The Kakatiyas of Warangal (An Old and Rare Book)

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The present monograph is based on the Ph. D. thesis of the Patna University, Patna, 1979, though in a revised format. It was my keen interest in the history of the peninsular India which drew me to take up research on the Käkatıya dynasty about which very little was known, despite the fact that the Kakatiyas were a major force in the contemporary south Indian, history. I hope this to be an humble addition to the already rich treasure of the history of south India in general and the Eastern Decca, especially modern state of Andhra Pradesh, in particular.

After the fall of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyanı, the Kakattyas of Warangal emerged as one of the dominating powers on the political scene of south India, alongwith the Yadavas of Devagiri, the Hoyasalas of Dwarasamudra and the Pandyas of Madura. In the beginning, they settled at Națāwādi seema as Räştrakūtas (village headmen) under the service of the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengt. Beta-I (A.D. 1000-53) was the first ruler, who by shifting his loyalty to the Western Chalukyas of Kalyanı, established the rule of his dynasty. After him, four successive rulers, viz. Prola (A.D. 1053 to 1078), Beta II (A.D. 1078-1107/8). Dugga-Raja (A.D. 1107/8-1117) and Prola II (A.D. 1117-1158) remained loyal to the Western Chalukyas of Kalyānı.

Rūdradeva (A.D. 1158-1195/96), the eldest son and successor of Prola II, created an epoch in the Käkatıya history by throwing off the shackles of the feudal chain of Western Chalukyas of Kalyānt and declared his suzerainty. He defeated his neighbouring states and thus successfully carved his own.

extensive empire. He was succeeded by his younger brother. Mahadeva (A.D. 1196-1198), who died in the battle-field fighting against the Yadavas of Devagiri.

The Kakatiya empire reached its zenith during the period of Ganapatideva (A.D. 1198-1261) whose reign witnessed an all-round development and prosperity as well as largest expan-sion of its boundaries, which extended in the south upto Kanchi.

in the north upto Aska Taluk in Ganjam district, in the east upto the Sea and in the west upto the Bellary district. Rudrāmba (A.D. 1261-1289), the daughter and the successor of Ganapti-deva, struggled to keep intact the integrity and stability of the empire. She died fighting against her recalcitrant Kayastha feudatory, Ambadeva. Her grandson, the last ruler of the dynasty, Prataprūdra (A.D. 1289-1323), had to face the onsalughts of five Muslim invasions. He endeavoured upto his last to protect the empire, but failed in his grand effort. He died as a captive while on way to Delhi. This ended the long and glorious rule of the Käkatryas dynasty. Thus, it was finally eliminated from the political map of the Deccan and even the name of their capital, Warangal, was changed to Sultanpur.

In preparation of this work, I remain grateful and indebted, first and foremost, to my respected teacher and learned supervisor Professor Yogendra Mishra (former Head of the Department of History, Patna University) who not only evinced great interest in the work but gave top priority to its completion. I am also greatly indebted to late Professor B.P. Mazumdar, Professors V.K. Thakur, A.K. Singh, R. Ram, (all from History Department, Patna University, Patna), Professors P.N. Jha, R. Mishra, S.P. Singh, Ushakar Jha, R.B. Singh and T.K. Jha (all from L.N.M.U., Darbhanga) for showing their interest and giving their valuable suggestions which were of tremendous help.

I am thankful to late Smt. Shushila Mishra, Sri Ram Naresh Sharma and Dr. (Smt.) Jay Shree Mishra (Reader in History, M.M. College, Patna University) whose love and affection always encouraged me.

I spent a few memorable days of my life in Andhra Pradesh in course of collecting materials for the present work, during which I received all possible help and sholarly suggestion from late M.V.N. Aditya Sharma, (Director, A.P, State, Archaeology), Drs. C. Somasundra Rao, Y. Shri Ram Murty, Masthainah (all from Andhra Univessity, Waltair) and Shri B. Subrahamaniyam (Technical Assistant, A.P. State Archaeology), I owe gratitude to all of them.

My thanks are also due to Shri A. Prabhakar Rao (National Library, Calcutta), Dr. R. Ramam (Amla Puram), Professor G.N. Chaudhary, Dr. S.S. Jha, Shri Raja Nand Jha, Dr. Indra Narayan Jha, Shri Narendra Jha, Shri D. Kumar, Shri K. Jha and Dr. N. Mishra who ungrudgingly extended their help to me.

I must express my gratitude to my father, Sri Jagdish Jha, uncle Sri Ratish Jha, my mother, Smt. Buchi Devi, and my wife, Smt. Amola Jha, whose affectionate care stimulated me to complete the work at the earliest.

I am thankful to the authorities of the Patna University, Patna, for appointing me as Research Officer in the Department of History and providing an ideal opportunity to complete the research. I also acknowledge indebtedness to the efforts of all the scholars whose works been utilized in the course of this research.

Finally I feel it imperative to express my utmost thanks to Shri Nand Kishore Singh, Proprietor, Janaki Prakashan, Patna, who personally took interest in the publication of the work. I am fully aware of the limitations of the work and the innumerable printing errors, for which I beg pardon from learned scholars and readers.