Kakatiya dynasty

Kakatiya dynasty
1163[1]–1323
Map of the Kakatiyas, circa 1150–1300 CE.[2]
Status	Empire (Subordinate to Western Chalukyas until 1163)
Capital	Orugallu (Warangal)
Common languages	Telugu Sanskrit Kannada[3][4]
Religion	Hinduism (Converted from Jainism)[5]
Government	Monarchy
King
History
• Earliest rulers	c. 800
• Established	1163[1]
• Disestablished	1323
Preceded by Succeeded by Eastern Chalukyas Western Chalukya Empire Reddi Kingdom Musunuri Nayakas Delhi Sultanate Bahmani Sultanate Vijayanagara Empire
Today part of	India

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Chronology of the Telugu people, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana history
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History and Kingdoms
Dynasties Assaka Satavahanas Andhra Ikshvaku Ananda Gotrika Salankayanas Vishnukundinas Pallava dynasty Eastern Chalukyas Chola dynasty Kota Vamsa Chagi Velanati Chodas Kakatiya dynasty Musunuri Nayaks Recherla Nayaks Pemmasani Nayaks Vijayanagara Empire Reddy dynasty Gajapati Empire Bahmani Sultanate Qutb Shahi dynasty Hyderabad State British Raj
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The Kakatiya dynasty (IAST: Kākatīya)^[a] was an Indian dynasty that ruled most of eastern Deccan region in present-day India between 12th and 14th centuries.^[6] Their territory comprised much of the present day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and parts of eastern Karnataka, northern Tamil Nadu, and southern Odisha.^[7][8] Their capital was Orugallu, now known as Warangal.The Kakatiya rulers traced their ancestry to a legendary chief or ruler named Durjaya, a descendant of Karikala Chola.

Early Kakatiya rulers served as feudatories to Rashtrakutas and Western Chalukyas for more than two centuries. They assumed sovereignty under Prataparudra I in 1163 CE by suppressing other Chalukya subordinates in the Telangana region.^[9] Ganapati Deva (r. 1199–1262) significantly expanded Kakatiya lands during the 1230s and brought under Kakatiya control the Telugu-speaking lowland delta areas around the Godavari and Krishna rivers. Ganapati Deva was succeeded by Rudrama Devi (r. 1262–1289) who is one of the few queens in Indian history. Marco Polo, who visited India around 1289–1293, made note of Rudrama Devi's rule and nature in flattering terms. She successfully repelled the attacks of Yadavas (Seuna) of Devagiri into the Kakatiyan territory.^[9]

In 1303, Alauddin Khalji, the emperor of the Delhi Sultanate invaded the Kakatiya territory which ended up as a disaster for the Turks.^[b] But after the successful siege of Warangal in 1310, Prataparudra II was forced to pay annual tribute to Delhi. Another attack by Ulugh Khan (i.e. Tughluq) in 1323 saw stiff resistance by the Kakatiyan army, but they were finally defeated. The demise of Kakatiya dynasty resulted in confusion and anarchy under alien rulers for sometime, before Musunuri Nayaks united the various Telugu clans and recovered Warangal from the Delhi Sultanate.^[10]

Kakatiyas unified the distinct upland and lowland cultures of Telugu lands, which brought into being a feeling of cultural affinity between those who spoke the Telugu language. Kakatiya period also saw the construction of reservoirs for irrigation in the uplands called "tanks" many of which are still used today. They were egalitarian in nature and anyone, regardless of birth, could acquire the nayaka title that denoted the warrior status. They recruited peasants into the military which resulted in a new warrior class and provided social mobility. Kakatiya era also saw the development of a distinct style of architecture which improved and innovated upon the existing modes.^[11] Most notable examples are the Thousand Pillar Temple in Hanamkonda, Ramappa Temple in Palampet, Warangal Fort, Golconda Fort and Kota Gullu in Ghanpur.

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