Nawabs of Banaganapalle : A Study of a Princely State in Kurnool District of A.P.

Banaganapalle was the only Muslim Native (Princely) State in the erstwhile Madras Presidency with an area of 275 square miles. It is in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Banaganapalle is associated with Sri Pothuluri Veerabrahmam, who is acclaimed as the "Indian Nostradamus". He wrote his magnum opus "KALAGNANAM". It is a commentary on the prediction of the future course of events. Banaganapalle is rich in historical antiquities. The Vijayanagara temples dedicated to Sri Chowdeswari Devi at Nandavaram, Sri Uma Maheswara Temple at Yaganti etc., attract the attention of the pilgrims, the tourists and the historians. Banaganapalle has a mango-shaped fort. It is famous for Benishan, a variety of mango which is known for peculiar sweetness. The Summer Palace of the Nawabs at Prathapadu is an imposing and magnificent structure. It is the symbol of British architecture. Super hit Telugu movies like Jayam Manadera, Arundhathi etc., were screened here. Eventhough India got independence. the people of Banaganapalle State were still under the autocratic rule of Nawab Syed Mir Fazle All Khan. The Banaganapalle State Congress spearheaded the movement for merger with Indian Union on 18 February, 1948.