Kakatiyas

Kakatiyas were called so because their Chief deity was Goddess Kakati. They were originally the feudatories of the Eastern Chalukyas.

1. Beta I (1000-1030 A.D)
Considered as the founder of the dynasty. When the Eastern Chalukyas were beset with internal problems Beta took advantage of the situation and became the independent ruler of the territory, called Karvidesamu.

2. Prolai (1030-75 A.D)
(a) He became a subordinate ally of the Western Chalukyas and was given Hanamkonda region by the latter.
(b) He was responsible for the .construction of the famous Kesari Tank.

3. Beta II (1075-1110 A.D)
(a) He also accepted the position of subordinate ally of the Western Chalukyas and was given the Sabbi district by them.
(b) He had two titles, namely Mahamandaleswara and Chalamartiganda.

4. Prola II (1110-58 A.D)
(a) He broke off Kakatiya relations with the Western Chalukyas.
(b) He extended his territory by defeating his neighbours and annexing their territories.

5. Rudra Deva (1158-95 A.D)
(a) He brought the whole of Telangana under his control and also annexed Draksharama and Srisaiiam regions. But unfortunately he lost his life in a battle with Jaitrapala Yadava of Devagiri.
(b) He was responsible for the foundation of the city of Warangal and also the construction of the Thousand Pillared Temple at Hanumakonda.

6. Mahadeva (1195-98 A.D)
He was also killed by the Yadava ruler of Devagiri when he tried to take revenge for the murder of his elder brother (Rudradeva) by the Yadavas.

7. Ganapatideva (1198-1262 A.D)
(a) When he ascended the throne, the political situation in Andhra Desa was very fluid. Being an able general and a farsighted statesman, he exploited the situation to his advantage and brought all the Telugu speaking people under a united rule.
The areas conquered by him included Velanadu region, Pakanadu and Kammanadu districts, part of Kalinga, Cuddapah and Kurnool districts (known as Renadu), Motupalli area, etc. Besides, he established friendship with the Nellore Chodas and helped them against the Pandya ruler.
(c) Since he did not have any male issues, he appointed his eldest daughter, Rudramadevi, as the heir apparent and trained her in state craft.

8. Rudramadevi (1262-89)
(a) She was the only woman ruler of Kakatiya dynasty as well as of the Andhradesa. Besides, she can also be considered as one of the most capable female rulers of India.
(b) She successfully tackled all the internal troubles created by the feudatories and the external threats, Mahadeva Yadava of Devagiri, her formidable rival was defeated and driven away when he invaded the Kakatiya territory.
(c) Marco polo visited India during her reign.

9. Pratapa Rudradeva (1289-1323 A.D)
(a) The grandson of Rudramadevi, he was the last Kakatiya ruler. Under his rule, the Kakatiya power reached its Zenith and also crashed suddenly.
(b) Alauddin Khalji's general, Malik Kafur, invaded the Kakatiya Kingdom and defeated Pratapa Rudra in 1309, but left the territory after a huge war indemnity was paid to him.
(c) The second defeat of Pratapa Rudra by the Muslims took place in 1318. This time the Muslim forces were led by one Khusrau Khan, the general of Mubarak Khalji. Again Pratapa Rudra had to purchase peace by offering a huge amount.
(d) Muhammad-bin-Tughluq, whose original name was Juna Khan and who was given the title of Ulugh Khan by his father, invaded the Kakatiya Kingdom twice as the crown-prince. Though he was repelled by Pratapa Rudra in his first attempt, he was successful in defeating and capturing Pratapa in his second attempt (1323). pratapa Rudra is said to have died on his way to Delhi as a prisoner of war.

They extended liberal patronage to several scholars and poets in Sanskrit as well as Telugu. Pratapa Rudradeva's court, in particular, was adorned by prominent literary men like Vidyanatha (a great scholar), Mallinatha (a great commentator) Induri Rudradeva (a famous grammarian), Agastya (a famous scholar) Gangadhara (the first dramatist), Narasimha (son of Gangadhara), Appayya and Viswanatha (famous poets), etc.

Authors (works)
1. Vidyanatha (Pratapa Rudra Yasobhushanam, Virabhallala Desika)
2. Agastya (Bala Bharatam, Nalakirthi Kaumudhi)
3. Ranganatha (Ranganatha Ramayanam)
4. Tripurantaka (Premabhiramam)
5. Narasimha (Kakatiya Charita)
6. Appayya (Jinendra Kalyana Abhyudhayam)

1. Hanumakonda Prasasthi (eulogy) of Rudradeva was composed in Sanskrit by Achintendra.
2. Ganapavaram Prasasthi was composed by Nandi.
3. The Pakhal Inscription was composed by Kavi Chakravarthi.

More info on: History of Andhra Pradesh