Vizianagaram

Vizianagaram lies in northern Andhra, between the Eastern Ghats and the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Raja Vijayaram Raj of the Pusapati dynasty established it as the capital of his estate. In the eighteenth century its rulers played a prominent part in the politics of the Northern Circars, where neighbouring houses competed for power and European commanders sought influence.

In 1757 Vijayaramaraju joined the French commander Marquis de Bussy against the ruler of Bobbili. Their forces attacked Bobbili's fort on 24 January and destroyed it after fierce resistance. Tandra Paparayudu, whose family had perished in the fighting, entered Vijayaramaraju's camp and killed him in revenge. The fall of Bobbili and the death of its rival became a celebrated story in the region.