sense of gratitude and grateful thanks to my Professor K.R.Basavaraja,‘ M.A. ,Ph.D. , Professor, Studies m the
Department of History and Archaeology, Karnatak University,
Dharwad for suggesting me this topic for research and under
whose able guidance, I carried out this study. Without much
acquaintance, he could take me as his research student which
shows his interest in research and his encouragement to
scholars. I am particularly beholden to him for his kindness,
sympathetic understanding and continuous encouragement
which infused confidence m me to complete this study. His
friendly attitude, enormous patience in scrutinizing the drafts and scholarly guidance enabled me to bring the work to the present shape. I do not find proper words to express
my gratitude for him, who treated me so affectionately.
I had the benefit of receiving encouragement from
many distinguished academicians like Professor Sarojini Regani,
Professor of History and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences,
Osmania University, Hyderabad and Professor Y.Vaikuntham,
Professor and Head, Department of History, Osmania University,
Hyderabad. I am extremely thankful to tham.
V
I had the good fortune of receiving encouragement
from late Professor R. Subrahmanyam, late Dr.N.Ramesan, I.A.S.,
and late Professor M.Venkatarangaiya. Professor G.S.Dikshit
and Dr.Y.Vithala Rao were kind enough to encourage me to
take to research. I express my sincere thanks to them.
With pleasure X acknowledge and record my sincere
thanks to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Particularly
my -Department, Andhra Psradesh State Archives, Hyderabad
for selecting me as a Part-time Research Fellow and awarding
me a Fellowship under the Research Fellowship Scheme and
extending the necessary permission and facilities for
carrying out research which immensely helped me to complete
the study. Further, I am thankful to all the officers and
staff members of the Andhra Pradesh State Archives for their
help and co-operation, especially the staff of Repositories,
Research and Reprography Wings.
I am indebted to Sri P.Sitapati, M.A.(Leeds),
I.A.S., F.R.A.S.(London), Sri R.Parthasarathy, I.A.S., former
Commissioners of the Andhra Pradesh State Archives, for
their kind encouragement. I profusely than Sri H.K.Babu',I.A.S. ,
the present Director of the Andhra Pradesh Archives for his
encouragement and inspiration he gave me to complete
this work early.
VI
I take this opportunity to thank the following
authorities ofLhelnstitutions and Libraries which helped me
1 in various ways while collecting the source material:
The State Central Library, Hyderabad; State Archives Library, Hyderabad; the Gauthami Library, Ra*j ahmundry,
Sahitya Parished Library, Kakmada; the Saraswatha Niketanam,
Vetapalem; and the Tamil Nadu Archives, Madras.
I am also indebted to Sri.Digavalle Venkata Siva Rao
and Sri.Madala Veerabhadra Rao who placed their personal collections and rare books m their libraries at my disposal
and also for their valuable suggestions.
I have to express my gratituds to my younger brother,
' Dr.P.Rama Mohana Rao, M.Sc., Ph.D., and my friends,