Recherla Nayakas

The Recherla Nayakas, also called the Padmanayaka Velamas, were a Telugu warrior dynasty that dominated Telangana from the late fourteenth century, based at Rachakonda and Devarakonda. Their chiefs Anapota and Maada Nayaka had served the Kakatiyas before allying with the Bahmani Sultanate.

In 1368 they defeated and killed Kapaya Nayaka of the Musunuri line at Bhimavaram and took Warangal. At first Bahmani clients and rivals of the Reddy chiefs of coastal Andhra, the Recherlas switched sides to Vijayanagara after the Reddys split, and in 1419 shared in victory over the Bahmanis at Pangal Fort.

The sultanate retaliated in the 1420s, capturing Warangal and Rachakonda by 1435 and ending Recherla power. The surviving Recherla chiefs sank into scattered local lordships across Telangana.