RANGA REDDY, Telangana

Main Attraction: RAJIV GANDHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) is located at Shamshabad Mandal of Ranga Reddy District , approximately 22km south west of Hyderabad City This was inaugurated on March 14, 2008 and commenced commercial operations from March 23,2008.The airport which was commissioned in a record time of 31 months has capacity to handle 12 million passengers (mppa) and 100,000 tons of cargo per annum in Phase I. The Project has the flexibility to increase the capacity to accommodate over 40mppa and shall be developed in a phased manner.

The airport has world-class facilities and infrastructure compatible with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and practices to handle large aircraft and International traffic. The integrated domestic and International terminals have 117,000 square metre floor space, 12 contact boarding bridges, 30 remote stands, 142 Common User Terminal Equipment (CUTE), 16 self-check-in kiosks (Common User Self Service- CUSS) and 46 immigration counters. The airport also incorporates modern IT systems like Flight Information Display Screens, Baggage Handling System (BHS) and uses Airport Operational Database (AODB) technology for the first time in India. RGIA is the first Indian airport to have the Airport Operations Control Centre, the nerve centre for all coordination within the airport.

Lying within two-hour flight distance from all major Indian cities and four hour flight distance from Middle East and South East Asia, the Hyderabad International Airport is strategically located at the centre of India. It has great potential to transform into one of the busiest air travel hubs in India, and an important destination-cum-transit location bridging the East and the West.

Brief History

Rangareddy district was formed on 15th August 1978 by carving out some portion of Hyderabad urban taluk and the merger of the rural and urban areas of the remaining taluks of Hyderabad. Therefore the history of Rangareddy is no other than the history of Hyderabad which is detailed here. In the initial stage, the name of the district was Hyderabad (Rural). Later it was changed as Konda Venkata Rangareddy district and then as Rangareddy district. It was named after the doyen freedom fighter patriot and late Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra pradesh K.V.Rangareddi who hailed from Pedda Mangalaram village in Moinabad Revenue Mandal of the District.

The history of the district was inextricably bound up with the rise and fall of various kingdoms which flourished in the Deccan during the medieval and modern times. The Kakatiyas of Warangal were the first important rulers of this part of the country between 1150-1323 A.D. Muhammad-bin-Tughlak who broke the Kakatiya power in 1323 A.D.held sway for sometime after which the royal court of the Bahmani Sultans held the Deccan for about two centuries. On their decline, the Barid Shahi Kingdom rose to power which, for unknown reasons, dwindled by about 1609 A.D. Then came the famous Qutub Shahis of Golconda (1512-1687) whose rule opened a glorious chapter in the annals of this district . It was in the reign of the fifth descendant of this dynasty, Muhammad Quli, that the nucleus of the Hyderabad city, renowned for its magnificent mansions, had been laid in 1589 A.D. However, towards the close of the 17th century the fortress of Golconda fell to the sword of Aurangzeb (1687) who made it a part and parcel of the Mughal Empire and nominated Chin Kalich Khan (Asaf Jah) as Subedar of the Deccan, who in turn, made himself the master of the Deccan after inflicting a signal defeat on Mubariz Khan, who was secretly instructed by the Mughal Emperor, in the famous battle of Shakarkheda fought on the 11th October, 1724. This battle which was renamed Fathkhera by the Nizam-ul-Mulk marks the establishment of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty and with it the establishment of an autonomous Deccan. 

It also marks the end of the Medieval period in the history of the Deccan and the commencement of the Modern period which was identical with the end of the Mughal hegemony and the definite establishment of the Asaf Jahi rule. The State and the dynasty so founded by Asaf Jah-I had witnessed many eventful things in the evolution of the Hyderabad State. He also instituted the title of the Nizam which had become since then the hereditary and dynastic title of the successive rulers of this State and thus he became the founder of the house of the Nizams (1724). Thereafter, the district remained a part of the Nizam's Dominions until it became a part of the Indian Union in 1948. It was finally merged in the enlarged State of Andhra Pradesh on the 1st November, 1956 when the Sovereign, independent Republic of India implemented the States’, Reorganisation Act with a view to redraw the political map of India, delimiting and alienating the boundaries of the States so as to weld together the people speaking the same language.

Early Hindu Period 

In pre-historic times the great Dravidian race occupied Southern India including a major portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is uncertain when the Aryans invaded the Deccan. The empire of Asoka (273-231 B.C), however, seems to have had control over the whole of Berar and a considerable portion of the Deccan plateau. The Andhras were the next kings who ruled the Deccan. They are mentioned in the Asokan inscriptions but their rise to power dates from about 220 B.C. gradually extending their sway from Krishna delta, they soon possessed an empire reaching to Nasik. This dynasty seems to have come to an end in the third century A.D. But the reasons for the collapse are little known. The Pallavas who ruled South of Krishna might have extended their power to this region.

The next dynasty of importance is that of the Chalukyas who rose to power in Bijapur district by about 550 A.D., and founded an empire spreading east and west across the Peninsula with their capital at Kalyani. Pulakesin II (608-642 A.D.), ruled practically the whole of India south of Narmada river and even came into contact with Harsha Vardhana of Kanuj. Throughout their period of supremacy the Chalukyas were at war with the Pallavas. In the middle of eighth century the Chalukyas were displaced by the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed in Gulbarga district. About 973 A.D., the Chalukyan dynasty was restored and for nearly 200 years maintained its position, in spite of fierce struggles with the Cholas and Hoyasalas of Dorasamudra. The Chalulkya power fell about 1189 A.D. to the Hoyasalas and Yadavas, the latter of whom established themselves at Deogiri. The Yadavas were the last great Hindu rulers of Deccan, for Vijayanagar Kingdom which was founded half a century later after the advent of the Muhammadans, never acquired much sway in the Deccan proper.

Muhammadan Period

Alla-ud-din Khilji led the first Muhammadan expedition into the Deccan in 1294 against the Yadava ruler of Deogiri and coerced him into submission. In 1296 A.D. he assassinated his own uncle and seized the throne, and sent an expedition to Deogiri. His first expedition was dispatched in 1303 A.D. against the Kakatiya Kings of Warangal, who had established themselves there since the middle of the 12th century. This having failed he sent a second expedition under Malik Kafur in 1309 A.D, which resulted in the submission of the Raja who agreed to pay tribute. In 1310 A.D. Malik Kafur was sent against the Hoyasala Raja of Dorasamudra (Helebid in Mysore). In 1318 A.D. when Harpal,the Deogiri ruler rebelled, he was defeated and put to death and with him the Yadava dynasty ended.

Muhammad bin-Tughlak conducted a later campaign Warangal and finally broke the Kakatiya power in 1323 A.D. When Muhammad-bin-Tughlak ascended the throne in 1325 A.D. at Delhi the Muhammadans were masters of the Deccan from North to South, the Chief Rajas of Telangana acknowledged their sway and paid tribute. He changed the name of Deogiri to Daulatabad and made it his capital. A few years later the imperial Governors of the Deccan revolted resulting in the establishment of the Bahmani dynasty. Zafar Khan, who styled himself as Ala-ud-din Hasan Shah Gangu founded this line and having taken possession of the Deccan provinces including Bidar and Gulbarga, he made the latter place his capital and commenced to reign from 1347 A.D. The Bahmani Kingdom extended from Berar in the north to the left bank of the Tungabhadra in the south and from Dabal on the west coast to Telangana tracts in the east. After the fall of this dynasty the Barid Shahi dynasty came into power. Amir Barid who assumed sole charge of the affairs of the Bahmani kingdom after the downfall of the Bahmani dynasty had many vicissitudes and constant wars with the rulers of Bijapur and Berar and he died in Daulatabad in 1538 A.D.

He was succeeded by his son Ali Barid who was the first to assume the title of Shah. In 1565 A.D. he marched along with the other Deccan kings against the Rajas of Vijayanagar and in the memorable battle of Tallikota the Vijayanagar ruler was defeated and his fate sealed. Ali Barid died in 1582 A.D. and he was succeeded by three other kings. The Qutub Shahi dynasty next came into prominence. Qutub-ul-Mulk Sultan Kuli, a Turk of noble family, who was Governor of the Golconda province under the Bahmanis took advantage of the distracted state of the kingdom under Muhammad Shah of the Barid Shahi dynasty and declared his independence establishing the Qutub Shahi dynasty which reigned from 1512 to 1687 A.D.

When the Mughals invaded the Deccan, the local rulers formed an alliance against them, but after defeating the invaders they fell out among themselves, enabling the Mughal troops to subdue the country. Shah Jahan after rebelling against his father fled from Burhanpur and was welcomed at Golconda by Abdullah Qutub Shah. In 1635 A.D. Shah Jahan who had then become the emperor, sent a farman to Golconda which was well received. Mir Jumla, the King's minister, appealed to Aurangzeb for help against his master in 1655 A.D. and this afforded a pretext for Aurangzeb to invade the territory. Hyderabad was plundered, but Abdullah sued for peace and paid arrears of tribute. He died in 1674 A.D. and was succeeded by his nephew Abdul Hasan also called Tana Shah. After the fall of Bijapur in 1686 A.D. Aurangzeb turned his attention to Golconda which was taken in the following year. Tana Shah was made a prisoner and died in 1704 A.D. and with him the Qutub Shahi line ended. This dynasty was followed by Asaf Jahi dynasty to which the present Nizams belongs. The Asaf Jah dynasty was founded by Asaf Jah, a distinguished General of Aurangzeb, a Turkoman by descent. After a long service under the Delhi emperor he was appointed as Subedar or Viceroy of the Deccan in 1713 A.D. with the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk which has since become the hereditary title of the family.

The Mughal Empire at this period was on the verge of decline owing to internal dissensions and attacks from without. Amidst the general confusion Asaf Jah had little difficulty in asserting his independence against the degenerate and weak occupants of the throne of Delhi, but he had to repel the inroads of Marathas who were harassing the west of his newly acquired territory. His independence was the cause of much jealousy at Delhi and the court party secretly instructed Mubariz Khan, Governor of Khandesh to oppose him by force of arms. A battle was fought at Shakarkhelda in the Buldana district of Berar in 1724 A.D., when Mubariz khan was totally defeated and lost his life. This battle established the independence of Asaf Jah who annexed Berar and fixed his residence at Hyderabad and established his dominions. The Hyderabad district along with the rest of the Telangana came under the control of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

After the death of Asaf Jah, Nazir Jung, his second son and Muzaffar Jung, his grandson by one of his daughters, strove for the succession. At this time the English and the French were contending supremacy in the East and each of the claimants secured the support of one of these powers ; Nazir Jung's cause was espoused by the English, while Muzaffar Jung was supported by the French. The latter, however, fell a prisoner to his uncle, but on the assassination of Nazir Jung, Muzaffar Jung was proclaimed the sovereign. Dupleix, the French Governor, became the controller of the Nizam's authority. Muzaffar Jung was killed by some Pathan Chiefs and the French then selected Salabat Jung a brother of Nazir Jung and son of Asaf Jah as ruler. Ghazi-ud-Din, the eldest son of Asaf Jah, who, it was alleged had relinquished his claim at first now appeared as a claimant, supported by the Marathas, but his sudden death put stop to further struggles. The English and the French were then contesting for power and influence in the Deccan, but the victories of Clive in the Carnatic caused the latter to turn their attention to their own possessions which were threatened and to leave Salabat Jung to shift for himself. Nizam Ali Khan, the fourth son of Asaf Jah at this juncture obtained the support of the English on the promise of dismissing French from his service. Salabat Jung was dethroned in 1761 A.D. and Nizam Ali Khan was proclaimed ruler.

In 1766 A.D. the Northern Circars were ceded to the British on the condition that the Nizam was to be furnished with a subsidary force in time of war and received 6 lakhs of rupees per annum when no troops were required, the Nizam on his part promising to support the British with his troops. This was followed by the treaty of 1768 A.D. by which the East India Company and the Nawab of Carnatic engaged to assist the Nizam with troops whenever required by him on payment. In 1790 A.D., war broke out between Tipu Sultan and the British and a treaty of alliance was concluded between the Nizam, the Marathas and the British. Tipu, however, concluded peace and had to relinquish half of his dominions which was divided among the allies. In 1798 A.D. another treaty was concluded between the Nizam and the British. 

On the fall of Seringapatnam and the death of Tipu Sultan, the Nizam participated largely under the treaty of Mysore in 1799 in the division of territory and his share was increased because of the withdrawal of the Peshwas from the treaty. In 1800 a fresh treaty was concluded between the Nizam and the British by which Nizam ceded all the territories which had accrued to him under the treaties of 1792, and 1799 i.e., Cuddapah, Kurnool, Anantapur and Bellary districts known as the Ceded districts of Madras. Nizam Ali Khan died in 1803 and he was succeeded by his son, Sikandar Jah. On the death of Sikandar Jah in 1829, his son Nasir-ud-Doula succeeded. Nasir-ud-Doula died in May, 1857 and he was succeeded by his son Afzal-ud-Doula. In 1869 on the death of Afzal-ud-Doula his son Mir Mahbub Ali Khan Bahadur became the ruler. As he was only three years old then, regency was constituted for the administration of the country, with Salar Jung-I as Regent and Nawab Shams-ul-Umara as Co-Regent, the British Resident being consulted on all important matters concerning the welfare of the State. On the death of the Co-Regent in 1877, his half brother Nawab-vikar-ul-Umara was appointed as coadministrator but he also died in 1881, Sir Salar Jung remaining sole administrator and Regent till his death in 1883. 

In 1884, Mir Mahabub Ali Khan having attained majority was installed as ruler by Lord Rippon. On the death of Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, in 1911 Mir Osman Ali Khan ascended the throne. In 1947 when the country attained independence the princely states were given the choice either to remain independent or to join the Indian Union. The Nizam`s Dominions became part of Indian Union in 1948 as a Part `B` State. In 1956 during the re-organisation of States the Hyderabad State was trifurcated and the nine predominantly Telugu speaking districts of Mahbubnagar, Hyderabad, Medak, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda known as the Telangana region were transferred to Andhra Pradesh. Major portions of the predominantly Kannada speaking districts of Raichur, Gulbarga and Bidar were transferred to Mysore State while the Marathwada comprising the five districts of Aurangabad, Osmanabad, Bhir, Parbhani, Nanded and portion of Bidar which is predominantly Marathi speaking was transferred to Maharashtra State. These changes were effected on the 1st November, 1956.

Hyderabad, as the State Headquarters district since the heyday of the Nizams rule, had occupied a central position both geographically and politically. The district was known for long as the Atraf-i-Balda district meaning "Suburbs of the City". It comprised the Sarf-i-Khas Illaqas that were situated around the city of Hyderabad and formed into a district and was placed under a Talukdar Subject to the direct control and supervision of the Sarf-i-Khas Secretary. This district plus other Crown lands spreading all over the dominions constituted the personal property of the Nizam. They came to be regarded as a State within a State and remained territorially unaltered since the turn of the century though numerous changes were noticed in regard to other districts over decades. It was only in the decade 1941-51 that the district had undergone a radical territorial change when both the Atraf-i-Balda district and the district of Baghat were abolished and the Hyderabad district was created. Subsequently, the district passed under the Central Administration (1948) and ceased to be the ruler`s

personal property.