Hakku Patra of Kadem Inakomulu [1543]

Contributor / Caste / Performance: Mandahetchu. Medium of original material: copper plate. Description of material: The copper plate reveals the history of Mandahetchu community and its origin and the context of the origin. The period mentioned in the copper plate inscription is 1543 AD. The inscription describes about twenty five places. Many of them are historical. The wars fought by Katamaraju, Ayathamaraju and Kancharla are all historically significant. But the period of this kings is not mentioned clearly by the historians. The patron caste of Mandahetchu is Yadava/Golla (Shepherd) which lives in the plains. They go in search of pastoral fields. Thus they go to Nellore, which is nearly 500 km from Nalgonda. After his marriage with Ganga, Katamaraju ordered Manda Boyadu (Jaggayya) to feed ‘Balimudha’ (a ritual feed) to all the cattle. So he did feed. Then onwards the Boyadu was called ‘Mandahetchu’ and was conferred the privilege of being looked after by twelve sects of Yadava community. The copper plate inscription categorically mentioned that the owner of 10 cows should give one cow, the owner of 9 goats should give one lamb, the working persons should give one month income to the Mandahetchu. It also mentions that in the name of those who died, cows, gold rings, silver anklets etc., must be given to him. He shall enjoy this privilege forever. It seems long back this copper plate is given to one family. After some time, out of one copper plate, shares were given to two families with small modifications in the text. The two versions are available in one village with Kinnera Pedabhushaiah and Kadem Inakomulu.