# A Family History of Venkatagiri Rajas/1st Generation

First Generation.
| | | | | | | | | | | CHEVI REDDI alias BHETALA NAIDU. | CHEVI REDDI alias BHETALA NAIDU. | CHEVI REDDI alias BHETALA NAIDU. | CHEVI REDDI alias BHETALA NAIDU. | CHEVI REDDI alias BHETALA NAIDU. | CHEVI REDDI alias BHETALA NAIDU. | | |
| | | | | Malla Naidu. | Malla Naidu. | Malla Naidu. | Malla Naidu. | Malla Naidu. | Malla Naidu. | Dama Naidu (2) =Jayamma | Dama Naidu (2) =Jayamma | Dama Naidu (2) =Jayamma | Dama Naidu (2) =Jayamma | Dama Naidu (2) =Jayamma | Dama Naidu (2) =Jayamma | Prasaditya Naidu. | Prasaditya Naidu. | Prasaditya Naidu. | Prasaditya Naidu. | Prasaditya Naidu. | Prasaditya Naidu. | | | Rudra Naidu. | Rudra Naidu. | Rudra Naidu. | Rudra Naidu. | Rudra Naidu. | Rudra Naidu. | | |
| | | | | | | Vennama Naidu (3) =Pochama (Damara Vari family) | Vennama Naidu (3) =Pochama (Damara Vari family) | Vennama Naidu (3) =Pochama (Damara Vari family) | Vennama Naidu (3) =Pochama (Damara Vari family) | Vennama Naidu (3) =Pochama (Damara Vari family) | Vennama Naidu (3) =Pochama (Damara Vari family) | Sabbi Naidu. | Sabbi Naidu. | Sabbi Naidu. | Sabbi Naidu. | Sabbi Naidu. | Sabbi Naidu. | Pedda Naidu (Mada Naidu) | Pedda Naidu (Mada Naidu) | Pedda Naidu (Mada Naidu) | Pedda Naidu (Mada Naidu) | Pedda Naidu (Mada Naidu) | Pedda Naidu (Mada Naidu) | Bramha Naidu. | Bramha Naidu. | Bramha Naidu. | Bramha Naidu. | Bramha Naidu. | Bramha Naidu. | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Nalla Dacha Naidu. | Nalla Dacha Naidu. | Nalla Dacha Naidu. | Nalla Dacha Naidu. | Nalla Dacha Naidu. | Nalla Dacha Naidu. | Pernedu Naidu. | Pernedu Naidu. | Pernedu Naidu. | Pernedu Naidu. | Pernedu Naidu. | Pernedu Naidu. | Surnedu Naidu. | Surnedu Naidu. | Surnedu Naidu. | Surnedu Naidu. | Surnedu Naidu. | Surnedu Naidu. | Mallinedu Naidu. | Mallinedu Naidu. | Mallinedu Naidu. | Mallinedu Naidu. | Mallinedu Naidu. | Mallinedu Naidu. |
| | | | | Yerra Dacha Naidu (4) =Pochama | Yerra Dacha Naidu (4) =Pochama | Yerra Dacha Naidu (4) =Pochama | Yerra Dacha Naidu (4) =Pochama | Yerra Dacha Naidu (4) =Pochama | Yerra Dacha Naidu (4) =Pochama | Madhava Naidu. | Madhava Naidu. | Madhava Naidu. | Madhava Naidu. | Madhava Naidu. | Madhava Naidu. | Dama Naidu. | Dama Naidu. | Dama Naidu. | Dama Naidu. | Dama Naidu. | Dama Naidu. | | |
| | | Singama Naidu (5) | Singama Naidu (5) | Singama Naidu (5) | Singama Naidu (5) | Singama Naidu (5) | Singama Naidu (5) | | | Vennama Naidu. | Vennama Naidu. | Vennama Naidu. | Vennama Naidu. | Vennama Naidu. | Vennama Naidu. | Yachama Naidu. | Yachama Naidu. | Yachama Naidu. | Yachama Naidu. | Yachama Naidu. | Yachama Naidu. |
| Anapotha Naidu (6) =Malavi. | Anapotha Naidu (6) =Malavi. | Anapotha Naidu (6) =Malavi. | Anapotha Naidu (6) =Malavi. | Anapotha Naidu (6) =Malavi. | Anapotha Naidu (6) =Malavi. | | | | | Mada Naidu alias Madhava Naidu. | Mada Naidu alias Madhava Naidu. | Mada Naidu alias Madhava Naidu. | Mada Naidu alias Madhava Naidu. | Mada Naidu alias Madhava Naidu. | Mada Naidu alias Madhava Naidu. |
Velugoti family is one of the thirty-six branches of a family belonging to Recharla Gothram. The descendants of this line have their capital now at "Venkatagiri" in Nellore district. The name Velugoti is due to their ​having ruled for a long time at Velugodu their capital in Kurnool district. This line stands now as the most prominent. The founder of this line is Chevi Reddi, the same as the famous Pillalamarri Bhetala Naidu. He lived during the days of the Emperor Kakati Ganapathi Deva Rai, and was held in high esteem by that Emperor for his valour and military skill. He was also frequently rewarded by him with titles and extensive territory. The present Rajah of Venkatagiri, Lieutenant Sir Rajah V. Govinda Krishna Yachendra Bahadur Varu, K.C.I.E., A.D.C, is the twenty-ninth descendant of this line. Chevi Reddi is also the first member of the lines of modern rulers of Jatprole, Bobbili, Pithapur and Mailavaram, which all branch severally from the same line.
Chevi Reddi had two seats of Government, one at Amanagallu in Nallagonda taluk of the present Nizam's Dominions, where his ancestors lived for a long time, and the second at ​Pillalamarri built by himself. The latter is situated four miles north of the former and east of Pillalamarri, at about four miles and on a high hill, is a fort, which is believed to have been the work of Bhetala Naidu and where he had hidden his immense treasure.
The period of his reign is about 1208 A.D., which corresponds to the time of Ganapathi Deva Rai, the grandfather of Pratapa Rudra Deva. This is supported by three inscriptions, dated 1195, 1202 and 1208 A.D. The following is the genealogical table of his ancestors as contained in the second inscription.
A glorious event of his time accounts for his surname Bhetala Naidu, and runs as follows : Hemadri Reddi is the name of his tenth ancestor. He was a powerful king and amassed a wealth of several lakhs of rupees. It is said that he buried his savings underground in a place five miles from Amanagallu and marked it with a pial, a banian tree and ​4
| | | | | | | Bhima Reddi (conquered Chola KIngs). | Bhima Reddi (conquered Chola KIngs). | Bhima Reddi (conquered Chola KIngs). | Bhima Reddi (conquered Chola KIngs). | Bhima Reddi (conquered Chola KIngs). | Bhima Reddi (conquered Chola KIngs). |
| | | | | | | Hemadri Reddi (tenth descendant | Hemadri Reddi (tenth descendant | Hemadri Reddi (tenth descendant | Hemadri Reddi (tenth descendant | Hemadri Reddi (tenth descendant | Hemadri Reddi (tenth descendant | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Vakrama Reddi | Vakrama Reddi | Vakrama Reddi | Vakrama Reddi | Vakrama Reddi | Vakrama Reddi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Virabhadra Reddi | Virabhadra Reddi | Virabhadra Reddi | Virabhadra Reddi | Virabhadra Reddi | Virabhadra Reddi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Mahipathi Reddi | Mahipathi Reddi | Mahipathi Reddi | Mahipathi Reddi | Mahipathi Reddi | Mahipathi Reddi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Mukkanti Reddi | Mukkanti Reddi | Mukkanti Reddi | Mukkanti Reddi | Mukkanti Reddi | Mukkanti Reddi | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Ramalinga Reddi | Ramalinga Reddi | Ramalinga Reddi | Ramalinga Reddi | Ramalinga Reddi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (Sannangur.) Bhima Reddi | (Sannangur.) Bhima Reddi | (Sannangur.) Bhima Reddi | (Sannangur.) Bhima Reddi | (Sannangur.) Bhima Reddi | (Sannangur.) Bhima Reddi |
| | | | | | | Muncha Reddi | Muncha Reddi | Muncha Reddi | Muncha Reddi | Muncha Reddi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Yerrama Naidu | Yerrama Naidu | Yerrama Naidu | Yerrama Naidu | Yerrama Naidu | Yerrama Naidu |
| | | | | | | Kata Reddi | Kata Reddi | Kata Reddi | Kata Reddi | Kata Reddi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Kumara Naidu =Yerrakka. | Kumara Naidu =Yerrakka. | Kumara Naidu =Yerrakka. | Kumara Naidu =Yerrakka. | Kumara Naidu =Yerrakka. | Kumara Naidu =Yerrakka. |
| | | | | | | Kama Reddi=Kachamma | Kama Reddi=Kachamma | Kama Reddi=Kachamma | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nami Reddi =Ithamma | Nami Reddi =Ithamma | Nami Reddi =Ithamma | Nami Reddi =Ithamma | Nami Reddi =Ithamma | Nami Reddi =Ithamma | Ayyama Sani | Ayyama Sani | Ayyama Sani | Ayyama Sani | Ayyama Sani | Ayyama Sani | Chevi Reddi alias Bhetala Naidu | Chevi Reddi alias Bhetala Naidu | Chevi Reddi alias Bhetala Naidu | Chevi Reddi alias Bhetala Naidu | Chevi Reddi alias Bhetala Naidu | Chevi Reddi alias Bhetala Naidu | Yerrakka | Yerrakka | Yerrakka | Yerrakka | Yerrakka | Yerrakka |
| | | | | | | Malla Reddi. | Malla Reddi. | Malla Reddi. | | | | | Malla Naidu | Malla Naidu | Malla Naidu | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bhetala Naidu tries to subdue the spirit Bhetala.
Two swords and shield of Bhetala Naidu.
Report of this incident soon reached the ears of the King of Vijayanagar who sent for him and heard the occurrence in detail. He then praised him for his bravery and gave him a reward of the tract of territory known as Lakshaseema, bordering on his own Amanagallu Estate, besides valuable jewels, horses and elephants. A gilt dagger was also presented on the occasion and he was dubbed Pillalamarri Bhetala Naidu. This dagger and another used in the duel with Bhetala are carefully preserved in the Samastanam to this date. On account of this knighthood he had been popularly known by this name. He is so-called in his wife's inscription at Pillalamarri bearing the year 1208 A.D.
His life-time seems to have been spent on account of his courage and skill in fighting in the battlefield rendering assistance to the ​Kings of Vijayanagar or the Manumasiddhi Rajahs of Nellore. Hence it is that he was known as Manumakuladitya meaning "the sun that shines on Manumakula."
General. — The standing events of his time are the construction of a Durg (mentioned above) near Amanagallu, and a temple of Siva erected by him at Pillalamarri, as also the Erakeswara temple built by his wife in 1208 A.D. His elder brother Nami Reddi served as a General under Rudra Deva also, and he is remembered by the Thrikutam, built 1195 A.D., and the temple of Nameswara in 1202 AD. He had frequently co-operated with his brother in his military expeditions and contributed largely to his fame.
Chevi Reddi built a capital at Pillalamarri and made his name immortal. The town is so named because it was originally built near the banian tree with its many offshoots. The chief temple of the town is Thrikutam or the three temples of Nami Reddi. There are, ​besides, the Siva's temple built by Chevi Reddi and two others of Poleswar and Viswanath. To the west of Pillalamarri is situated the temple of Erakeswara. The western part of the town had long gone to decay and what remains is only the part in the east.