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Kakatiya dynastyThe Kakatiya dynasty (Telugu: కాకతీయ సామ్రాజ్యము) was an Indian dynasty that ruled most parts of whatis now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 CE to 1323 CE[1] ,with Orugallu (Telugu: ఓరుగల్లు) ( now WarangalTelugu: వరంగల్) as its capital. Orugallu is also called 'Eka Sila Nagaram'(Telugu: ఏక శిలా నగరం). Shaivite Hinduin nature, it was one of the great Telugu kingdoms that lasted for centuries.

Early historyGundaya (950 CE) was the first known historical figure among the Kakatiyas.[2] He sacrificed his life in the serviceof the Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna II while fighting against the Eastern Chalukyas. The grateful Krishna II placedGundaya's son Eriya in charge of Kurravadi near Warangal. This kingdom was created as a check on the MudigondaChalukyas on the eastern borders of the Rashtrakuta Empire.[3] Eriya made Kakatipura his capital. Eriya's grandsonKakartya Gundyana rendered help on behalf of his master Krishna III to Danarnava in setting aside his brotherAmma II and occupying the throne of Vengi, as a result of which he got Natavadi as a token of gratitude. Gundyana'sson and successor Betaraja I took advantage of the Chalukya-Chola conflict and carved out for himself a smallprincipality. His son and successor Prola I obtained by way of grant, Hanamkonda from Somesvara I. Beta II, sonand successor of Prola, ruled between 1076 CE and 1108 CE. During his period, orugallu became the capital of theKakatiyas. Prola II the younger brother of Beta II was the most famous among the early Kakatiya rulers. When theChalukyan power began to decline, Prola II took advantage of the confused situation and proclaimed independence.He also defeated and killed Gunda, the ruler of Mantrakuta (Nuzividu taluk of Krishna district) and annexed it to hiskingdom. However, in his attempts to occupy the Velanati kingdom he lost his life at the hands of Rajendra Choda,the prince of the Velanati Telugu Chodas of Chandolu. This was the emergence of the Kakatiya dynasty in its ownright.

Rudra DevaProla II was succeeded by Rudradeva (1158–1195). Rudradeva, also known as Prataparudra I, was the eldest son ofProla II. By the year 1162 CE, Rudradeva vanquished a number of his enemies and transformed his petty principalityinto an extensive kingdom. Rudradeva devoted the later part of his reign to the conquest of the coastal region. Heconsolidated and pushed the kingdom to the east up to the Godavari delta. Thousand Pillar Temple was built by KingRudra Deva in 1163 AD at Hanumakonda. During the years 1176-82 CE the battle of Palanadu was fought.Rudradeva rendered military assistance to Nalagama's faction. In this battle, the military strength of Velanadu hadgot weakened. Exploiting the situation, Rudradeva led his forces into coastal Andhra and conquered up to Srisailamand Tripurantakam in the south. In the last year of his reign (1195 CE), he came into conflict with the Seunas(Yadavas) of Devagiri. Rudra suffered defeat and death in his encounter with Jaitrapala I. After Rudradeva's deathand the imprisonment of his nephew Ganapati in the hands of the Yadavs, his younger brother Mahadeva ascendedthe throne and ruled the kingdom for a short span of about three years (1196-1198 CE). He led an expedition againstthe Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri to avenge Rudra's death and also to release his son Ganapati. He lost his life in thebattle.

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History of Andhra Pradesh

A great architectural marvel, Ramappa Templein Andhra pradesh, India.

Chronology of Telugu/Andhra history

Ancient Andhra Kingdom

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Geography  ·   Political history

Satavahanas

Ikshvaku dynasty

Salankayanas

Vishnukundinas

Eastern Chalukyas

Kakatiya dynasty

Musunuri Nayaks

Vijayanagara Empire

Madurai Nayaks

Tanjore Nayaks

Ganapati DevaFollowing the death of Mahadeva disorder broke out in the kingdom. Recherla Rudra, the commander-in-chief of theKakatiya ruler, saved the kingdom from crumbling. Ganapatideva was set free by Jaitrapala due to politicalconsiderations like his desire to secure himself against an attack from Warangal in the event of a conflict with theaggressive Hoysalas in the south. Ganapatideva's reign lasted for 2000 years. It is one of the most brilliant epochs inthe history. Ganapati during his long reign brought under his sway almost the whole land inhabited by the Teluguspeaking people, from Karimnagar and Anakapalle in the north to Ongole in the south . Though Ganapatideva wasalive until 1269 CE he handed over the threads of administration to his daughter Rudramadevi in 1262 A.D. itselfand retired from active politics.Ganapatideva was known as the greatest of the Kakatiyas and the first after the Satavahanas to bring the entire Telugu area under one rule. He put an end to the rule of the Telugu Cholas in the year 1216 who accepted his suzerainty. He established order in his vast dominion and encouraged trade. It is around this period that the Golconda

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fort was constructed, as well as beautiful temples in the Kakatiya art form such as Ramappa Temple at the tinyvillage of Palampet outside of Warangal.

RudramadeviThe most prominent ruler in this dynasty was Rani Rudrama Devi 1262-1289 CE, one of the few queens in Indianhistory. She was born as Rudramba to Ganapathideva who had no sons. She was formally designated as a sonthrough the ancient Putrika ceremony and given the male name of Rudradeva and declared the Queen. Rudramadeviwas married to Veerabhadra, Eastern Chalukyan prince of Nidadavolu[4] . Despite initial misgivings by some of hergenerals who resented a female ruler, she suppressed the internal rebellions and external incursions. An able fighterand ruler Rudramba defended the kingdom from the Cholas and the Yadavs, earning their respect. She remains oneof the few female powers of the South India for all time.

PrataparudraRudramadevi died in the month of November, 1289 CE., fighting battle against the rebel Kayastha chief Ambadeva.On the death of Rudrama, her grandson Prataparudra, who was adopted by her as son and as heir apparent on theadvice of her father Ganapatideva, ascended the throne at the beginning of the year 1290 CE. Prataparudra had tofight battles throughout his reign against either the internal rebels or the external foes. Prataparudra expandedborders towards the west till Raichur, whilst introducing many administrative reforms, some of which were also lateradopted in the Vijayanagar empire.

Social Status and Marital AlliancesDuring the reign of Ganapati Deva small Andhra kingdoms like Chagi, Parichedas, Kota Vamsa and VelanatiChodas became vassals of Kakatiyas. From the period of Ganapati Deva Kakatiyas started having marital allianceswith Eastern Chalukyas, Chagi, Kota Vamsa and Bhanj dynasty of Orissa.Ganapati Deva married Naramamba and Peramamba, sisters of the commander of the Kakatiya elephant corps,Jayapa Senani. Ganapati Deva's sister Melambika was married to the second son of Chagi Buddaraju, who wasruling Natavadi region.[5] Ganapatideva's first daughter Rudramadevi was married to Veerabhadra, EasternChalukyan prince of Nidadavolu[4] and his second daughter Ganapamba was married to Kota Betaraja.[6] [7] Afterthis marital alliance with the three Kshatriya clans of Chagis, Eastern Chalukyas and Kota Vamsa, Kakatiyas startedclaiming Kshatriya status as evidenced by an inscription found in Guntur District.[8] [9] As Rudramma Devi'shusband Veerabhadra was from Eastern Chalukya family of Kashyapa gotra, subsequently Kakatiya rulersmentioned themselves as Kshatriyas of Kashyapa Gotra in their inscriptions.[8] [9]

The Demise of the DynastyThe conquest of South India (Deccan) by the Delhi Sultanate started in 1296 CE when Alauddin Khilji, the son-in-Law and commander of the Sultan Jalaluddin raided and plundered Devagiri (Maharashtra)[10] . Khilji subsequently murdered the Sultan and took over the reins of the Sultanate. The glory and wealth of the Kakatiya kingdom attracted the attention of Khilji. The first foray into the Telugu kingdom was made in 1303 CE by the Sultan’s armies led by Malik Fakruddin. It was a disaster because of the valiant resistance of the Kakatiya army in the battle at Upparapalli (Karimnagar District)[11] . The second attempt was made in 1309 CE by Malik Kafur who managed to capture Siripur and Hanumakonda forts. Warangal fort was taken after a prolonged seize[12] . Malik Kafur indulged in murder and mayhem around the fort which prompted King Prataparudra to make a pact and offer an enormous amount of tribute. Prataparudra asserted his independence in 1320 CE when there was a change of power in Delhi. The Khilji dynasty ended and Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq ascended the Delhi throne. Tughlaq sent his son Ulugh Khan in 1323 CE to defeat the defiant Kakatiya king. Ulugh Khan’s (Muhammad bin Tughluq) raid was

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repulsed but he returned in a month with a larger and determined army. The unprepared and battle-weary army ofWarangal was finally defeated, and King Prataparudra was taken prisoner. He committed suicide by drowninghimself in the river Narmada, while being taken to Delhi.The demise of Kakatiya dynasty resulted in confusion and anarchy under alien rulers for sometime. Later MusunuriNayaks who served as army chiefs for Kakatiya kingdom united the Telugu people and recovered Warangal from theDelhi Sultanate and ruled for half a century[13] [14] .The Royal family of Bastar[15] state that Kakatiya King Pratap Rudra's brother, Annam Deo, left Warangal andestablished his kingdom at Bastar,[16] Chhattisgarh around the late 14th century. A daughter of a later descendantnamed Raja Rudra Pratap Deo, Praphul Kumari Devi ascended the throne in 1922. Later in 1927, she was married toPraphul Kumar Bhanj Deo, who belonged to the royal family of Mayurbhanj[17] . Praphul Kumari Devi died in 1936in London and her elder son Maharaja Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo Kakatiya ascended the throne in 1936 at a minorage. Praphul Kumari Devi is believed to be the last link to the Kakatiyas. The current descendant of this dynasty isKomal Chandra Bhanj Deo.

The Legacy

Kakatiya mandapam at AP state museum,Hyderabad

The Kakatiya dynasty is regarded as one of the golden ages in Teluguhistory. The kingdom was ruled by Telugu speaking rulers whoencouraged literature, art and architecture. The Thousand-pillarTemple in Hanumakonda (now merged with Warangal) stands astestimony to this. The famous Kohinoor diamond which was unearthedin Kollur on the banks of Krishna river during their reign, was amongthe booty carried to Delhi after the dynasty's fall. Ramappa Temple,located 77 km from Warangal and still intact today is an example ofbrilliant Kakatiya art and sculpture.

Kakatiya dynasty rulers* Beta I (1000-1030)

* Prola I (1030-1075)

* Beta II (1075-1110)

* Prola II (1110-1158)

* Rudradeva I (1158-1195)

* Mahadeva (1195-1198): brother of King Rudradeva

* Ganapathi deva (1199-1261)

* Rudrama devi (1262-1296)

* Prataparudra/ Rudradeva II (1296-1323): Son of Queen Rudramba

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Notes[1] Gribble, J.D.B., History of the Deccan, 1896, Luzac and Co., London[2] Sastry, P.V. Parabrahma, The Kakatiyas of Warangal, 1978, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad[3] Altekar, A.S. The Rashtrakutas and Their Times, Oriental series No. 36, Oriental Book Agency, Poona, 1934[4] History of the Minor Chāḷukya Families in Medieval Āndhradēśa By Kolluru Suryanarayana (http:/ / books. google. com/

books?id=f6seAAAAMAAJ& q=kakatiya+ chalukya+ prince+ marriage& dq=kakatiya+ chalukya+ prince+ marriage& pgis=1)[5] No. 254(AR No. 204 of 1905) Melambika, sister of Kakatiya Ganapatideva and wife of Rudra, son of Buddaraja, chief of Natavadi

consecrated the image of Mailambikesvara in the temple of Tripurantaka[6] Annual Report By Archaeological Survey of India, John Hubert Marshall (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=qhwTAAAAIAAJ&

q=kota+ kakatiya& dq=kota+ kakatiya& pgis=1)[7] Social and Cultural Life in Medieval Andhra By M. Krishna Kumari (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=WKtAAAAAMAAJ& q=kota+

kakatiya& dq=kota+ kakatiya& pgis=1)[8] Social and Economic Conditions in Eastern Deccan from $A.D. 1000 to A.D. 1250 By A. Vaidehi Krishnamoorthy (http:/ / books. google.

com/ books?id=YekEAAAAMAAJ& q=kakatiya+ chalukya+ prince+ marriage& dq=kakatiya+ chalukya+ prince+ marriage& pgis=1)[9] The history of India By Mountstuart Elphinstone (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=y2UBAAAAQAAJ& pg=PA241& dq=kakatiya+

chalukya+ prince#PPA242,M1)[10] Ventakaramanayya, N. The Early Muslim Expansion in South India, 1942[11] A History of India, H. Kulke and D. Rothermund, 1998, Routledge, p.160, ISBN 0415154820[12] A Social History of the Deccan: 1300-1761, R. M. Eaton, 2005, Cambridge University Press, pp. 16-20, ISBN 0521254841[13] Sarma, M. Somasekhara; A Forgotten Chapter of Andhra History 1945, Andhra University, Waltair[14] Pre-colonial India in Practice, Cynthia Talbot, 2001, Oxford University Press, pp.177-182, ISBN 0195136616[15] [Bastar Royal Family http:/ / bastar. nic. in/ ][16] (http:/ / www. uq. net. au/ ~zzhsoszy/ ips/ b/ bastar. html)[17] (http:/ / www. uq. net. au/ ~zzhsoszy/ ips/ m/ mayurbhanj. html)

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Article Sources and ContributorsKakatiya dynasty  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=408952945  Contributors: Adimovk5, Ahoerstemeier, Alexius08, Altruism, Amit.vishwakarma82, Aphistory1,Aravind226, Bhaskar kusar, Burgundavia, Butseriouslyfolks, ChrisCork, Cleared as filed, Cmdrjameson, Cooldude001, Dbachmann, Deeptrivia, Dev, Deville, Dewan357, Dineshkannambadi,Drm 1976, Fconaway, Gaius Cornelius, Gnanapiti, Go4ash, Greenshed, Gurubrahma, Idleguy, Indianprithvi, Kc27, Koganti83, Kumarrao, Kummi, Kusma, Lakshminivas, Lykantrop, Mattisse,Mlpkr, Munci, NekoDaemon, Paris1127, PeterHeins, Pinecar, Prometheus.pyrphoros, Raghukishore, Rajasekhar1961, Rama's Arrow, Ramswiki99, Randhirreddy, Rich Farmbrough, Ricky81682,Rjwilmsi, Rockingrio, Sarvagnya, Shivasharanappa, Shyamsunder, Simynazareth, Srirangam99, Swethapriya4, Tejam, Tejas.B, Tim1357, Tobias Conradi, Tom Radulovich, Vamsheekreddy,Venkatsajja7, Vital revolutionary, Vssun, Vyzasatya, Zzuuzz, 86 anonymous edits

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