Kakatiya dynasty

Kakatiya dynasty had ruled over many parts of eastern Deccan region of India between 12th and 14th centuries. In this article, you will learn about Kakatiya dynasty, rulers, founder, king names, Kakatiya kingdom map, administration, art, religion, defence, and society providing key insights for GS Paper-I Indian History and Art and Architecture section of UPSC IAS Exam.

Table of Content

• Table of Content              
• Who were the Kakatiyas?            
• Features of the rule of Kakatiyas dynasty
• Where were Kakatiyas mentioned?         
• Important rulers
• Administration & Defence of Kakatiya dynasty
• Society of Kakatiya dynasty
• Religion of Kakatiya dynasty
• Art, architecture and literature of Kakatiya dynasty
• Conclusion         
• Frequently Asked Questions       
• Reference           

Who were the Kakatiyas?

• The Kakatiya was a Telugu dynasty that had ruled many parts of eastern Deccanregion of India between 12th and 14th centuries.
  • Thus, Kakatiya dynasty time period was for more than 800 years.
• As per the Anumakonda inscription, Rudradeva I was the founder and the first independent ruler of the Kakatiya dynasty.
• The dynasty’s name might have originated from a town called Kakatipura, as the kings were titled “Kakatipuravallabha.”
• The Kakatiyas of Warangal belonged to the Durjaya family or clan.
• Motupalli was an important sea port of the Kakatiya dynasty.
• The name “Kakatiya” is derived from the revered goddess of power, Kakati Devi or Durga Mata.
• The Kakatiya Dynasty’s rulers were initially under the authority of the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi.
• It was established by the Beta I, a feudatory of the Eastern Chalukyas.
• When the Eastern Chalukya king Ammaraja II passed away, Beta I used this as an opportunity.
• In the year 1,000 A.D., Beta I declared independence and founded the Kakatiya dynasty.
• Beta I reigned over the Kakatiya Kingdom for 30 years before being succeeded by his son, Prola I.

Kakatiya Dynasty Map:

Features of the rule of Kakatiyas dynasty:

• During the Kakatiya reign, the Telugu region has experienced its brightest period.
• The Kakatiya rulers had expanded their empire from Warangal to Raichur in Karnataka.
• Warangal was the capital of the dynasty.
• The entire Telugu-speaking area was brought under their rule.
• They have promoted the Telugu language.

Where were Kakatiyas mentioned?

• There are inscriptions of the Kakatiyas present in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district.
• According to one inscription, the Kakatiyas were the kings of the solar race.
• King Prola II was described in his son Rudradeva’s inscription at Anamakonda.
• King Rudradeva was mentioned on the inscription in the Rudresvara temple at Anumakonda
  • It had revealed victories over many Chalukyan feudatories surrounding his kingdom.

Important rulers:

King Prola I (1030-1075 A.D.):

• Prola I has succeeded his father in 1030
• He was threatened by the Cholas,Nagavamsi of Chakrakuta and the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani.
  • Prola I had defeated Chakrakuta.
• Over his 36-year rule, Prola expanded the Kakatiya territories in all directions.
• After his reign, his son Beta II took over in 1075 A.D., who then moved the capital to Anamakonda while adopted the title Tribhuvanamalla.

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

• Prola II had defeated many rulers like Govindaraja (Chahamana dynasty), Gunda (Rashtrakuta), among others.

King Rudradeva (1158-1195 A.D.)

• Rudradeva succeeded his father Prola II in 1158 A.D. and was a formidable warrior.
• Rudradeva had engaged in many wars with rulers from both the east (Velanadu) and the west (Yadavas).
• He had constructed the Rudresvara temple in Anamakonda.
• He had authored the Sanskrit work “Nitisara.”
• His had extended his patronage to Saivite like Palkurki Somanatha.

King Mahadeva (1195-1198 A.D.)

• King Mahadeva’s rule lasted for only three years between 1195 and 1198 A.D.

King Ganapathideva (1198-1262 A.D.)

• Ganapathideva was the greatest of all the Kakatiyas.
• He was taken as prisoner by the Yadavas after his father Mahadeva was killed during the siege of Devagiri, the Yadava capital.
• Ganapathideva brought a large part of present-day Andhra Pradesh under his control, including the Velanadu and Vengi regions.
• He had conquered Kalinga and aided the ruler of Nellore– Manumasiddi, in regaining his kingdom.
• Ganapathideva’s had won the conquest of Kanchi and the subjugated the Yadavas of Devagiri.

Rani Rudrama Devi (1262 – 1296 A.D.):

• Rani Rudrama Devi was daughter of Ganapathideva.
• She was the first and only woman to rule over Andhra.
• To succeed as ruler, she took on the male name “Rudradeva.”
• She had defended her empire against the Cholas and Yadavas.
• She has completed the construction of the Warangal Fort, and captured other forts.
  • This Warangal Fort was the capital of Kakatiya dynasty.
  • The arches of the Warangal Fort was adopted as the symbol or emblem of the Kakatiya Dynasty.

Prataparudra (1296-1323 A.D.)

• Prataparudra has ascended the throne after the death of his grandmother in 1296.
• He had reorganized the Nayamkara system by appointing only Padmanayaks for the officer positions, and dismissed Nayaks belonging to other communities.
• His reign faced the Muslim invasion from the north in 1303.
• From 1303 to 1323, the Muslim rulers of Delhi had invaded the Kakatiya Empire multiple times, ultimately leading to its downfall.

Administration & Defence of Kakatiya dynasty:

• The Kakatiyan Dynasty brought together all the Telugu kings under one administration.
• The administration of the kingdom has emphasized military organization.
• In the process of succession, they had followed the law of primogeniture i.e., the eldest son or daughter inherits the kingdom.
• A council of ministers used to assist the Kakatiya rulers, along with that many officers at the centre, provincial and local level has assisted the ruler. 
• The territory was divided as Mandala, Nadu, Sthala, Seema and Bhumi. 
  • Naadu was ruled by Central Government.
  • Sthala was ruled by Provincial Government.
  • Each Sthala consists of about 20 villages.
  • For Village administration, there were 12 Ayagars in a village.
• The state affairs were divided into 77 Niyogas meaning departments.
• The Nayamkarasystem was the basis of military organization under which the ruler assigned fiefs to the Nayaks in lieu of salaries.
  • In return, the Nayaks have to maintain fixed number of armies, horses, and elephants for the ruler. 
• The Kakatiyas had also maintained a standing army who were directly respon­sible to the ruler.
  • They wereunder the control of the commanders. 
• Their subordinates were allowed to have freedom in all respects except in military matters.
• The had strongholds in:
  • Anumakonda and Gandikota among the “giridurgas“
  • Kandur and Narayanavanam among the “vanadurgas“
  • Divi and Kolanu among the “jaladurgas“
  • Warangal and Dharanikota among the “sthaladurgas“

Society of Kakatiya dynasty:

• The Kakatiya has inherited the cultural legacy of the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi
• Within the social structure, the castesystem remained the foundation of social organization.
  • The prominence of chaturdhavarna (the four-fold division of society) had increased.
• There was emergence of ruling classes like the Reddy, Kamma, Velama, Balija, and Naidu.
• The process of sankritisation continued, where lower castes used to follow the socio-religiouspractices of upper castes to gain higher status.
  • This led to emergence of new sub-castes like the Vishwa-Brahmins and Veerapanchalas.
• The integration of tribes into the mainstream of society also persisted, with forest tribes like the “Lenkas” providing services to upper castes.
• There were many issues such as gambling, and sati prevalent during this period.
• A social conflict between “Idangai” (right-handed castes – agriculturalists) and “Vedangai” (left-handed castes– professionals) emerged in the region.

Religion of Kakatiya dynasty

• Jainism experienced decline in the region.
• On the other hand, Saivism remained a popular sect with establishment of various branches such as Pashupathas, Agamanthas, and Kalamukhas.
• Vishweshwarasiva was a devoted follower of the Agamanthas sect and established “golaki” mathas to promote Saivism.
• Veer Shaivism of Brahannaidu flourished in places like Tirupati, Simhachalam, Srikakulam, and Nandaluru.
  • This ledto the emergence of a new community known as “Padmanaikas.”
• There persisted a sectarian conflict between Saivism and Vaishnavism.
• The poet Tikkana explained the conflict in his work “Harihara aaradhana” and suggested to revive the “smartha” system.
  • The smartha system had allowed the worship of multiple deities.

Art, architecture and literature of Kakatiya dynasty:

• In literature, both Sanskrit and Telugu received significant patronage.
• Kakati Rudra had composed the “Neetisaara” based on the Sanskrit text of the same name.
• Vidyanath was highly acclaimed poet in Prataparudra’scourt.
  • He had authored “Prataparudra Yashobhushanam,” a work on alankarashastra.
• Agastya had contributed to Telugu literature with “Balabhratam” and “Nalakeerthikaumudi.”
• The “Desa Kavitha”, “Basavapuranam”, and “Vipadhakavyas” like ‘Panditarajya Charitra’ were written by Palkuriki Somana in Telugu.
• He had contributed to “Sataka Literature” with his “Vrishadeepa Satakam.”
• Kethana’s “Dashakumara Charite” was the first khandhkavya in Telugu literature.
• Bodhena had written “Sumati Satakam.”
• Tripurantaka had written plays like “Premabhiramama.”
• Based on this text, Vinukonda Vallaba Raya wrote “Kreedabiramam.”
• Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, showcased a unique blend of architectural styles from both North and South India.
• The Thousand-Pillared Temple at Hanamkonda, constructed in 1162 AD had star-shaped design and features such as the Nandi pavilion.
• The temple within the Warangal fort was attributed to Kakatiya Ganapati.
  • It had utilized large slabs and had 4 gateways known as “Kirti Stambhas” facing the cardinal points.
• Tikkana Somayaji contributed to literary works such as authoring the Mahabharata in Telugu.

Conclusion

The Kakatiya dynasty was a significant and influential period in the history of South India as their reign was marked by achievements in architecture, art, culture, and governance, left a lasting legacy in the region. Despite facing challenges from neighbouring kingdoms, the Kakatiya dynasty exhibited resilience and adaptability, leaving behind an enduring impact on the socio-political landscape of South India. Their patronage of arts and culture of iconic structures like the Warangal Fort and the Thousand Pillar Temple was a testament to their grandeur.

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