The creation of a separate state of Telangana was the culmination of the aspirations of its people. Although much has been written on the reasons for this popular aspiration for statehood, its historical roots have remained unclear. The Formation and History of Telangana fills this gap by identifying the causes and events that led to the formation of the state.

The essays study the origins and growth of the Kakatiya empire, the foundational dynasty on which Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were built, and its two defining elements: the feudal structure and the rule of the Kakatiya feudal elite. The critical issue of land tax in South India, agricultural productivity and income, and wealth and taxation in Telangana for over 700 years, are also explored.

Drawing from rare historical archives, the later essays explore two reports that played a key role in the formation of Telangana: the Pundit Sundarlal Report and the Report of the Official Commission appointed to investigate the 1952 Mulki riots. The book concludes with an examination of the differences between Hindu and Muslim household incomes in Telangana, through data sourced from the Sachar Committee, the Kundu Report and the Sudhir Commission.