Velugoti Kasturi Ranga Nayaka

Kasturi Ranga Nayaka also known as Kasturi Ranga was a prominent Velugoti chief and a military commander of the Vijayanagara Empire. He served under Sriranga Deva Raya and later under his brother Venkatapati Raya. During his career he fought several battles against the Golconda Sultanate and played an important role in suppressing the rebellion of Tammappa Gauda of Kolar. He was also the father of Velugoti Yachama Nayaka who later became a well known military leader.

Military career Kondaraju-Velugoti War Battle of Kodur In 1579 A.D. Thimma Raju with the help of his brothers Kondraju, Venkataraju, and Dasariraju expanded his power beyond his earlier limits and seized the territory of Vobala Raju. After losing his land Vobala Raju sought help from Kasturi Ranga Nayaka. Responding quickly Kasturi Ranga Nayaka marched to Kodur with a force of about 2,000 men. He was soon joined by Dama Venkatappa Nayaka who arrived with a smaller group of soldiers to support the Ranga Nayaka.

When Thimma Raju heard about these movements he quickly gathered his allies from Katreni, Vanka, Kunapalli, and nearby areas and marched to Yerraguntla. He then sent a message through Guthi Venkata Raju saying that there was no reason for Ranga Nayaka to interfere and that he was willing to settle the matter peacefully. However Ranga Nayaka replied that he had already given a promise to restore Vobala Raju’s lands and that fighting would end only if this condition was met.