Last reviewed 4 Nov 2026 · 2 min read
1. Rise
- The Kakatiyas began as feudatories of the Rashtrakutas and then the Kalyani Chalukyas, with their early base at Hanamkonda.
- Rudradeva (Prataparudra I) asserted independence in the 12th century; his Hanamkonda inscription (1163 CE) and the Thousand Pillar (Rudreswara) Temple at Hanamkonda belong to his reign.
2. Important rulers
| Ruler | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Beta I, Prola I, Beta II, Prola II | Feudatory phase |
| Rudradeva (Prataparudra I) | Independence; Thousand Pillar Temple; began the Warangal (Orugallu) fort |
| Ganapatideva (c. 1199–1262) | Longest and greatest reign; moved the capital to Orugallu (Warangal); brought most Telugu lands under one rule; encouraged trade through Motupalli port; his general Recherla Rudra built the Ramappa Temple (1213) |
| Rudramadevi (c. 1262–1289) | Daughter of Ganapatideva; one of the few women rulers of medieval India; ruled under the name Rudradeva Maharaja; Marco Polo visited Motupalli and praised her rule |
| Prataparudra II (c. 1289–1323) | Last ruler; faced Delhi Sultanate invasions — Malik Kafur (1309–10) took tribute; Ulugh Khan (later Muhammad bin Tughlaq) captured Warangal in 1323 |