Raja Vasireddy Rama Gopal Krishna Maheswara Prasad better known as V.R.G.K.M. Prasad, was the last Raja of Muktyala. The village and fort that gave the name to his family’s estate is also the seat of the famous Chennakesava Temple and the namesake Muktesvara mandir.
Well known throughout Andhra, the Vasireddi dynasty was a clan with a number of families ruling different jagirs. Though originally the titled Rajas of Amaravati and Muktyala, they, like the Maharaja of Vizianagaram, were derisively termed zamindars with the rise of the EIC. In fairness, it was usually the cowardly loyal allies of the British, such as the Nizam, who were granted the greatest titles and honours, while patriots who revolted, such as Venkatadri Naidu, had their titles taken.
Vasireddi Venkatadri Naidu
From the Muktyala line of the clan, V.R.G.K.M. Prasad was born on October 4, 1917, in Muktyala Village. The Vasireddis originally rose from Chilakaluripeta, having won possession of various villages. Demonstrating the correct path to power, they formed a familial league and were able to rise to royalty. The paterfamilias was Chandramauliswara, who incidentally, was also known as a man of the people, famed for generosity. Ramalinganna was the founder of the Muktyala line.
Mukyala Fort
But of all the lineage, why is V.R.G.K.M. Prasad the one who became synonymous with the title ‘Muktyala Raja’?Let us find out.
Achievements
Elected representative to the Assembly of old Andhra state from Jaggayyapeta (known for its ancient buddhist sculpture), he was known as an MLA of the people. Even early on, he was active in working for the development of civic infrastructure. He understood very well that prosperity of the people and business success was made possible by public works and public minded thinking.
Despite his Royal background, he was less concerned with princely titles and more concerned with the common good.He personally saw to the construction of a road through thick forest.
The establishment of the Krishna Farmers Welfare Society is reputed to have been founded by him. This underscores the traditional commitment of Rajas who have a deep connection to the land and close relationship with farmers.
Above all, he was the driving force behind the construction of the tallest Masonry dam in the world: Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.
The world’s tallest masonry dam named after Acharya Nagarjuna would not have been a reality but for the perseverance of Muktyala Raja, who took along with him the likes of Acharya N.G. Ranga, Moturi Satyanarayana, K.L. Rao, Vavilala Gopalakrishna, and took the initiative in constructing the dam across the Krishna.[3]
He himself is credited with the proposal of Nagarjuna Sagar as the site for the dam construction, originally slated for Pulichintala. By some accounts, he personally donated some several thousand acres and lakhs of rupees to the construction of the immense dam, with facts that speak for themselves [4]:
Drinking water to over 1,000 villages and to cities like Hyderabad, Nalgonda, Miryalguda, Guntur, Ongole and Chilakaluripet
The value of the agriculture produce in the areas served by the dam is estimated at over Rs. 1 lakh crores annually.
600 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water flows from the dam to fields in the 6 districts
Nagarjunasagar’s reservoir, accounts for 408 tmcft at full level, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world
Legacy
“Muktyala Raja passed away on August 28, 1972, leaving behind a legacy of determination, hard work, and perseverance.” [3] As a leading force behind Nagarjuna Sagar dam, Muktyala Raja’s legacy is best described as follows:
Families of farmers, who could not afford one square meal a day, not only turned rich but provided employment to lakhs of idle hands across the countryside. Today, Andhra rice is exported even to Myanmar (Burma). The agony of Vijayawada, Macherla, Amaravathi and numerous other places caused by floods every season ended.[4]
Prosperity of the people and productive private enterprise was made possible through public works from public minded politicians. Whether as Raja of Muktyala or MLA, V.R.G.K.M. Prasad represented how real statesmen think and act.
Title or no title, he was a Raja who looked after his Praja.In an era where “wily politicians” are defined as those who barter away the most of the common inheritance for personal gain, he was a leader who gave away personal wealth for the common good.
Naysayers may argue that the credit for the dam goes to the engineers, Nehru, or the Public exchequer, but his personal initiative and investment has been attested to by all. But in remembering him, perhaps the best way would be to merely recite what was written about his own ancestral relative, Vasireddi Chandramauliswara:
His charitable disposition and tenderness of heart are well known, and in the fullness of time, there is every likelihood of the country being benefited substantially and materially by his numerous benefactions. He is equally famous for his gentlemanly behaviour, unostentatious simplicity, guileless heart, innocent modesty and other higher nobler qualities that distinguish great men.[2]
Despite his Royal background, he was less concerned with princely titles and more concerned with the common good.He personally saw to the construction of a road through thick forest.
wortful hitory to learn and i heartfully appriciate the contribution of raja garu sagar dam which has given livelyhood to luxury lakhs of people in ap
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