Brief Explanation on Kakatiya Dynasty

Kakatiya Dynasty is most important area and many questions are expected from this section.

Period : 1083 AD–1323 AD

Capital : Orugallu (Warangal)

Languages: Telugu

Religion Patronised :Hinduism

Founder : Beta I .

Source of their history : Historians have found some inscriptions of Kakatiyas in Gutur district of Andhra Pradesh. According to one of the inscriptions, the kakatiyas are known to belong to solar race kings. Some historians believe that the kakatiyas who worshipped Goddess Kakati (Kakatamma) were from fishermen community.

Etymology :The name “Kakatiya” is derived from the highly revered goddess of power : Kakati Devi (Durga Matha). Kakati Devi was the goddess mother for the founding fathers of Kakatiya dynasty. Kakati could be the Goddess of Bhairavi, an other form of Durga.

The dynasty’s name might also be associated with a town known as Kakatipura (since the kings bore the title “Kakatipuravallabha”) . Kakatiyas belonged to the Durjaya family/clan.

Greatness

The Kakatiya reign is said to be the brightest period of the Telugu land with the Kakatiya rulers extending the empire beyond Warangal all th way upto Raichur, Karnataka. Warangal embellished their reign, as the metropolis of Andhra(Deccan) region, standing the testimony of time for nearly a millenium (more than 800 years). The stalwarts of the Kakatiyan Dynasty united all the Telugu kings under one administration and are the most brilliant monarchs ever to rule the Andhra region right up there with the Satavahanas.

The Kakatiya period was rightly called the brightest period of the Telugu history. The entire Telugu speaking area was under the kings who spoke Telugu and encouraged Telugu. They established order throughout the strife torn land and the forts built by them played a dominant role in the defence of the realm. Anumakonda and Gandikota among the `giridurgas’, Kandur and Narayanavanam among the `vanadurgas’, Divi and Kolanu among the `jaladurgas’, and Warangal and Dharanikota among the `sthaladurgas’ were reckoned as the most famous strongholds in the Kakatiya period. The administration of the kingdom was organized with accent on the military

HISTORY : Lineage of Kings

1.The rulers of Kakatiya Dynasty were originally the feudatory of the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi. Taking advantages of the confusion that followed after the death of the Eastern Chalukya king Ammaraja II , Beta I, a feudatory of the Eastern Chalukyas declared his independence by establishing a new dynasty in the year 1,000 A.D. He ruled the Kakatiya Kingdom for 30 years and was succeeded by his son Prola I.

2.Prola I (1030-1075 A.D.)

Prola I who succeeded his father in 1030 faced a critical situation as the small principality was threatened by both the Cholas and the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani. Nagavamsi of Chakrakuta (Bastar) tried to annex the new principality. Prola I was able to overcome all these dangers. He attacked Chakrakuta and defeated its ruler Dharavasu. During his rule of 36 years Prola was able to extend the Kakatias territories of his principality in all directions. He was succeeded by his son Beta II who ruled from 1075-1110 A.D. His reign was uneventful. He shifted his capital to Anamakonda near Warangal and took the title Tribhuvanamalla.

3.Prola II (1110-1158 A.D.)

Prola II was an important king of the early Kakatiyas. His exploits are described at length in the Anamakonda inscription of his son Rudradeva. He is credited to have defeated Mailapadeva, Govindaraja, Gunda and Jaggadeva. There is a great deal of controversy regarding the identity of these rulers and the location of their territories.

4.Rudradeva (1158-1195 A.D.)

Rudradeva who succeeded his father Prola II in 1158 A.D. was a great fighter. His exploits are described in his famous inscription in the Rudres­vara temple at Anumakonda. From this inscription it is evident that he had defeated a large number of Chalukyan feudatories round his kingdom. He was also engaged in numerous wars with the rulers of Velanadu in the east and Yadavas in the west.

Rudradeva was a great patron of art literature. He constructed the majes­tic Rudresvara temple in Anamakonda. He was the author of the Sanskrit work `Nitisara’. He extended his patronage to Saivite divines like Palkurki Somanatha

King Mahadeva ruled for only 3 years between 1195 and 1198 AD.

5.Ganapathideva (1198-1262 A.D.)

Ganapathideva was the greatest of all the Kakatiyas. He accompanied his father Mahadeva when the latter besieged Devagiri, the Yadava capital. Mahadeva was killed before the walls of Devagiri and Ganapathideva was taken prisoner by the Yadavas. The news of the death of Mahadeva and the arrest of Ganapathideva created great commotion in the Kakatiya kingdom. Many feudatories of the Kakatiyas rose in revolt and tried to assert their independence, but the loyal general of the Kakatiyas, Recherla Rudra, put down these revolts and looked after the kingdom. Ganapathideva was released in 1202 and allowed to return to his kingdom.

In the course of his long reign extending over sixty years Ganapathideva brought a great part of the present Andhra Pradesh under his control. He first turned his attention towards Velanadu and Vengi regions of coastal Andhra and brought them under his control. He conquered Kalinga. He helped Manumasiddi the ruler of Nellore in regaining his kingdom

The greatest triumph of the Ganapathideva was the con­quest of Kanchi and the subjugation of the Yadavas of Devagiri.

In spite of his engagements in numerous wars, Ganapathideva did not neglect the administration. In fact, he constructed many temples and improved irrigational facilities. He had also improved trade and commerce.

Ganapathideva had no son but two daughters only. The elder daughter was Rudramba and the younger Ganapamba. Rudramba was actively associ­ated in the administration of the kingdom. Ganapathideva passed away in 1262 A.D. after a glorious reign of 64 years. He is undoubtedly the greatest emperor of the Kakatiya dynasty. He brought a large part of the Telugu-speaking area under his control and laid the foundation for its development in agricultural, commercial and other spheres. He had the foresight to train his daughter in the art of administration by associating her in the govern­ment as early as 1240 A.D.

6.Rani Rudrama Devi (1262 – 1296 A.D.)

Rani Rudrama Devi was the daughter of Ganpathideva. She was one of the most influential women personality in Indian History. Infact, She was the only woman to rule over Andhra. She was declared Queen and given the male name “Rudradeva”.

Rani Rudrama Devi became the ruler of the Kakatiya Empire after the death of her Father. She was the daughter of Ganpathideva. She was the first and the only woman to rule over Andhra.

Ganpathideva did not had any son. After his death, his elder daughter, Rani Rudrama Devi, was coronated as the Queen of Kakatiya Dynasty and assumed the male name “Rudradeva”. Warangal was the Capital of Kakatiya Empire.

Her reign was marked by the uprising of her feudatories who did not like the succession of a woman to the throne. Rani Rudrama overcame all the difficulties and maintained the integrity of the empire. She was married to Veera Bhadra but lost him early. This incident gave her severe grief.

She is known for defending her empire from the Cholas and Yadavas. She also completed the contruction of Warangal Fort and and even captured many other forts. She had faith in religious beliefs and worshipped many goddesses.The administrative system of Rani Rudrama was efficient and the general people led a happy life.

7.Prataparudra (1296-1323 A.D.)

Prataparudra ascended the throne after the death of his grandmother, in 1296. He began his reign with a series of reforms in the administration. During the reign of Ganapathideva the governors of different areas of the empire known as Nayaks were appointed from the members of different castes. This was known as the Nayamkara system. Prataparudradeva reorganized this system appointing only Padmanayaks to these officers. He dismissed Nayaks belonging to other communities.

His reforming activity ended in 1303 when the empire had to face the first shock of a Muslim invasion from the north. From 1303 to 1323 the Muslim rulers of Delhi invaded five times and finally annihilated the Kakatiya Empire.

End of the Empire

The king of Delhi Sultanate Ala-ud-din Khilji the famous ruler send his army for defeating the empire in AD 1303. Upparhalli which the Prataparuda District overpowered them. Again in AD 1310 Malik Kafur sent his army to capture Warangal and invade it. Another major invasion of Muslims in Kakatiya Dynasty took place in order to capture ‘Tilling’, Ghiaz-ud-din Tughlaq the ruler of Tughlaq Dynasty sent his huge army under the leadership of Ulguh Khan during AD 1321. How ever due to some blockades faced by him due to some internal rebellions withdrew the army and left to Delhi. He only went back to return in a very short while and came back with huge army against Prataparuda where he was defeated and forced to surrender and then Prataparuda was taken as a prisoner. This marked an end to the Kakatiya Dynasty.

Society, religion and culture

The age of kakatiya marks a distinct phase in the cultural history of Telugus. They not only inherited the cultural heritage of the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi , but also substantially enriched and developed it.

SOCIETY :

In the social framework, the caste system continued to be the basis for the social organisation. Though, the Brahmins continued to enjoy the privileged position, the chaturdhavarna rose to prominance . The reddy, kamma, velama, balija and naidu’s emerged as a ruling class.

The process of sankritisation (social phenomenon by which lower castes emulate the socio-religious practices of the upper caste to gain a higher heiarchy in the social position) continued. As a result , new sub-castes like the vishwa-brahmins and veerapanchalas emerged in the society

The amalagamation of the tribes into the mainstream of the socity continued. The forest tribes like the ”lenkas” entered into the mainstream of the society to render services to the upper castes.

As the economy under the kakatiya’s flourished well, the social evils cropped up . Vinukonda Vallabha raya in his ”Kreedabhiramam”, an illustrated work on contemporary society talks about the prostitution, gambling, sati etc of this age.

The social conflict called ”Idangai”(right handed castes- agriculturalists) and ”vedangai”(left handed castes- professionals) entered the telugudesa began . The kakatiyas could strike a balance and maintain social harmony by accomodating all the sections in their administrative system

Religion:

This age witnessd the virtual elimination of Jainism from the telugudesa. According to the ”Siddheswara charitra” , Ganapatideva under the influence of Tikkanna , somayaji and his master Viswesawarasiva destroyed the jain settlements.

”saivism” continued to flourish as the popular sect. The saiva sects like the pashupathas, agamanthas and kalamukhas were well estblished. Vishweshwarasiva , an ardent follower of agamantaha sect founded ”golaki” mathas to promote saivism.

veer shaivism of brahannaidu fluotished in tirupati, simhachalam, srikakulam, nandaluru. Due to its impact, a new community called ”padmanaikas” was founded.

The sectarian conflict between saivism and vaishnavism continued. The great poet ”tikkana” made an attempt to end the conflict in his ”Harihara aaradhana” and by reviving ”smartha” system which permitted worshipping of nay God.

Cultural development :

The great cultural development under the kakatiyas influenced each and every sphere of the social life. Infact cultural development has witnessed its last stage in telugudesa under kakatiyas.

In the field of literature, both sanskrit and telugu were given due patronage. Kakati rudra wrote the ”neetisaara” on the basis of the sanskrit text ”neetisaara”(same name) .

Vidyanath , most popular poet in the court of prataparudra wrote ”prataparudra yashobhushanam”, a text on alankarashastra.

Agastya wrote ”balabhratam” and ”nalakeerthikaumudi”.

In the telugu literature, desa kavitha movement started with palkuriki somana. He wrote ”vipadhakavyas” like ‘panditarajya charitra’ and ‘basavapuranam’. He also contributed for the ‘sataka literature’ with his ”vrishadeepa satakam”.

Kethana wrote ”dashakumara charite”, the first khandhkavya in telugu literature.

Bodhena enriched the telugu literature with his ”sumati satakam”.

The art of wrtiting plays was perfected by tripurantaka wgo wrote the street play ”premabhiramama”. On the basis of this text Vinukonda Vallaba raya wrote ”kreedabiramam” .

Music and Dance :

Classics were composed during this age. ”jayapasenani” was the celebrated author of ”vijayaratnavali”, ”nrutyaratnavali” and ”geetharatnavali”. The literary works bear a testimony to the development of the fine arts.

Painting :

Machaladevi was an accomplished painter in the court of prataparudra. She founded a school for promoting painting called ”chitrashala” at warangal. The text ”pratapacharite” tells us that there were around 1500 painters in warangal .

Art and literature of Kakatiya dynasty

A distinct ”kakatiya school of architecture” was developed. Its unique aspects were, the city entrance pillars called ”nagara toranas”, extensive use of stone pillars with richly carved designs and structures and templed grafted platforms(Adishtanas).

”kakati prola” constructed the ”siddeshwara” and ”padmakshi” temples in hanamakonda, ”swayambhu” and ”kesava” temples in warangal.

He constructed the magnificent 1000 pillar temple in hanamakonda

The Kakatiya dynasty expressed itself best through religious art. Kakatiya art preserved the balance between architecture and sculpture, that is, while valuing sculpture, it laid emphasis on architecture where due.

Ramappa temple

The Kakatiya temples, dedicated mostly to Siva, reveal in their construction a happy blending of the styles of North India and South India which influenced the political life of the Deccan.The most important of these temples are those at Palampeta, Hanamkonda and the incomplete one in the Warangal fort.

The temple at Palampeta, described as the `brightest gem in the galaxy of Medieval Deccan temple architecture’, was constructed by Recherla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya Ganapati, in S.1135 (A.D.1213).

The figures in the temple are of a heterogeneous character comprising gods, goddesses, warriors, acrobats, musicians, mithuna pairs in abnormal attitudes and dancing girls. The sculptures, especially of the dancing girls, possess the suggestion of movement and pulsating life. A striking peculiarity of this temple is the figure-brackets which spring from the shoulders of the outer pillars of the temple. The figure-brackets are mere ornaments and represent the intermediate stage between their earlier analogues at Sanchi and the later examples at Vijayanagara.

The Thousand-Pillared Temple at Hanamkonda, built by the Kakatiya king Rudra in A.D.1162, is similar in style and workmanship to the Ramappa temple. This temple, dedicated to Siva, Vishnu and Surya, is star-shaped. The Nandi pavilion, in which a huge granite bull still stands, the beautiful entrances to the shrine, the pierced slabs used for screens and windows, and the elegant open work by which the bracket-shafts are attached to the pillars are the other most interesting features of this temple.

The temple in the Warangal fort, believed to have been built by Kakatiya Ganapati, was constructed making use of large slabs. The floor of the shrine is beautifully polished and shines like a mirror. An interesting feature of this temple is the

Ruins of Warangal Fort

four gateways called `Kirti Stambhas’ which face the four cardinal points of the compass. In their design the gateways are reminiscent of the `toranas’ of the Great Stupa at Sanchi. The architecture and sculpture of these temples are thus conventional to a degree but no one can deny their magnificence nor can any one fail to see the rich imagination, patient industry and skilful workmanship of the builders of the temples of the Kakatiya period.

The Rulers of Kakatiya Dynasty had great patronage for art and literature. They took initiative to promote Sanskrit and during this period there was revival of Sanskrit literature. Among the rulers, Prataparuda had good writing flair which is interesting to note. He even promoted literature. The rulers had a treasure for the religious art. They also built temples of Lord Shiva which were perfect examples of blending between the style forms of northern and southern India.

During AD 1162, the Thousand-Pillared Temple at Hanamkonda was built by the Kakatiya Dynasty. King Rudramba built this in is similar style and workmanship to the Ramappa temple. This temple is dedicated to Siva, Vishnu and Surya, and is star-shaped. The Nandi pavilion is also famous in which a huge granite bull still stands, which has the beautiful entrances to the shrine with pierced slabs used for screens and windows and an elegant open work by which the bracket-shafts are attached to the pillars are the other most interesting features of this temple.

Warangal Fort

Warangal fort temple had been built by Kakatiya Ganapati, which was constructed making use of large slabs. Floor of the temple shrine is beautifully polished and twinkles like a mirror. An interesting feature of Warangal fort temple is there are four gateways called ‘Kirti Stambhas’ which face the four cardinal points of the compass.

The design of the gateways is redolent like the ‘toranas’ of the Great Stupa at Sanchi. The architecture and sculpture of these temples are magnificent as no one can fail to see the rich imagination, patient industry and skilful workmanship of the builders of the temples of the Kakatiya period.

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Though Saivism continued to be the religion of the masses, intellectuals favoured revival of Vedic rituals. They sought to reconcile the Vaishnavites and the Saivites through the worship of Harihara. Arts and literature found patrons in the Kakatiyas and their feudatories. Tikkana Somayaji, who adorned the court of the Telugu Chola ruler Manumasiddhi II, wrote the last 15 cantos of the Mahabharata which was lying unfinished. Sanskrit, which could not find a place in the Muslim-occupied north, received encouragement at the hands of the Kakatiyas. Prataparudra was himself a writer and he encouraged other literature.