When we move forward in time, we meet the past.
After ignoring for a while, turned a few pages of history and walked through the timeline.
This is going to be a series of posts to frame a complete story. You won’t find this intriguing yet hang on till you find something to stick yourself to history. You will be flooded with a lot of names and years which fade from your memory till the end of this post.
The Kakatiyas only rulers after Salivahanas to unite the entire Telugu speaking people in southern parts of India. Their contribution was unprecedented. They left an indelible mark on the cultural history.
At the beginning of the 10th century, the kings Prola Raju and Beta Raju conquered the kakatiya dynasty and made Hanumakonda as their capital. The goddess Kakathi was worshiped by the Kakatiyas and there comes the name Kakatiya dynasty. Nripati Beta-1 alias Garuda Beta coerced during the period 996 A.D-1051 A.D. [ Don’t be afraid of years xD] Soon after his demise, Prola-1 took the charge as the king in the course of 1052 A.D-1076 A.D. Then came Beta-II alias Tribhuvanamala ruled over 32 years from 1076 A.D to 1108 A.D. Prola-II, who was the son of Beta-II enslaved during the period of 1116 A.D -1157 A.D. Prola-II and his wife Muppama were blessed with five children namely Rudra, Mahadeva, Hari Hara, Ganapathi, and Repolla Durga. King Rudra ruled the kakatiya dynasty after his father Prola-II had perished. Rudra became a sovereign in the year 1163 A.D. He conquered between 1158 A.D-1195 A.D. Mahadeva, son of Rudra, took charge as the king in the year 1196 A.D. Their preferred godhead was the kakathi and the Bhadrakali Devi as their totem kula devatha).
As my grandpa revealed a few stories. Now I’m going to tell you a short story on how Kakatiya’s made Orugallu (now Warangal) as their capital.
Over the rule of Mahadeva, on one day, when the soldiers went to collect the wheat bags as a routine from Warangal fort on the bullock cart. Suddenly, the wheel of bullock cart broke down and the pivot landed on the ground. This pivot will be turned to gold. The soldiers informed this unusual event to their king, Mahadeva. That’s the eleventh century, every small thing gains people’s thoughts in no time, so this event too. Everyone wondered whether it was good or not. After many great thoughts from scholars, intellectuals, their gurus, and known scriptures. They came to know that if they build Orugallu (now Warangal) as the capital of the kakatiya dynasty, their kingdom would be filled with prosperity. Also, the kakatiya dynasty would flourish. So, that’s how Warangal was built as the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty from hanumakonda already being their capital.
This worked for a few years and Mahadeva passed away in the year 1199 A.D. Mahadeva has three children Ganapathi Deva, Mailamba, and kundamba.
Ganapathi deva became king in his salad days. From there evolution of a kingdom, business, collective welfare, roads, wells, tree everything was developed. Orugallu even fascinated many foreign countries. A person from China, Yuyang Chang explored Orugallu and appreciated our culture, customs, architecture, and whatnot. Orugallu was famous for selling gold, silver, diamonds, gemstones, Lehsunia like fruits in the market.
Ganapathi deva built four ornamented stone sculptured gates which are part of the Swayambhusiva temple of lord shiva in the fort. These four gates are designated as Kakatiya Kala Thoranum. And this was adopted as the symbol of the Kakatiya dynasty.
In the mid11th century, Recharla Rudrayya who was the chief army general of Ganapathi deva constructed Ramappa temple. Ramappa was the sculpture of Ramappa temple.
When kings were on trips, Ramappa used to be their guest chamber. As there diety was lord shiva, Ramappa temple, shiva temple, Pandavula gutta, Ghanapuram temples, and eco-tourism places like Laknavaram lake have been constructed so that they can be used for the future generations.
The fame of all these places lighted in the form of Chakravarthy to Ganapathi Deva. The king's main fort now enclosed with seven forts. Rathi Kota (fort of rocks), Kampa Kota, Kanchu Kota (fort of bronze), Mundla Kota (fort of thorns), Putta Kota, Matti Kota (fort of sand). Rathi Kota was surrounded by Agartha. To protect the kingdom from enemies all these forts have been built.
Rudrama Devi was Ganapathi Deva’s only daughter. He believed that if his people and the ministers of his court knew that he had a girl, then greed for the throne would grow rapidly in their minds. Enemies and the ministers of his court would make their move conquer. So Ganapathi Deva hid the truth of Rudrama Devi's birth.
Rudrama Devi grew up like a man named Rudra Deva. She learned everything that a king has to learn including martial arts and pre justice policies. when Ganapathi Deva entered his golden age, he brought Rudra Deva to the kingdom. Ganapathi Deva handed over his kingdom to Rudra deva and reveals the truth of birth. People disagreed with the decision of Ganapathi deva, enemies took this moment as a chance, laid out her from the fort, and declared war.
Everything happened what Ganapathi deva anticipated and afraid of.
The only woman in the men court.
The only woman in the kingdom who could fight.
She fought her solitude and those erupted wars successfully. After everything, she took the coronation and ruled around 50 years.
Rudrama Devi was a true warrior and is an inspiration for many men and women to date.
I think everyone is curious to know the history now. Right!
Do you want to visit the places which I’m speaking about? If so, wait for my next blog.
Author
Nikhila Puli
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