Nayaks of Kalahasti


The Nayaks of Kalahasti were Velugoti line of rulers of Kalahasti and Vandavasi principalities. Members of the group include Damarla Chennapa Nayakadu. These Nayaks served as vassals and loyalists to the Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara Empire, then headquartered at Chandragiri Fort and Vellore Fort.

Notable rulers

Damarla Chennappa Nayak

Chennappa Nayaka was a Nayak and trusted general under Sriranga Deva Raya. Chennai, the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is named in his honor.

Damarla Moodu Venkatappa Nayak

Also known as Damarla Venkatadri or Venkatappa as he is called in Dutch records, was the son of Damarla Chennapa Nayakadu. He was also in-charge of the administration of the Vijayanagara Empire during the reign of Peda Venkata Raya, and was the Nayak of Kalahasti and directly controlled the region up to Wandiwash.
The land grant for the city of Madras was offered to the British by him and his brother, when they negotiated on behalf of Peda Venkata Raya of Vijayanagara Empire.

Damarla Ayyappa Nayak

Damarla Ayyappa Nayak was the brother of Damarla Venkatappa Nayak and resided at Poonamallee to the west of Madras and administered the territory of Kalahasti for his brother.

Damarla Ankabhupala Nayak

Damarla Ankabhupala Nayak was younger brother of Damarla Venkatappa Nayak and Damarla Ayyappa Nayak Damarla Ankabhupala Nayak was son of Damarla Chennapa Nayaka. He was Chief of Kalahasti.. Ankabhugala was a well-known Writer In the Telugu literature Ankabhupala known by a Telugu Poem, Ushaparinayam which he wrote and dedicated to his father, Chennappa Nayaka and Ankabhupala has a single kanda verse from which one can obtain 108 verses in the metre by shortening or elongating the vowels and changing the sequence of the word
Damarla Ankabhupala was Royal Telugu poet

Damarla Timmappa Nayak

Damarla Timmappa Nayak son of Damarla Chennapa Nayaka . He was Chief of Kalahasti.

Damarla Chenna Venkata

Damarla Chenna Venkata son of Damarla Chennappa Nayaka.chenna venkata was a poet. He wrote the Telugu poem Chitra Kavita.

Second Mysore Wars

During the Second Mysore War, the Kalahasti Nayaks took to the side of Hyder Ali while their northern superiors Venkatagiri Kings took to the side of Arcot and the British.