Vempalle

Vempalle stands on the Papagni River in southern Rayalaseema. To the north, the Penna cuts a gorge beneath the fort of Gandikota, an important stronghold of the surrounding country. An early earthen fort there was built by a subordinate of the Kalyani Chalukyas; under the Pemmasani Nayakas the settlement grew into a major fortress, later held by the Golconda Sultanate.