Peda Venkata Raya

Peda Venkata Raya

Venkata III (a.k.a. Peda Venkata Raya), the grandson of Aliya Rama Raya became the King of Vijayanagara Empire from 1632–1642.

But his paternal uncle, Timma Raja, another brother of Sriranga II, thought himself to have a better claim, seized the government at Vellore Fort, compelling Venkata III to remaining in his native place Anekonda. The Nayaks of Gingee, Tanjore and Madurai declared support for Venkata III, while Timma Raja got support from no-one and was looked upon as a usurper.

Timma Raja nevertheless made a lot of trouble and civil strife continued until his death in 1635. Initially he was winning, until the King Peda Venkata (Venkata III)’s nephew, Sriranga III took to the field and defeated Timma Raja with help from the Dutch in Pulicat, compelling him to accept Venkata III’s claim. Timma Raja was allowed some territories under his control, but stirred up trouble for a second time, only to be slain by the Nayak of Gingee in 1635.

Peace was finally restored and Peda Venkata Raya or Venkata III returned to Vellore to take charge.

On 22 August 1639 Francis Day of the East India Company obtained a small strip of Land in the Coromandel Coast from Peda Venkata Raya (a.k.a.Venkata III) in Chandragiri as a place to build a factory and warehouse for their trading activities. The region was under the control of the Damerla Venkatadri Nayakudu, a Recherla Velama chieftain of Srikalahasti and Vandavasi. Venkatadri Nayakudu was son of Damerla Chennappa Nayakudu. This is widely regarded at the founding event of the formation of the Chennai (Madras) Metropolis and is to the day celebrated as Madras Day.

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