Tel: బొబ్బిలి bobbili
‘Great Tiger’ Town, Andhra Pradesh
The town of Bobbili was founded during the 17thC by Pedda Rayadu. He came into the area under the patronage of Sher [Hin/Urd: sher, ‘tiger’] Mohammad Khan who granted him land in recognition of his services.
He built a fort and town, naming it Pedda Puli (Great Tiger) after his patron [Tel: pedda, ‘royal, ‘great’; and puli, ‘tiger’]. The name was transformed in a fairly predictable way: Peddpul→iPebbuli→Bebbuli→Bobbili.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Andhra Pradesh place names.
Bobbili Fort Zoey Francis