Kakatiyas: Telangana's Golden Age and Enduring Legacy

Anshika Rana

Kakatiyas: Telangana's Golden Age and Enduring Legacy

Warangal, located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, was the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty, which ruled the region for approximately 150 years. The city was renowned for its distinct blend of North and South Indian architectural styles and was a centre of cultural and political activity. However, the city's fortunes declined after it was conquered by the Tughlaqs, who ruled Delhi, following a prolonged siege. The city was plundered, and despite changing hands numerous times, it never recovered its former prestige. Today, the Warangal Fort serves as a testimony to the cultural and architectural achievements of the Kakatiya dynasty.

Warangal in black on a map of Telangana; Source: Andhra portal

The Kakatiyas maintained a unique blend of North and South Indian architecture. Among their most impressive works is the Warangal fort, which serves as the centerpiece of Kakatiya rule in Andhra. The fort was the center of all political activity in the royal capital and a testament to the historic siege of Warangal in 1310 AD.

When the Turkish invaders besieged the fort, they were intimidated by its structure and size. The Warangal Fort was built on a hillock and had two layers of walls, with traces of a third. There was an inner stone wall followed by a ditch, an outer mud wall, and then a moat, making it impregnable to invaders. When the Turkish soldiers threw boulders at the fort, the mud wall absorbed the impact and bounced them back. The walls of the fort were 50 meters high and had four gateways, known as Keerthi Toranas, located in the four cardinal directions.

Each Keerthi Torana was carved from a single rock and designed in the style of the Kakatiya Torana, or Gateway of Glory, which was the royal symbol of the Kakatiya dynasty and is now the emblem of the modern state of Telangana. These gateways led to the centre of the fort, which once had a Shiva temple called the Swayambhu Gudi. Today, only the ruins of the temple remain within the fort, with pillar brackets depicting motifs.

Prior to the Kakatiyas' reign in Warangal, the Chalukyas ruled the land. The Kakatiyas were subordinates of the Chalukya kings until they declared independence. Pulekeshin II, the Chalukyan king, constructed a temple dedicated to Bhadrakali, their Kuladevi, in Warangal to commemorate his victory over Vengi. According to rumours, the Koh-i-Noor diamond belonged to the Bhadrakali temple and adorned the goddess's left eye. During the plunder of Warangal, Allauddin Khilji captured the diamond. It passed from Khilji to the British, who gifted it to Queen Victoria.

Warangal, located in Telangana, about 150 km from Hyderabad, was once the seat of the powerful Kakatiya dynasty buried deep in the history of Andhra. Despite its rich history, Warangal has fallen into political obscurity due to the twists and turns of history. The city, also known as Orugallu or "one rock," is said to have been built from a single rock.

The Kakatiyas were Hindu rulers who reigned over the Andhra region for approximately 150 years between the 12th and 14th centuries. Ganapati Deva, the most renowned ruler of the Kakatiya dynasty, united the Telugu region under one rule and moved the capital from Hanmakonda to Warangal, where he turned the Chalukyan town into a fortified capital, symbolizing their grandeur and pride.

Ganapati Deva initiated the construction of the iconic Warangal fort, which was later completed by his daughter, Rudrama Devi. Upon Ganapati Deva's death, Rudrama Devi inherited the throne and was named Rudra Deva through the Putrika ceremony, in which a daughter can be appointed as a "male heir" in the absence of a son.

The Kakatiyas were great patrons of religious art and built several temples even outside Warangal, apart from Swayambhu Gudi. The Thousand Pillared Temple built in Hanmakonda, a nearby town, features intricate carvings on the ceiling and stone polish.

The Ramappa Temple, located in Palampet village, is a grand complex named after its architect, Ramappa, instead of its presiding deity. The temple's Madanika dancer sculptures carved out of lustrous black granite are one of its primary attractions. Visitors are captivated by the lean, slender, and elongated bodies of the sculptures as they offer prayers at this sacred temple.

The Khush Mahal in Warangal was constructed by Shitab Khan, the Bahmani governor, who took advantage of the turmoil within the Delhi Sultanate to declare independence and control Warangal. He was a generous patron of Telugu poetry and literature and wished to revive the Kakatiya glory of the Telugu region.

Despite facing opposition to her ascension, Rudrama successfully inherited her father’s legacy and proved herself a capable ruler. She defeated the Yadava king Mahadeva and successfully sent the invading Yadava army back to Devagiri. After her roaring victory, she assumed the title "Raya-Gaja-Kesari," which means "the lion who rules over the elephant kings" and constructed a commemorative pavilion in Warangal's Swayambhu temple. The pillar depicts her as a warrior mounted on a lion with her sword and shields in hand, evoking the image of the ferocious goddess Durga.

Rudrama, like her father, had no son and adopted her grandson, Pratap Rudra Deva, and made him the heir to the throne.

During the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty, Warangal reached the peak of its political and cultural prosperity. The city is mentioned in the travelogue of Marco Polo, an Italian traveller who visited Warangal during Rudrama's rule. However, the city's good fortune did not last, as the Turks who ruled Delhi coveted the wealth of the Kakatiyas during the reign of Rudra Pratap, seeing Warangal's prosperity as an opportunity to enrich themselves.

Allauddin Khilji sent several expeditions to subdue Warangal and make it bow before Delhi. However, the Kakatiyas stood tall and fought back against the Turks. In their final attempt, the invaders besieged the fort for a month, but after a long resistance, the king surrendered, and Warangal fell to Delhi. After the defeat, Pratap Rudra Deva was being taken to Delhi, where he died en route. The Turks plundered the city of its wealth and glory, and although Warangal changed hands throughout history, it never regained the prestige it had during the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty.

The Kakatiyas were known for their excellent architectural and religious art, and Warangal stands as a testament to their talents. The city bears the marks left by various kings who ruled its land in the form of buildings.