ZAMINDARS

A Few families in these Merakaveedhi Telaga families have bought zamindaries. They are Kanchumarthi Zamindars , who held the Villages or proprietary estates of Dharmavaram , Dhumatigudem and Kalavalapalli

Muttangi Zamindars use to own the Nandigama, Prakkilanka, Jaggampeta, Punabaka and Chinnarigandi estates.

Sri Kanchumarthi Ramachandra Rao Zamindar and Muthangi Sita Ramayaa Zamindar seen at gouthami library

Sri Kanchumarthi Ramachandra Rao

Kanchumarthi Ramachandra Rao served as Municipal Councillor for two terms and is close friend and mentor of Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu, Prakasam Panthulu, himself has written in his biography that with financial support of sri ramachandra rao he could complete his education. He donated the place and the buildings of gouthami library a famous library in Rajahmundry. He is the founder of city high school

Sri Muttangi Narasayya

Muttangi Narasayya Garu is a well-known man of the community and zamindar of Punabaka estate, Jaggampeta estate and Chinnariganid estate.

Sri Muttangi Sita Ramayaa

Muttangi Sitha Ramayaa Garu is the son of Sri Muthangi Narasayya garu.

Sri Muttangi Batchi Ramayya

Muttangi Butchi Ramayya Garu is the brother of Sri Muthangi Narasayya Garu and well known Zamindar of prakilanka and nadigama.

Sri Muttangi Jagga Rao

Muttangi Jagga Rao Garu is zamindar of several estates and a patron of Vidyabhimani smajam. Follower of kandukuri veerslingam and a Brhamasamaji. Follower of Kandukuri Veeresalingam and was a brahmo samaj.

Role in politics:
Many from these families have been in politics holding positions of MLC, MLA, Municipal Chairmans etc.

Sri Kandula Veeraraghava Swamy

He is a scholar who did his bar-at-law. He was considered as the first Bar- at-Law from telugu people. He acted as MLC, Municipal Chairman, MLA for a long time. He is the first bar – at -law from telugu people.

Sri Pothula Veerabdra rao

He was prominent politician who served as the chairman of the Rajahmundry Municipality and also as an M.L.C. his contribution towards politics is remarkable and he is known as straight forward and selfless man. He gave up advocacy to public service and a stadium in Rajahmundry is named after him to commemorate his role in public life.

Sri Kandula Lakshmi Durgesh

Born in Meda family and adopted to Kandula family Sri Durgesh has shown his leadership qualities right from his students days. He started his political career as the president of Sri Kandukuri veerselingam degree college and from then onwards served in many key roles in politics. He served as Member of legislative council. And now he is the cabinet minister for tourism and cinematography along with charge of cultural affairs in the cabinet of Honourable Sri N.Chandra babu Naidu. He is the first cabinet minister from the community.

Sri Kanchumarthi Narasayya

Kanchumarthi Narasayya Garu practised law in Godavari District and Sessions court in the early 1870s.

Sri Vogeti Ramakrishnayya

Vogeti Ramakrishnayya Garu and Sri Muthangi Narasimha Rao acted for a long time as a Municipal Councillors, Vogeti Ramakrishnayya garu served as First Class Honorary Magistrate

Sri Erra Venkataswamy

Erra Venkataswamy Garu has authored and published “Vastugunadeepika” a voluminous book about Materia Medica of Ayurvedic herbs, medicines etc in 1883 and in 1900 the book was improved and edited by his son Erra Subbarayadu Garu by including Hindi, Sanskrit and Botanical Names of all the herbs mentioned in the book. The book is being widely used and published even today.

Sri Erra Subbarayudu

Erra Subbarayudu garu is First Grade District Munsiff

Role of them in Army:
knowing their warrior past, the British recruited them into the army. They have taken up officers positions in native forces of the East India Company and later British India, right from the 18th century till the end of the 19th century. Many of them excelled in their military prowess and earned great honours and titles to quote a few,

Sri Jammadar Bayyapuneedi Jogayyah

Jammadar Bayyapuneedi Jogayyah Garu was awarded a “Medal of Honour” on 4th May 1799 for his valour in Srirangapatanam war. He was also honoured with the title “Sardar Bahadur”.

Sri Subedar Erra Ayyanna

Subedar Erra Ayyanna Garu of the 38th Native Infantry Regiment was honoured with a title of “Sardar Bahadur” and was awarded a gold plated sword with the following inscription “In token of the Gallantry at Prome and Exemplary conduct while in attendance on the British Envoy at Ava 1826, This sword is presented to Subedar Ayyanna, 38th Regiment N.I. by the C. Government of Fort St.George A.D.1829”. He was also awarded the Medal of OBI (Order of British India).

Sri Subedar Muttangi Venkatagiri

Subedar Muttangi Venkatagiri Garu of the 22nd Native Infantry Regiment was honoured with a Gold medal in the year 1829.

Sri Subedar Kandula Appayya

Subedar Kandula Appayya Garu was honoured with the title of “Sardar Bahadur” in the year 1855.

Sri Namana Kondalrayudu

Namana Kondalrayudu garu was given the honour of "Rao Saheb"

Sri Bayyapuneedi Subba Rao

Roles in the Police Department:

Sri Bayyapuneedi Subba Rao is a prominent name even today as a very strict police officer who served as superindent of police of east Godavari district in the British Era. He is also known as Dappula Subba Rao. He is famous officer who use to organize band drums to counter congress meetings.

Sri Kandula Veerbhadra Rao

Sri Kandula Veerbhadra Rao A renowned man of the community served in the police department.

Sri Kandula Somasekhar Rao

Sri Kandula somasekhar rao In the police . Addl superintendent of police & Ex president RBC trust and he is the Ex-President of Vidyabhimani samajam

MERAKA VEEDHI TELAGA SURNAMES

Aaduri , Lingampally, Amajala ,Muttangi , Vogeti, Ande , Mondreti, Bayyapuneedi, Meda , Chebrolu , Mandiga, Dodda, Malneedi, Erra (Yerra) , Mancham , Edla (Yedla) , Gundugollu , Namana, Narra, Kandula, Pothula, Kanchumarthi, Ramineedi, Kunche, Suri, Kotte, Surabathula, Kattula.

RATCHABANDA

A dedicated high place was specially allotted in the Merakaveedhi for the elders to hear the disputes of the members of the community and also the general public and use to dispense justice. The wrong doer Is called and if his guilt is established he is to be punished according to the customs of the community.

Ramabahajana Chavidi

Kanchumarthi people have given one tilled house for the Rama Bhajana to be conducted by the members of the community which is called Ramabhajanachavidi. It is reconstructed with the funds of the donors as a RCC building and was opened by His holiness sri Sri Sri Tridandi Chinna Jeer swamy.

Muttangi vari Ramalayam

Muttangi people have allotted a special place for worship of Lord Rama and other Vaishanva Gods. Our Vidyabhimani Samajam use to run in that premises for a long time

Devaragumamam

DevaraGumam is a special doorway believed to be the gate way of the divine lord called “Devara”. It is a very special to the families with the surname” Kandula” and others where the grooms family before marriage and bride and groom after marriage will worship the scared door way after the marriage.