Sompalle

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This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS.

Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.

Sompalle

Village in the Madanapalle taluk of Cuddapah District, Madras, situated in 13° 51' N. and 78° 16" E. Population (1901), 3,656. It is known locally for its manufacture of glass bangles, which are made from alkaline earth found in the neighbourhood and are in considerable demand all over the District. It contains an old Vaish- nava temple dedicated to Chennakeswaraswami, in which are some exquisite stone carvings. In front of this stands a monolithic lamp- post of very graceful proportions, upwards of 50 feet in height. The temple is included in the list of ancient monuments selected for con- servation by Government, some portions of it being unique.

Sompalle was formerly the seat of a local chief. During the days of the Vijayanagar kings his family obtained five villages as an estate, and the grant was continued by the Sultans of Golconda on condition that he did military service, when called upon, with 400 foot-soldiers. The villages were resumed by the Marathas in 1756, but given back the next year. The chief was expelled in Haidar All's time by Mir Sahib, but again possessed himself of his estate during Lord Corn- wallis's campaign against Tipu. The last survivor of the family was a pensioner of the British for many years.