Knowing Telangana Through Kakatiyan Kala Toranam

The emblem of Telangana, the 29th state of India, proudly showcases the Kakatiya Kala Toranam, an exquisite but lesser-known gateway that gracefully arches over the renowned 400-year-old Charminar. The Kakatiyas, a formidable dynasty of the 12th and 13th centuries in the Andhra region, left an indelible mark on various domains including politics, agriculture, religion, literature, architecture, and arts. The Kakatiya Toranam symbolizes their might and can be found at the Warangal fort, among the remnants of the Swayambhusiva Temple initially constructed by Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva and later expanded by his daughter Rudrama Devi. These toranams, adorned with intricate embellishments, bear no specific religious motifs, emphasizing their broader significance.

Kakatiya Toranam; Source: Visitrealindia

Telangana, the 29th state of India, recently adopted a new emblem featuring a lesser-known gateway arching over the iconic 400-year-old Charminar, encircled by a circular band. This mysterious gateway is known as the Kakatiya Kala Toranam and represents the essence of Telangana's identity in a remarkable manner. The Kakatiya Toranam refers to the gateway located at the Warangal Fort, the seat of power for the influential Kakatiya rulers in the Andhra region.

The social background of the Kakatiyas remains somewhat unclear. It is believed that they derived their name from their family deity, Kakati Devi. Another theory suggests that they ruled over a town called Kakatipura, which housed the temples of Kakati Devi and Ekavira Devi, thus giving rise to their name, Kakatiyas. While their social origins may be shrouded in ambiguity, their brave exploits on the political stage of Andhra are well-documented.

The Kakatiyas began their political journey as vassals of the Chalukyas in Warangal and gradually asserted their independence. Eventually, they emerged as the most powerful dynasty in the region during the 12th and 13th centuries AD, bringing prosperity to Andhra. The greatest ruler of the Kakatiyas, Ganpati Deva, united the Telugu-speaking areas under his rule, solidifying the Telugu identity and ushering in a golden era for Andhra Desa.

The rule of the Kakatiyas is considered the pinnacle of well-being and prosperity in the Telugu region, marked by significant developments in politics, agriculture, religion, literature, architecture, and the arts. The Kakatiya Toranam stands as a symbol of their power and showcases their exquisite craftsmanship. There are four such toranams, positioned in the four cardinal directions within the historical Warangal Fort, located on the outskirts of the eastern part of Warangal. Each toranam is a double-pillared gateway standing on a 40 cm thick anvil, adorned with intricate carvings depicting delicate lotus buds, looped garlands, mythical creatures, and birds.

The toranams were originally part of the Swayambhusiva Temple built by Ganpati Deva, which was later destroyed by Chitaphkhan, a general of the Qutub Shahi kings, as part of a campaign against Hindu temples due to their association with idol worship. However, the remnants of this grand temple still remain within the fort in the form of free-standing portals, providing glimpses of its once-imposing dimensions. Rudrama Devi, daughter and successor of Ganpati Deva, took the gateways and incorporated them into the fort during her completion of the construction project initiated by her father.

The Kakatiya Toranams still proudly stand in the Warangal Fort as freestanding gateways. Despite being salvaged from temple ruins, they bear no symbols indicating their religious association, perhaps the reason for them remaining untouched by the Muslim invaders.

Today, one of these remarkable Thoranams graces the exhibition of the National Museum in the bustling capital city of India, Delhi, serving as a cherished relic that preserves and showcases the grandeur of the Kakatiya era for generations to come.

One of the gateways placed in the National Museum; Source: Flickr