Prolaya Vema Reddy was known to be the first ruler who belonged to the Reddy Dynasty. This king had arranged a gigantic army which comprised herdsmen and several peasants and had introduced the concept of guerrilla warfare.
There is a popular legend which asserts that Prolaya Vema Reddy had polluted the lines of water supply of the Muslim army with sewage. As a consequence, his enemies contracted dysentery. Vema Reddy had entered into an alliance with Kapaya Nayaka, under the leadership of Veera Ballala III of Dwarasamudra. Malik Maqbul, who was the Tughlaq army`s general was chased by Prolaya Vema Reddy to the Warangal Fort. He eventually captured the fort, with the aide of Kapaka Nayaka. Thereafter, Vema Reddy had launched a violent, abrupt attack on Kondavidu Fort and beheaded Maliq Gurjar, who was the Muslim commander in the fort. Vundi, Nidudavolu and Pithapuram were then freed, after a few battles. Prolaya Reddy then won victory against Jalaluddin Shah`s army.
Vema Reddy ensured that Verra Ballala lost the battle and was skinned alive. Ibn Battuta had noticed the scene of his dried skin hanging on the walls of Madurai. He carried on his raids on the forts of Nagarjunakonda, Vinukonda and Bellamkonda.
After that, he proclaimed himself `Raja` or king. He had made Kondavidu his capital. Prolaya Vema Reddy had created the fort at Kondapalli. He had granted numerous `agraharas` to the Brahmins and therefore was gifted the title of `Apratima-Bhudana-Parasurama`. He had financed a considerable quantity of maintenance work, particularly to Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swami temple. He is said to have built a series of steps which led to the Krishna River right to the temple. During his regime, another famous temple known as Narasimha Swamy Temple was also constructed, which was situated at Ahobilam. As many as 108 temples were built which were all dedicated to Lord Shiva. Prolaya Vema Reddy`s rule also witnessed the translation of the Hindu epic of Mahabharata, which was performed by Errana.
Prolaya Vema Reddy patronised poets to a large extent. One of his court poets named Erra Pragada was the author of `Harivamsa`, as well as a part of the `Aranya Parva` of the `Andhra Mahabharatam`. Vema Reddy was granted the title of `Dharma Pratisthana Guru`.
