History of Morthad Royal Family

About Morthad:

Morthad is a village and mandal headquarter in Nizamabad District of Telangana State, India. It is located 49 kms East from Nizamabad. The village is on the border of Nizamabad and Karimnagar Districts.

Pin Code of Morthad is 503225 and Postal Head Office is Morthad.

Telugu is the Local Language here. Total population of Morthad is 11,965. Male population is 5,842 and Female population is 6,123 living in 2,693 Houses. Total area of Morthad is 2,324 hectares.

People from all major religions reside in Morthad. Indias first Ahley Hadees Masjid was built in this village.

History of Morthad:

The name "Morthad" in other words is "Moodu Thattlu" or "Moodu Thati Chetlu" (Three palm trees).

In ancient days, the village was identified from the distance with three tall palm trees. That is how the village got its name.

About Morthad Samsthanam / Morthad Royal Family:

Rani Musalamma Dorasani -

Morthad Royal Family has been able to be identified as existent with more precise details evident during early 18th century. The evidences start from the time of Rani Musalamma Dorasani, under whose regime, the Gadi of Morthad (Morthad Fort) and the famous lake “Musalamma Cheruvu” were constructed. It is known that the construction of the Lake and the Gadi was engineered by Rani Musalamma Dorasani. Till date the “Musalamma Cheruvu” lake is considered as one of the biggest lakes in Nizamabad.    

Google Map locator of Musalamma Cheruvu, Morthad

Desmukh Raja Gaddam Rukma Reddy -

Her son and my forefather Gaddam Rukma Reddy was the ruler and Raja of Morthad. He was born in the year 1830. Morthad was a Jagir of Nizams comprising of 50 villages. Raja Rukma Reddy was a Jagirdar and was bestowed with the title “Desmukh” by Nizams for his administrative skills. There were about 30 soldiers under Desmukh Raja Rukma Reddy. Every day these soldiers were trained on various fighting skills and were sent to the places of riots on instructions of Nizam.  

Role of Raja Rukma Reddy in 1857 Revolt :

Raja Rukma Reddy was an avid freedom fighter. At the young age of 27, Rukma Reddy Dora joined Indian Rebellion of 1857 against British. He was one of the frontrunner from the Nizamabad district to fight against the British.

To gain support from our state for 1857 revolt against British, Rao Saheb Peshwa along with his followers came to Hyderabad from Maharashtra. Raja Rukma Reddy not only welcomed Rao Saheb Peshwa but also travelled to Maharashtra with his soldiers to join great warrior Jhansi Laxmi Bai in the 1857 Revolt.

Rao Saheb Peshwa was living in matts in disguise as a saint and was motivating people of Hyderabad against British and in favour of Indian Independence. In this process, Rao Saheb was once caught by Police and Raja Rukma Reddy played a crucial role in getting him released. Raja Rukma Reddy has acted as a bridge between Marwadi’s in Hyderabad and Maharashtra and played an active role in uniting them against British.

British government arrested Raja Rukma Reddy while he was actively participating in Independence struggle in Maharashtra region. British handed over Rukma Reddy to Nizam and requested to punish him for motivating people against British in Maharashtra. As a result, Rukma Reddy was sentenced life imprisonment and was released only in his old age.

A paper clip of Raja Rukma Reddy, on the eve of 60th Independence Day

Desmukh Raja Gaddam Malla Reddy -

Raja Rukma Reddy’s great grandson and my great grand father Desmukh Raja Malla Reddy was also an efficient administrator like his grandfather. He was also a involved in lot of charities during his regime.

Active participation in Vinoba Bhave’s Bhudan Movement :

Raja Malla Reddy was hugely inspired by Vinoba Bhave’s Bhudan Movement. Around 60 - 65 years ago, Raja Malla Reddy donated 130 acres to 250 Dalits in Morthad. Due to water shortage, the land could not be cultivated but  was used for cattle graze for many years.

In 2000-2001 the State government learnt about the donated lands and released funds from SC/ST quota for lands cultivation. In the first phase 80 acres were cultivated and over 2000 mango trees were planted. A check dam was also constructed in these lands and drip irrigation system was also incorporated.

In 2003 - 04 the Dalits could receive first yield of mango fruits. Since then, the trees are given on lease and Dalits are able to enjoy the regular income. Even today one person from family takes the initiative to remove 

weeds from the farm.

A paper clip about Raja Malla Reddy


Raja Gaddam Naveen Chander Reddy -

My father Raja Gaddam Naveen Chander Reddy (1946 - 2006) is grandson of Raja Malla Reddy and youngest son of Raja Rameshwar Reddy. Raja Naveen Reddy is an alumni of All Saints School in Hyderabad and Bangalore Military School, Bangalore (During his student days it was called as King George Royal Indian Military School, Bangalore). He was an avid sports player and during his schooling in Bangalore, he won prizes in various sports at state level, Karnataka. Raja Naveen Reddy was a batchmate of actor Navin Nischal in BMS.  

Raja Naveen Reddy has inculcated charity from his grandfather and donated a portion of his ancestral lands to the villagers. He was unanimously nominated and elected as Sarpanch of the village Wadyat (the village where he got his major share of lands) till his lifetime and as Mandal President for Morthad.

Since Raja Naveen Reddy was youngest of the siblings, he is even now fondly remembered by villagers as Chinna Dora, Kanna Raja (Pet name given to him by his mom) and Dharmaraju (as he treated all the villagers with love irrespective of caste and religion).

                 Raja Desmukh Late. Gaddam Naveen Chander Reddy
                           

My Mother Gaddam Padmavathy & My Father Late. Gaddam Naveen Chander Reddy

About Morthad Fort -

Morthad Fort or Gadi has a history of 300 years. The front portion of the Fort still remains intact. The fort in olden days used to have steps to reach the highest tower of the Fort. The walls of the tower had holes to insert rifle. Soldiers under the Jagirdar used to reach the highest point of the tower to safeguard the Fort and the Royal family. The soldiers turns used to be in shifts.

The Firangi used in Morthad Fort by then Desmukhs is now put up for display in Morthad Police Station. The firangi was gifted to the Police Station by my dad’s elder brother Raja Subhash Chander Reddy. The Firangi is from Nizam’s era and now represents the history of Morthad Samsthanam.

300 years old Morthad Fort/Gadi and Firangi