historic Rolla Mandal every year. Local leader Enjerappa said the annual Kollapuramma festival would began under headship of a Palegar family member, a tradition that dates back to centuries. Besides the reign of the Vijayanagara empire, many hill areas and their surroundings were ruled by Palegars who built forts and structures that were similar to the one built by Vijayanagara rulers.
During the Vijayanagara empire, local chieftains called Palegars were allowed to rule with limited autonomy. They numbered around 200 and had powers to collect revenue, maintain a small army and impose punishments. But they refused to come to the rescue of the empire at the Battle of Tallikota in 1565 AD, which marked the downfall of the Vijayanagara empire.
Innovative structures exist at Ratnagiri, Madakasira and Rayadurgam areas, said historian Shivanna. When East India Company established its control over the ceded districts in 1900, there were about 80 Palegars in Rayalaseema. They lived in style and wore costumes that portrayed royalty. But now very few members of these families are seen.
When Rayalaseema ceded to British rule, the local Palegars refused to share the revenue with the British. The first collector of Anantapur Thomas Munro ordered the arrest of Koikuntla Palegar Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, who was hanged publicly. After that, the British allowed the Palegars to remain and the around 80 of them in the region were permitted to conduct their own courts.
History has it that Dosakayala Venkata Subba Reddy would hold his court every day at 10 am and his verdicts had no appeal. In some areas Palegars were said to have encouraged their private armies to indulge in dacoity and take a share of the booty. But after Independence, Palegar numbers dwindled, though their culture was kept alive by a handful.
Modern historians credit the Palegars for their massive re-structuring work that provided a massive fillip to economic and agricultural growth and helped in restoring order, leading to formation of many new towns and villages. It has been noted that the palegar system originated as an institution in South India. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh accounted for the maximum number of palegars. The palegars did not appear on the political scene either suddenly or spontaneously.
