Recherla Nayaks

1326 AD - 1475 AD : Recherla Nayaks

Founder : Bethala Naidu or Dachanaya also known as Eradachanaya

Capitals: Anumagallu, Rachakonda and Devarakonda

The sasanas describe the founder of the kingdom as Dachanaya also known as Eradachanaya. Velugotivari Vamsavali however, describes the earlier three generations and terms Bethala Naidu also known as Chevi Reddy as the founder of this dynasty.

c. 1230 - 1262 AD : Recherla Bethala Nayak
After their dominance in Telangana areas, the Imperial Kakatiyas had been facing a triple threat from western, southern and eastern geographies. Ganapathi Deva (1199 AD - 1261 AD) was no exception. In 1230 CE, Sundara Pandya of the Pandyan Kingdom occupied the area of Telugu Chodas of Nellore. In 1233 CE, the Aniyanka Bhima of Eastern Ganga kingdom occupied the north coastal areas. Around the same times, the Kayastha chief, Gangaya Sahini, supposed to be subordinate to Ganapathi Deva started ruling independently from Pakanadu to Cuddapah. “To meet the triple challenge, Ganapathi Deva invited the help of the prominent and rising Recherla Betala Nayak. Amangallu was assigned to the new lieutenant which yielded not less than one lakh revenue.”13 Betala Nayak joined Kakatiya administration as a loyal subordinate. 

Recherla Bethala Nayak sons are Dama, Prasaditya and Rudranayakas. All these were in the service of the Kakatiyas under Ganapati Deva 

1262 AD - 1289 AD : Prasaditya Nayaka

After Ganapatideva’s death some Kakatiya senanis and samantas tried to prevent Rudrama Devi from coming to the throne.  Prasaditya nayaka, who helped Rudramadevi to became the ruler of Kakaityas, was given the titles of Kakatiya Sthapanacharya and Rayapita Mahanka. (when Rudramadevi ascended the throne, her relatives on one side and Yadava kings on the other, who could not agree to the notion of a woman becoming the ruler, attacked Orugallu. Prasaditya nayaka defeated them and consolidated her rule.

1279 AD : Sources of inscriptions refer to Nayamkara or the office of Nayaka started as early as 1279 AD. So Prasaditya seems to be the first Recherla to have received the title as well as rights and duties of a Nayaka under the Nayamkara system, during the reign of Rudramadevi.

1289 AD - 1323 AD : Vennama Nayaka son of Prasaditya nayaka was famous as the chief of army of Prataparudra. Later, his son Eradacha nayaka and Naladacha nayaka, son of sabbinayaka (another son of Prasaditya nayaka) also had worked as chiefs of Prataparudra’s armies.

Vennama Nayaka fought against the Delhi Sultanate. The incident happened during the first invasion by the Delhi Sultanate to Telangana in 1303 AD, when Allauddin Khalji sent an army under Malik Fakruddin Ulugh and Malik Jajju of Karra, in this battle kakatiyas lost a large army in this battle.

Vennam Nayaka son Erra Dacha and Sabbi Nayaka son Nalla Dacha both were also loyal to the Kakatiyas.

1289 AD - 1323 AD : Era Dacha or Dachanya Nayaka

Vennamanayakas son is Dachanayaka or Eradachanayaka with whom the Rachakonda kingdom begins.

Dachanayaka had three sons Singama, Vennama and Yechama Nayakas. 

During the Kakatiyas battles with Pandya and Hoyasala dynasties, Eradacha nayaka played a key role. Prataparudra, who was impressed by his valor, gave him two titles of ‘Pancha Pandyadala Vibhala’ and ‘Pandya Gajakesari’, Eradacha nayaka had’three sons- namely Singama nayaka-I, Vennama nayaka and Echama nayaka. (Naladacha nayaka had 2 sons- named- Madhava nayaka and Damaneedu. Of them, Singama nayaka had became famous.

Dachanayaka and his son Singamanayaka were senanis of Prataparudra. When Prataparudra attacked the Pandyas at Kanchi in 1316 AD, Dachanayaka and Singamanayaka have shown great valor and helped the king in winning the battle. Prataparudra gave the title of “Panchpandyadala Vibhala” to Dachanayaka. He probably died in the battle of Orugallu with the Muslims in 1323 AD. 

The Recharla chiefs came to political prominence only in the reign of the Kakatiyas, and they ruled an independent kingdom only after the fall of the Kakatiyas. They ruled from Rachakonda in Nalgonda district. It is one of the historically famous forts from Telengana.

As a mark of appreciation, Prataparudra conferred on Erra Dacha the title “Pandyadalavibhala” and “Pandyaraya Gajakesari”.

Declared independence after the fall of kakatiya kingdom

1323 AD / 1325 AD - 1361 AD : Singama Nayaka I

Capital : Anumagallu

Son of Dachanayaka

1325 AD : After Warangal was captured by Muslim rulers, Musunuri Nayakas revolted against them at around 1325 A.D. During that time, Kapaya nayaka Musunuri dynasty was helped by Singama nayaka. Later Singama nayaka had became independent and extended his kingdom towards the south upto the coast of river Krishna.

He also wanted to extend his kingdom in the North and hence attacked Kapayanaka. As per the Vamsavali he defeated Kapayanaka. This, however did not appear to have yielded him much benefit because as per the Pillalamarri sasanam of Kapayanaka in 1357 AD, Kapayas kingdom stretched right upto Pillalmarri. 

During the battle of Musunuri Nayakas and Chalukya princes, Chalukyas imprisoned Singama Nayaka’s brother in law Chintapalli Singama Nayaka.

Singam Nayaka I carried out a vigorous attack on the fort of Jallipalli to free Chintapalli Singama Nayaka. Chalukyas were unable to hold the fort from attacks, they betrayed Singama Nayaka I and assassinated by by the ruling Somavamsa kshatriyas (Tambalajiyya) by treachery.

Singamanayaka had two sons Anapotanayaka and Madanayaka. When they heard about the death of their father, Anavotha nayaka along with Madana nayaka attacked the Jallipalli fort in 1361 AD, killed Soma dynasty rulers and took the title of ‘Somakula parasurama’. 

At that time their capital appears to have been Anumagallu. Anapotanayaka shifted the capital from Anumagallu to Rachakonda and built a strong fort there.

Descendants of Anavotha nayaka ruled from Rachakonda and descendants of Mada nayaka ruled from Devarakonda.

Rachakonda Kingdom
1361 AD - 1383 AD : Anavotha nayaka

Capital : Rachakonda

While occupying the Srisailam area they had a conflict with the Kondaveeti Reddy chiefs. At that time Srisailam was under the Reddimannis. As per the Vamsavali Madanayaka and his uncles son Naganayaka defeated Anapota Reddy near Dharanikota. Although victorious Dharanikota did not fall into Anapotanayakas hands. This is the first conflict between the Velama chiefs and the Reddy chiefs. From this time onwards uptill the end of the Kondaveedu Reddy kingdom, this rivalry did not abate. 

After avenging their father, Anapota I and Mada I attacked Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka for the control of Warangal fort, they defeated and killed him at Bhimavaram battle in 1368 AD.

Ainavolu sasanam of Anapotanayaka describes him in possession of Tribhuvanagiri(Bhongir), Orugallu and Singavaram forts and took the title of “Tribhuvana Rayarao’. With this victory his kingdom stretched upto Godavari in the North, Srisailam in the South, Bahamani kingdom in the West, and Kondaveedu in the East. 

Looking to the excellent relations these kings had with the Bahamani Empire, it is possible that the Bahamanis have helped them in their war against Kapayanayaka. 

Anupota Nayak-I and Madanayak ruling from Rachakonda and Devarakonda had become tributaries to Bahmanis.

He divided his kingdom into Northern and Southern regions for ease of administration; made Rachakonda the capital of North and ruled it himself; made Devarakonda as the capital of South and appointed his younger brother Mada nayaka as its ruler.

Anapotanayaka attacked the Kalinga kingdom in 1380 AD. This is known by his Simhachalam sasanam. 

The Ainavolu inscriptions refers to the donation of a village by Anavotha I to God Milara Deva.

1383 AD - 1399 AD : Singama nayaka-II / Singabhupala-II
After Anapotanayaka his son Singamanedu II ascended the throne of Rachakonda.  Singam Nayaka II was also known as “Sarvajna Singa Bhupala” and he was a great writer and poet.

Before coming to the throne he captured the fort of Kalyani in Gulbarga district. It appears that he went to Karnataka to help the Bahamani kings and took this fort during the campaign.

1384 AD : In the early days of Sighabhupala’s reign, the Vijayanagara kings took Srisailam and marched against Kothakonda in Rachakonda. The Vijayanagara sasanam in Tumkur district dated 1384 AD states that the king of Vijayanagara Harihara Devaraya II, sent his son Vira Bukkaraya against Orugallu. The Bahamani sultan then laid siege to Kottakonda in Mahabubnagar district (possibly taken earlier by the Vijayanagara forces) and one of the Vijayanagara commanders Saluva Ramadevaraya died in the battle. As per the sasana the sultan has done this to protect his samantas who owed allegiance to him. It appears from the sasana that the Vijayanagara forces were defeated. 

The defeat at Kotta Konda appears to have been decisive, for, Harihara II did not renew for several years subsequently to the failure of the expedition.

The reason for this aggression by Vijayanagara is unknown but Ziauddin Barani mentions that Kapayanaka and Harihararaya (the founder of the Vijayanagara kingdom) are related. Although this may not be certain they may have been closely associated with each other and Kapayanayakas defeat, coupled with the leanings the Rachakonda kings had shown towards the Bahamani kings precipitated the attack.

In 1387 AD, Kumara Singha Bhupala has attacked the Gowtami banks area via Southern Kalinga which was in his possession. As per his Simhachala sasanam he scored a number of victories in the area which was lying in the Kondaveedu kingdom at that time. With this campaign the authority of the Reddys was extinguished in the southern Kalinga.

1397 AD : The Vijayanagara king Hariharadevaraya did not forget his defeat at the hands of the Rachakonda kingdom and the Bahamanis. In 1397 he declared a war against the Bahamani kingdom and as per his Vijayanagara sasana, one of the Vijayanagara senanis, Gunda Dandadhinadha inflicted a defeat on Siaf Khan and Fateh Khan.

To reduce the pressure on the Bahamani forces Singhabhupala sent Ramachandranayaka, the son of Vedagirinayaka to attack the area of the Vijayanagara kingdom on the banks of river Krishna. Ramachandranayaka crossed the Krishna river, entered Kurnool and started plundering it whereupon he was attacked by the Vijayanagara armies near Bandikanuma. Ramachndranayaka emerged victorious in this battle.

Now Harihara II sent his son Bukkaraya to attack Ramachndranayaka. Bukka then defeated Ramachandranayaka and drove him out of the Vijayanagara kingdom. He then entered the Rachakonda kingdom and plundered it. It appears that the victories enumerated in the Vamsavali attributed to Anapotanayaka son of Singhabhupala and Ramachandranayaka and Madanayaka the sons of Pedavedagirinayaka seem to have taken place during this campaign. Although both sides claimed victory in this campaign, it appears that Vijayanagara kingdom had been victorious in this battle.

Bukkaraya took his armies crossed the Krishna and attacked the Panugallu fort in Devarakonda kingdom. The Bahamani armies immediately came to the rescue of Panugallu. In this campaign, Pedavadagirinayaka’s son Kumaramadanayaka has defeated Era Krishnaraya and Pandadadhisa as per the Vamsavali. In this Era Krishnaraya besieged Devarakonda. Although he was defeated, Bukkaraya scored a victory and secured the Panugallu fort in 1397 AD. In this campaign the son of Bukkaraya Anantabhupala had shown great valor. A few days after the Panuganti war Kumara Singhabhupala died. 

1399 AD -1421 AD : Anavotha nayaka-II 

After Singhabhupala II his son Immadi Anapotanayaka came to the throne in 1399 AD. He is also known as Kumara Anapotanayaka and Pinnamanayaka. He is a contemporary of the Bahamani sultan Firoz Shah. The burden of saving his kingdom from Bukkaraya fell on him. As per Velugotivari Vamsavali he saved 10,000 people from Metuku (Medak) Fort. It is possible that Bukkaraya went up to Medak fort victorious and laid seize to it and Anapotanayaka relieved and saved the garrison during this campaign.

It appears that on the side of Bahamani sultan Anapotanayaka scored a number of victories against the Kondaveedu and Rajahmundry reddy kings and also Vijayanagara kings. It is probable that the Raya supposed to have been stopped by him is Devaraya I.

Contemporary to Anapotanayaka Devarakonda was ruled by Kumara Madanayaka and Ramachandranayaka, the sons of Pedavedagirinayaka. Annadevachoda took refuge in Devarakonda during Pedavedagirinayaka’s reign. Kumara Madanayaka gave him an army and sent him via Kalinga to regain his kingdom. However, this army was defeated by Chalukya Vishveshwara Bhupati a tributory king of the Gangas in 1402 AD. After this Kumara Madanayaka proceeded with an army to help Annadevachoda. It is possible that the victory attributed to him over the Rajahmundry Reddy kings took place during this campaign.

Anapotanayaka mounted a successful campaign in 1417 AD against Panugallu. During the campaign the Bahamani sultan Tajuddin Ferozshah laid siege to Panugallu. At that time Panugallu was under the Vijayanagara kings. The Velamanayakas also went along with their armies to help Ferozshah, but during the campaign their relations soured. Seeing the opportunity Devaraya I negotiated with the Velamanayakas and turned them into his favor. During a fierce battle at Panagallu fort the Velamanayakas like Anapotanayaka came over to the side of Devaraya along with their armies. Due to this Ferozshah ‘s assumed victory turned into defeat and he could barely escape and reach his capital Gulbarga. Anapotanayaka died during this battle in 1421 AD.

1421 AD - 1425 AD : Madanayaka
After Anapotanayaka, his brother Madanayaka came to the throne in 1421 AD.,probably because Anapotanayaka’s eldest son Singamanayaka was too young to assume charge.
After the battle of Panagallu, the recherla's maintained enmity with the Bahmani Sultans and helped the Vijayanagara rulers in every way they could. During the battle between Ahmed Shah (Bahmani sultan) and Devaraya-II in 1424, Madanayaka helped the latter. 

1425 AD : Because of this, though Ahmed Shah made peace with Devaraya after the battle was over, he sent his deputy, Azam Khan to capture Warangal (kingdom of Mada nayaka). In this battle, Azam Khan captured not only Warangal, but also many forts in Rachakonda and Devarakonda kingdoms.

1425 AD - 1436 AD : Singama Nayaka III or Sarvaga Rao

After Madanayaka his brother Anapotanayaka’s son Mummadi Singamanayaka came to the throne. 

When Ahmad Shah was immersed in a war with the Sultan of Gujarat, the Rachakonda kings recovered all their lost forts.

Rachakonda and Devarakonda kingdoms fell into decline by 1455 AD.

1430 AD : The Bahmani ruler Ahmad Shah shifted the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1430. They occupied the forts of Medak, Warangal and Bhuvangiri during 1433-1436 CE.

Ahmad Shah II or ALA-UD-DIN AHMAD II (Apr 17, 1436 - May 6, 1458)

1436 AD - 1460 AD : Prince Dawood son of Ahmad I

Prince Dawood son of Bahmani Sultan Ahmad - 1 was given charge of Rachakonda.

Only Devarakonda remained in the Recherla Nayaks hands.   

1460 AD - 1464 AD : Dharma Nayaka son of Singama Nayaka III
1462 A.D: Shayampet inscription - Dharmanayudu / Dharmanayaka, brother of Singama nayaka-III was appointed as the ruler of Warangal. However, now Recherla Nayaks became the tributaries of the Gajapatis of Orissa.

1461 A.D : The Bahamani Sultan then assigned the work to Mohammed Gawan, his minister. This was beyond Mohammed Gawan and the Muslim forces suffered one defeat after another in the hands of Hamviradeva son of Gajapathi Kapileswara and the Padmanayakas. One fort after another fell to them. They took Rachakonda, Bhuvanagiri and finally Orugallu around 1461 AD. 

1462 A.D: Shayampet inscription - Dharmanayudu / Dharmanayaka, brother of Singama nayaka-III was appointed as the ruler of Warangal. However, now Recherla Nayaks lost their independence and became the tributaries of the Gajapatis of Orissa.

Devarakonda Kingdom

1361 - 1384 AD : Mada Nayaka I 

The Kandikonda inscription reveals that Mada Naidu brother of Anavotha I had son named Venna. This prince ruled by his fathers orders at Skandadri (probably Khammam). This Venna is not mentioned in Veligotivari Vamsavali.

The Velugotivari Vamsavali mentions Madha Nayaka and Anapota Nayaka defeated Anavema Reddy of Kondavidu at Dharanikota.

The Rasarnava Sudhakaram mentioned, Mada I had constructed a flight of steps to the sacred mountain of Sriparvatam

According to the inscription of Mada I at Umamaheswaram, Mada I’s rule extended over the land lying between Srisailam and the Vindhya mountains.

1378 AD : Kandikonda, Mahabubabad Taluk, Warangal District.
This inscription is on the top of a hillrock. Records the construction of a temple to God Skandadrinatha (Siva) and his consort Uma on the top of the hill Skandadri by Veena, son of Mada (Madhava). The inscription gives a brief description of the donors. It is mentioned that in the Rechadiyanvaya, born from the river Ganga flowing from the feet of Vishnu, was born Erra, and after him, Singa. He had two sons-Ananta (Anapota) and Madhava. To king Madhava Nayadu was born a son, whom Tata the preceptor (Desika) named Venna in view of the fact that he was soft as butter to his followers.

When the Recherla Nayaks were engaged in coastal Andhra with the Reddy’s of Rajamahendravaram. Bukka II of Vijayanagara attacked the fort of Panugal in Mahbubnagar district and occupied Warangal fort, a strategic fort of the Recherla Nayaks, in 1397 AD

1384 AD - 1419 AD : Vedagiri I 

8th March, 1399 AD: Murupunuthula.
Language : Telugu.
This inscription is on a stone pillar lying near the Muthyalamma temple. The inscription is very damaged. After invoking the god Varaha, it introduces the chiefs of the Recherla family, Era Dacha, Singa and his son Madhava and the latter's son Vedagiri. This last named chief is said to be ruling the country lying between Srisaila and Vindhya mountains. He is stated to have made the grant of the agrahara named Morupnuntula to the god Mallari. Certain Manchena bhattu, otherwise known by his title [Nissamkula] Bharati son of Narayana Somayajulu of Brahmanapalli wrote this inscription. The chief Vedagiri is obviously Peda Vedagiri or Vidagiri I of the Devarakonda branch of the family.

Singama Nayaka II and his cousin Vedagiri I decided to conquer the northern districts of the Reddy kingdom by taking advantage of the disturbance for the throne between Peda Komativema Reddy and Kumaragiri Reddy.

Singama Nayaka II and Vedagiri I also came into conflict with the Gajapatis of Orissa, these details are mentioned in inscriptions at Srikurmam in Srikakulam district and at Simhachalam.

Vedagiri I , the ruler of Devarakonda gave asylum to the Eruva chief Annadeva Choda who arrived at his capital in search of help .

In the battle of 1419 AD, Macha Reddy, brother of Pedakomati Vema Reddy was killed. Immediately after this,  Pedakomati Vema Reddy attacked Devarakonda and killed Vedagiri.

1419 AD - 1425 AD : Rao Madanedu and Mada Nayaka II

In 1420 AD, the Recherla Nayaks killed Pedakomati Vema Reddy and hanged him at the entrance of the Devarakonda fort.

1425 AD - 1427 AD : Vedagiri II

1427 – 1475 AD : Lingama Nayaka

In Devarakonda, the contemporary of Mummadi Singhabhupala was the son of Kumara Madanayaka, known as Lingamanayaka. Lingamanedu was very valiant in battle and at the age of 12 years itself, he led the forces and fought a battle. The Vamsavali attributes a lot of victories to him, but many of them could not be confirmed. However, it is certain that Lingamanedu’s attack on the Rajamahendravaram Reddy kingdom weakened and destroyed it. The Padmanayakas of Rachakonda and Devarakonda supported the Bahamani Sultan’s for sometime, the Vijayanagara kings for sometime and the Gajapati’s of Orissa for sometime and fought with their respective enemies.

During the times of 1433 – 1438 AD, Bahamanis of Bidar occupied the forts of Medak, Warangal, and Bhuvanagiri

After 1433 AD., the Rachakonda and Devarakonda kingdoms disappeared and only some forts remained in the Padmanayaka’s control. They then sought the help of the Gajapati’s of Orissa for regaining their kingdom. Kapileswara Gajapati of Orissa attacked the Telengana areas of the Bahamani kingdom, but was defeated by the Bahamani Sultan, Allauddin. In 1435 AD, the Rachakonda area was given by the Sultan to his brother Mohammed Khan. The Padmanayakas then supported Sikander Khan in his rebellion against the Bahamani Sultan Humayun Shah.

Humayun Shah marched against Sikander Khan and killed him in battle. To punish the Padmanayakas who supported Sikander khan, he sent Kwaza Jahan and Nizam Ul Mulk. They raised an army of 20,000 cavalry, 40 elephants and innumerable foot soldiers and laid seize to Devarakonda fort, which was under the Padmanayakas.

The Padmanayakas then sent a message to Kapileswara Gajapati of Orissa appealing for his help and also promising him a large amount of money. The Gajapati then sent his son Hamviradeva (known to Muslims as Ambar Roy) along with a huge force to help the Padmanayakas and also to release Telengana from the control of the Bahamani Sultan. When Hamviradeva’s forces attacked the Bahamani forces from the rear, Singamanayaka and Lingamanayaka came out from the fort and attacked the Bahamani forces from the front. The Bahamani forces were caught in between and suffered a humiliating defeat. Kwaja Jahan and Nizam Ul Mulk somehow escaped from the battlefield. When Humayun Shah came to know of the defeat, he becme enraged and killed Nizam Ul Mulk and imprisoned Kwaja Jahan. 

After the death of the Bahamani Sultan Humayun Shah, Nizam Shah became the Bahamani Sultan. He again tried to recover the Telengana areas from the Padmanayakas, but again Kapileswara Gajapti sent his armies which inflicted a defeat on the Bahamani forces and came near the capital Bidar. Then one Amirzada Muhibullah scored a tactical victory over the Gajapati forces, as a result of which Bidar could be saved. This is however, not a complete victory and the Orugallu kingdom remained under the Padmanayakas.

As long as Kapileswara Gajapati was alive, the Bahamanis could not conquer the Orugallu kingdom and it remained with the Padmanayakas. He died around 1470 AD. 

Bahamani Sultan Muhammad Shah II defeated Lingama Nayaka and occupied Rachakonda and Devarakonda. The Bahamani Sultan, then sent Malik Nizam Ul Mulk Bahri to conquer Telengana. This man not only took the forts in Telengana, but also Kondaveedu and Rajamahendravaram forts and occupied all of Telengana. The Orugallu kingdom was given by the Sultan to Azim Khan. This happened around 1475 AD. The Recherla kingdom is thus over and the Padmanayakas joined the court of Hampi Viajayanagar. 

https://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/images/land/TEL%20-Vol%202%20-%20pg%201-404%20-%20%2005.01.2023%20-%20for%20MCRHRDI%20website.pdf

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Ekaveera Devi temple

The Ekaveera Devi temple located in Mogilichral, Geesugonda Mandal, Warangal was greatly patronised by the Kakatiya kings, is now in state of neglect. Perhaps the only one of its kind in the region, the rulers used to offer prayers at the temple everyday, particularly the great queen Rani Rudrama, according to local lore.

Located 12 kilometres from the Warangal district headquarters, the Ekaveera Devi temple is situated on the banks of a tank in Mogilicherla village. It was built during 1156-1196 AD and Kakatiya kings used to offer prayers daily till the empire collapsed. It was also said that Rani Rudrama was ambushed here at this temple by her opponents.

The Kakatiyas had greatly patronised temples. They also built tanks adjacent to temples where habitations too came up sustaining on the tank. Similarly, in Mogilicherla village too, the Kakatiya kings built a sprawling tank. Adjoining to the tank grew the thick bushes of Garden Marigold or Telugu Mogili Chettu. The village derived its name from it and came to be known as ‘Mogilicherla’.

The lone idol of the presiding deity Ekaveera Devi is missing and all other idols lie scattered and mutilated. With rumours of a hidden treasure abuzz, treasure hunters have plundered the temple time and again since ages.

In the absence of proper monitoring, some unidentified miscreants bombed the whole area about a decade ago shattering the wilderness and the aura around the monuments.

There was an open well constructed beautifully with rocks about a furlong from the temple which was supposedly used by visiting dignitaries of the Kakatiya kingdom in those days. Now, it lay in a dilapidated state and a haven for vagabonds and anti-social elements.

Resource Category: Cultural significance 

Location: Mogilicherla Village
Date of construction: 13th century 

Property use: abandoned 

Accessibility: the village is accessible by road, the temple is not accessible, there is no proper way leading into the fields where the temple is located.

Ownership: ASI

Drinking water and toilet: Not available

Security: No security.
Parking: No vehicular road to the temple.

Maintenance: No maintenance.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/ancient-ekaveera-devi-temple-in-ruins/article3709839.ece

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Padmakshi Temple

Padmakshi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Padmakshi who is fondly referred as ‘Amma’ or ‘mother.’ She is the consort of Lord Shiva. The present shrine is believed to have been built during the 12th century by the Kakatiya rulers.

The deity is also referred as Padmakshamma and the shrine is located atop a Gutta or a hill. The pond at the foot of the Padmakshi hillock is sacred.

Pillar in the temple is a unique piece of architecture. The quadrangular column is made in black granite stone and is located at the entrance of the shrine. The four faces of pillar are imposing. 

The padmakshi temple is one of the oldest temples of the city, The Kakatiya King Betaraju II was the first king in his dynasty to have converted to Veerasaivism. However, prior to that all Kakatiyan kings were followers of Jainism. It was under the rule of Prolaraju II that the Kakatiyans built a Jain temple or Badasi. This was later converted to the Padmakshi temple once the rulers converted to Veerasaivism. The temple therefore bears several sculptures ans carvings scattered throughout its walls that display Jain Tirthan- karas and other motifs that bear a strong stamp of the Jain culture.

From religious and tourism point of view this area is one of the most important parts of the city. Because of the presence of Bhadrakali tem- pleandthepadmakashitempleinthisarea,all the tourists that visit Warangal certainly come to this area. Hence, there is a large number of footfall in this area all through the year.

Culturally also this area is the most import- ant part of the city. 

The most important festival in the shrine is the Batukamma festival observed during Navratri (September – October). More than 100,000 women participate in the festival.

http://www.padmakshi.org/about

http://www.hindu-blog.com/2015/08/padmakshi-temple-at-hamankonda-near.html

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Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary

Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1952 is located near Pakhalashoknagar Village, Khanapur Mandal, Warangal District, Telangana State, India. It is located by the boundary of Pakhal Lake / Cheruvu, so it was named on the name of lake. It was built to serve as source of water for irrigational purpose. About 10 km from Narsampet town and 57 km from Warangal city, Pakhal lake is one of the few unpolluted lakes in India. This Lake was constructed by Jagadala Mummandi , a son of Bayyana Nayaka , Minister of the Kakatiya King Ganapati Deva in 1213 AD.

The sanctuary covers an area of 879.30 sq. km and is bestowed with rare flora and fauna. Some of the wild animals that can be spotted here at the Pakhal Wildlife sanctuary are Leopard, wild boar, panthers, hyenas, sloth bear, chital, mountain gazelle, blackbuck, four-horned antelope or chousingha and many others. Reptiles such as python, cobra, crocodiles, monitor lizard, etc., can also been seen in the sanctuary. One can also see a wide variety of migratory birds during the month of November to March. The afforestation drive is also attracting rare owl species like the Dusky Eagle-Owl, which is now a crowd puller at the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary.Thick-billed green pigeon, which is a very rare record in Telangana, and yellow-footed pigeon, too, have been spotted at Pakhal.  Last time, a tiger was sighted in Rampur forest of Pakhal Wildlife sanctuary in 2009.

The wildlife sanctuary is consisted of various kinds of herbs, shrubs and climbers. It consists mainly of deciduous vegetation such as Emblica officinalis, Cordifolia, Bombax ceiba, Cleistanthus collinus, Flacourtia indica, Bridelia retusa, Dalbergia latifolia, Cochlospermum religiosum, Garuga pinnata. A few of the evergreen species are also seen such as Mallotus philippensis and Aegle marmelos.
It is said to be one of beautiful places on the earth as has greener pastures. Especially during winter, plenty of migrated birds come over here. Animals like Tiger, Wild Dogs, Panthers, Storks, Foxes Hyena, Gaurs, Teals, Spotted Deer’s, Pythons, Jackals, Ducks, Sloth Bears, Nilgai, and Sambars.

The forest department which is taking several steps to promote the Pakhal Lake as one the most sought after tourist spots in the State is planning to introduce night camping and jungle safari facilities in the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary in the district. It is already developing amenities like seating areas by setting up the fence covering seven acres of the land on a hillock abutting the Pakhal Lake in an attempt to provide safe shelter for the tourists in view of the growing monkey menace. 

Forest Department prepared plans to develop Pakhal lake, which is part of the Pakhal wildlife sanctuary, at an estimated cost of Rs 1.50 crore in a bid to promote eco-tourism. While a day camping facility is available near the lake, officials plan to set up a canopy walkway (treetop walk) and others soon. 

This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.

Best time to visit : November – June

Accommodation : Forest Rest House provided by the Telangana Tourism Board which is comfortable for visitors.
How to reach Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary: By Road: Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 50-km from Warangal, Number of buses are available.

By Rail: The nearest rail station is Warangal. Visitors can take Narsampet-Warangal Division which is 50 kms from Warangal.


By Air: Hyderabad is the nearest airport Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary.


https://telanganatoday.com/warangal-night-camping-jungle-safari-to-be-introduced-at-pakhal-lake-soon

https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/book-on-pakhal-biodiversity-525362

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Shitab Khan

Shitab Khan also spelled Chitapu Khan, was born Sitapathi Raju in the Telangana, South India. He was from a Hindu family of cow-herders of the Boya community, then considered "low caste". He joined as a foot soldier in the army of Humayun Shah the Bahmani Sultan, and rose up the ranks to acquire senior captaincy, his own jagir (a land fief) and the title 'Shitab Khan'. He always used the title in his inscriptions but never actually converted to Islam

This warrior, regarding the reading of whose title there is no manner of doubt, is described in the Tarz'kh-i-Muhammad Qutab Shahi as“ the Raja of Khammamet, a fearless infidel." This description has much puzzled Lieutenant-Colonel Briggs who, in volume III of his History of the Rise the Muhammadan Power in India, makes Shitab Khan a Hindu, and confers on him the title of " Seetaputty." The historian of the Qutb Shahi kings is, however, corroborated by the Telugu inscription in the Hanamkonda Thousand Pillar temple, bearing the date 1503, . The truth seems to be that Shitab Khan WaS a renegade Musalman who, on the disruption of the Bahmani kingdom, allied himself with Hindus and by means of their aid established a small independent principality. From the inscription we may infer that he was in possession of Hanamkonda and Warangal in 1503, and he was still in possession of the same tract in 1515 after Sultan Quli Qutb Shah’s war with the Sultan of Berar, at which period Khammame, Warangal, and Nalgonda were included in Shitab Khan's dominions.

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Warangal Fort

The fort of Warangal referred to as Orugallu, Orumgallu or Ekasilanagaram in the inscriptions and literature rose to prominence, when it was the capital of Kakatiya kingdom during the reign of Ganapati Deva Maharaja (1199-1261).

Warangal Fort is one of the main attractions of warangal due to its heritage significance. The fort is spread across 19 km between warangal and hanamkonda.

It has seven concentric fortifications, with the inner stone fortification containing 45 bastions and gateways at the four cardinal points, and signifies essence of early medieval defence architecture. The remains of Swayambhu temple complex enclosed by four lofty toranas and the Kush mahal or the Shitab Khan mahal.

Kush Mahal(Shitab Khan Palace): This rectangular palace (16x38x12 m), with an arched entrance, was built in Indo-Saracenic style. Its interior is marked by arches joining both walls and supporting the ceiling. This edifice was said to be raised by Shitab Khan, whose lengthy record dated 1504 AD found near the southern torana attributes him to Hindu origin. 

Inner or stone wall of Warangal. This was begun by Ganapati and
completed by his daughter Rudrammadevi, who also built the outer wall of the city. The circumference of the stone wall is 4 miles and 630 yards with 72 pillars and though it is evidently of Hindu workmanship, as appears from the architecture of the gateways, it must frequently have been repaired by Musalmans, for countless stones carved with figures of Hindu gods and their attendants which have been removed from the large temple which stood in the centre of the inner fort, have been built at random into the wall, their carved surfaces being sometimes turned inwards for the better concealment of objects of idolatrous worship. Of the large temple just mentioned nothing remains but four magnificent gates, even the enclosing wall having been removed, but from the large area which this wall,
enclosed and the exquisite carving of the stones which have been used for the repair of the fort wall.

The diameter of the area enclosed by the earthern wall built by Rudrammadevi is about two miles, and this space was occupied by the city of Warangal, while that within the stone wall seems to have contained,besides temples, the palaces of the Raja and his nobles.

There is yet another outer wall, also of earth, the remains of which are distinctly visible, enclosing an almost circular area, the diameter of which varies between 85 and 9 miles. The use of this outer rampart can only be conjectured, for it is obvious that it cannot have been the wall of a fenced city. The defence of more than l29 miles of wall would have been a task beyond the capacity even of those vast armies which the Hindu rulers of the south were able in old times to gather round themselves, and an urban area of more than 127 square miles would have been an extravagant allowance for the population Of the greatest cities of antiquity. It may be conjectured that this outermost wall enclosed all the suburban villages and was no more than an unnecessarily costly suburban boundary ; but its existence has stimulated lovers of the marvellous to flights of fancy, and the modern inhabitant of Warangal will inform the visitor that the old city had no less than seven walls, of which three have already been mentioned. The remainder are said to have disappeared, but it is gravely asserted that the rock fortress of Bhongir was merely a bastion on the outermost wall, from which it may be roughly calculated that this mythical wall had a Circumference of 373 miles and enclosed an urban area of 20,240 square miles.

Historic landmarks of the Deccan / by T. W. Haig

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Thousand Pillars Temple

The magnificent temple of the thousand pillars at Hanamkonda is one of the most important parts of the Warangal City. The temple was constructed in the 1162 - 1163 AD by the great Prataparudradeva I/ Rudradeva and the deity is Rudreshwara Swamy, a personification of Lord Shiva.

The temple has an old and long history and dates back to the Chalukyan era. Constructed in the 1163 AD by Rudra Deva, Thousand Pillar Temple in Hanamkonda is one of the finest specimens of Kakatiya architecture and sculp- ture. The temple depicts the typical Chalukyan style of architecture.
While the gopuram (tower) was tragically knocked down by vandal invaders, the main structure itself has managed to survive the test of time. The pillars of the temple in particular are known for their detail, design, and resplen- dent polish.

The temple base is a star shaped with three shrines devoted to Rudradeva (Siva), Vasude- va (Vishnu) and Surya (Sun). Siva’s shrine faces east and other shrines face south and west. 

On the fourth side is Nandi. Adding to the unique- ness, the Nandi in the Thousand Pillar temple looks east, unlike most Nandis in Indian temples that look west facing Lord Siva. 

The main deities are arranged in square sanctums fronted by an antarala leading to a common natya mantapa with a long portico entrance from the south. Between the temple and the portico entrance from the pavilion, houses a huge monolithic Nandi made of black basalt open to the sky. Behind the Nandi, there existed a splendid edifice, a hall of columns, nearly 300 in number called the Kalyana Mandapam. Though there are sup- posed to be 1000 pillars in the building complex, yet no pillar obstructs a person standing at any point of the temple from viewing the deity in the other temple.

Every part of the temple depicts the typical Chalukya style of architecture. The Thousand Pillar temple has three presiding deities, Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Surya Deva. The temple stands as a statement of the finest of arts of the Kakatiyas. It is dedicated -to the god Rudra, the thunderer, who seems to have been the tutelary deity of the Kakatiyas, and contains, carved on a :square pillar in what is now an outlying portion of the temple, a long Sanskrit inscription "Mahamandaleshwara (‘l the great Lord ") Rudradeva, son of Prolaraia, Jagatikesarin Kakatiya, son and successor of Tribhuvana Betmaraja of Warangal.

The temple also contains another inscription of much later date, in Telugu, which commemorates the heroism of a Muhammadean general named Shitab Khan. The existence in a Hindu temple of an inscription written in a Hindu language in praise of a Muhammadan general

The sculptural beauty of the temple is a reminiscent of the rich cultural of heritage of Kakatiya Kingdom.

The intricate designs and carvings at the temple have always been a riddle to common public visiting the temple from different parts of the country and the world.

The super structure consists essential of stone columns and roof with plan dimensions of 31 m X 25m. All the pillars are carved out of coarse-grained porpheritic granite and dolerite.

The shrines have no deities except for a 'Lingam' in one of them. The huge granite Nandi, which is a splendid specimen of monolith. The Nandi figure measuring six feet in height presents itself in beautiful form with exquisitely chiseled ornaments and garlands.


The Thousand Pillar Temple perched elegantly on the slope of a hillock is one of the finest specimens showcasing the rich architectural legacy and skill in stone sculpting of the Kakati- ya Period. The rock-cut elephants on either side of the main shrine and the black basalt Nandi measuring about 6 ft in height, clearly brings out the fine carving skills of these craftsmen. Their mastery is evident from the richly carved pillars in the main temple.

This temple is one of the important tourist attractions in the city with most visitors of all the other tourist places. Almost on an average 1500-1600 visitors visit the temple every day.






Historic landmarks of the Deccan / by T. W. Haig

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Bhadrakali Temple

Bhadrakali Temple at Hanamkonda is significant Devi temple located on the hilltop between the twin cities of Hanamkonda and Warangal in Telangana. The temple is held in high esteem by devotees of the of Goddess Bhadrakali popularly called the ‘Grant Mother Goddess’. Remarkable feature of the temple is the square shaped stone image of the Goddess (2.7 X 2.7 meters). In the image goddess is seen in a sitting posture with fierce looking eyes and face. The Goddess can also be seen wearing a crown and having eight hands holding various weapons.

The Kohinoor diamond is believed to be originally installed as one of the eyes of the goddess by the Kakatiya kings.

High point of Bhadrakali Temple is an artificial lake of 2 ½ kms

radius in the vicinity of the temple. Number of natural rock formations in the surroundings add to the spiritual charm of the temple and are the most dominant feature of the temple. Some of the unique shaped rocks are said to carry immense spiritual powers. The structure of the temple is said to be 250 years old. Though the image of the deity is called the Bhadrakali, the goddess is said to have been transformed by the mantras into a very rare form called the Tripura Sundari, which includes the Kali form. Tripura Sundari is regarded as the supreme manifestation of Prakriti - the feminine power which is the vital energy of the universe. Literal meaning of Tripura Sundari is 'The Beauty of the Three Worlds' or more precisely the three Cites or 'Pura'.

India is blessed with deeply rooted culture and spirituality and there are eternal structures to narrate our glorious history. One such ancient construction that reveals our history is the Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal. The temple which is counted as one of the oldest temples of Indian History is dedicated to the worship the mother of goddesses, Kali Matha or Bhadrakali Ammavaru. Goddess Bhadrakali is a true example of the capability and strength of women. Surrounded by the lush greenery amidst the hilly region, the Bhadrakali Temple opens up to a picturesque setting on the banks of the Bhadrakali Lake. The serene surroundings of the temple work as an add-on and help the mind to relax and soothe the soul, while one gives away in obedience to the supreme power.

The history behind the temple dates back to 625AD. It is believed that the Chalukya King Pulekesi II after successfully bringing the Vengi region of Telangana under his dominion, constructed a magnificent temple dedicated to the mother goddess to celebrate his victory and also express his dedication and gratitude to goddess Bhadrakali for granting him his competence. We can see the style of the great Chalukya Dynasty in every bit of the temple, right from its architecture to the main deity, which displays the Ekanda Shila or single stone sculpture, which makes as the trademark style attributed to the Chalukyas. One can also observe the strong resemblance to the Kakatiya style of architecture in the temple, particularly the entrance gateways which are made of stone. One of the inner pillars of the temple has a Sanskrit inscription on it. That particular pillar is called the Antralaya stambam.


The lake was later built by Ganapathi deva, a minister of Kaktiya Dynasty. The lake serves as an integral part of the city, being the perennialwaterresourceandisconnectedtothe Maneru Dam via Kakatiya Canal. The lake is sur- rounded by hillocks and other religious spaces such as the padmakshi temples, hanuman temple etc. The temple and the lake prescient attract many pilgrims and tourists throughout the year.

Temple Timings: All Days of the Week


05:30 AM - 01:00 PM and 3:00 PM - 08:30 PM

http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/dw-bhadrakali-temple.html

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Kakatiya Dynasty

1000 AD - 1323 AD
Founder : Venna
Capitals : Anmakonda (Hanumakonda), Orugallu / Ekasilanagara (Warangal)
Languages : Telugu was the preferred language, Sanskrit, Kannada
Religion : Jainism, Hinduism (Saivism)
Royal Emblem : Garuda, Varaha 

c.800 AD - 995 AD is the first phase of Kakatiya Dynasty as vassals of Rashtrakuta Dynasty and ruled independently from 973 AD - 995 AD

c. 1000 AD - 1158 AD is the second phase and vassals of Western Chalukyas

Between 1149 AD and 1158 AD Kakatiya Prola II declared his independence

1158 AD - 1323 AD is the independent rule.

Kakatiyas are descendants of Karikala Chola King of Durjaya clan, who initially started as vassals of the Chalukyas in India, and later emerged as a ruling dynasty, with their capital at Kakatipura (probably named after the village diety, Kakatamma) or present day Warangal, in the state of Telangana, India.

The Kakatiya dynasty was an Indian dynasty that ruled most of eastern Deccan region comprising present day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and parts of eastern Karnataka and southern Odisha between 12th and 14th centuries.

Kakatiyas were the devotees of Goddess Kakati, their ancestry has been traced to the Solar dynasty of the Ikshvaku kshatriyas.

A story in the Siddhesvara-charita states that Madhavavarman, an ancestor of the Kakatiyas, obtained military strength by the grace of goddess Padmakshi. Probably from Vishnukundin Dynasty

It is from the surname 'kakartya' of Gundana that we have derivatives like :- 'kakata', 'kakati', 'kaketi', 'kakita' etc...

The word 'kakati', undergoes Sanskritization to become 'Kooshmanda'. Amongst the yakshinis of jainism, 'Kooshmandini' is a synonym of 'Ambika Devi'. Goddess Kushmanda is also fourth form of Durga.

Dedicated to Goddess Padmavati, located on a hilltop in the heart of the town of Hanamakonda, Padmakshi Gutta

The Kakatiya period was rightly called the brightest period of the Telugu history. The entire Telugu speaking area was under the kings who spoke Telugu and encouraged Telugu. They established order throughout the strife torn land and the forts built by them played a dominant role in the defence of the realm. Hanumakonda and Gandikota among the 'giridurgas', Kandur and Narayanavanam among the 'vanadurgas', Divi and Kolanu among the 'jaladurgas', and Warangal and Dharanikota among the 'sthaladurgas' were reckoned as the most famous strongholds in the Kakatiya period. The administration of the kingdom was organized with accent on the military.

Though Saivism continued to be the religion of the masses, intellectuals favoured revival of Vedic rituals. They sought to reconcile the Vaishnavites and the Saivites through the worship of Harihara. Arts and literature found patrons in the Kakatiyas and their feudatories. Tikkana Somayaji, who adorned the court of the Telugu Chola ruler Manumasiddhi II, wrote the last 15 cantos of the Mahabharata which was lying unfinished. Sanskrit, which could not find a place in the Muslim-occupied north, received encouragement at the hands of the Kakatiyas. Prataparudra was himself a writer and he encouraged other literature. 

The Kakatiya dynasty expressed itself best through religious art. Kakatiya art preserved the balance between architecture and sculpture, that is, while valuing sculpture, it laid emphasis on architecture where due. The Kakatiya temples, dedicated mostly to Siva, reveal in their construction a happy blending of the styles of North India and South India which influenced the political life of the Deccan. Building temple and lake (an irrigation tank ) side by side was the tradition of the Kakatiya.

Motupalli port was famous for foreign trade during the period of Kakatiyas.

Ministers during the period of Kakatiyas were called as Tirthas.

Vidyanatha wrote Prataparudra Yashobhusanam.

Bayyaram Cheruvu inscription was issued by Mailamba.

Magallu inscription was issued by Danarnava. 

Achitendra was the author of Hanumakonda inscription. 

Rudradeva issued Hanumakonda inscription about the victories of Prolaraja II in 1163.

The gold coin during the period of Kakatiyas was called as Gadvanam.

The remains of immense irrigation tanks and channels show that the rulers of the country devoted great attention to the improvement of agriculture.

There was enormous accumulations of wealth, consisting of gold, precious stones (including Kohinoor diamond), and elephants. The people appear to have been brave, happy, and prosperous, and from west to east there were scattered about numerous holy shrines which brought together thousands of pilgrims. It was this wealth that attracted the cupidity of the Mahomedans. 

1149 AD: Tailapa-III or Kumara Tailapa was defeated by Kakatiya Prola II around 1149 AD.

1158 AD : The earliest extant record from Rudradeva's reign as sovereign power is the 1158 CE Daksharamam inscription issued by his minister Inangala Brammireddi. 

1163 AD Anumakonda inscription of Rudradeva alias Prataparudra I is another record that describes the Kakatiyas as a sovereign power.

Venna
Founder of the Kakatiya line. Mentioned in Bayyaram inscription.

Gunda I

Gunda II

The first three chiefs are known only due to references by later Kakatiyas. None of the events that took place under their reigns are known, as no contemporary records for these chiefs exist.

c.870 A.D - c.900 A.D: Gunda III Son. Rashtrakuta vassal. 

895 A.D : As per the MASULIPATNAM PLATES of CHALUKYA BHIMA 1(892 - 922 A. D), IRIMARTIGANDA, the eldest son of Chalukya Bhima 1 killed a Rashtrakuta general named Dandena Gunda during one of the invasion. Gunda III dies fighting for his overlord, the Rashtrakuta king Krishna II (878-914).

c. 900 A.D - c. 940 A.D : Erra / Erriya Son. Rashtrakuta vassal. 

Ruled from Kakatipura. Erra is given the land of Kurravadi in Warangal, in repayment for the services of his father.

c. 940 A.D - c. 950 A.D : Betiya Son. Rashtrakuta vassal. Mentioned in the Mangallu grant. 

c. 950 A.D - c. 995 A.D : Gunda IV / Pindi Gunda Son. Rashtrakuta vassal.

956 AD : Mangallu, Nandigama Taluk, Krishna District. : Eastern Chalukya Amma II

The charter records the gift, at the instance of a feudatory chief named Kakatya Gundyana, of the village of Mangallu in favour of a Brahmana named Dommana. It is addressed by king Ammaraja II (Vijayaditya VI) to the householders headed by the Rashtrakutas of the Nätavadi district and the Mantrin, Purohita, Senapati, Yuvaraja and other members of the eighteen tirthas.

970 A.D : Gunda IV supplies help to Danarnava on behalf of his master, Krishna III, to help him set aside his brother, the Eastern Chalukyan king, Amma II, and occupy the throne of Vengi. As a result, Gunda is gifted with Natavadi / Manigallu as a token of gratitude. The Mangallu (of the Eastern Chalukyan king Danarnava (970 – 973 AD) grant furnishes the genealogy of Kakatiya Guṇḍyana. According to this inscription, Betiya, Eriya, Rastrakuta and Gundiya Rastrakuta were the father, grandfather and great grandfather of Kakatiya Guṇḍyana respectively.  

973 A.D : Following the collapse of Rashtrakuta power in 973, Gunda IV became an independent chief. He took the opportunity to expand his fledgling dominions by attacking his neighbors to the southeast, the Mudigonda Chalukyas of the modern-day Khammam district. 

However, Gunda was eventually killed by one Viriyala Erra, who installed the Mudigonda Chalukya chief Bottu Beta as ruler of Koravi. It is likely that the general Viriyala Erra and the Mudigonda Chalukyas had the support of Tailapa II, the new Western Chalukya monarch who had replaced Rashtrakuta authority in the region.

Neighbours
Viriyala Dynasty
Mudigonda Chalukyas (850 AD - 1218 AD)
Vemulawada Chalukyas (641 AD - 973 AD)

c. 1000 AD - 1052 AD: Beta I / Garuda Beta
General : Recherla Brahma
According to the Guider epigraph, Beta was too young to rule when his father was killed. The Kakatiya family was in dire straits at this time, being deprived of their lands as well as an adult male head. They were saved from extinction by the grace of Kamavasani, the wife of Viriyala Erra. Kamavasani was most likely related to the Kakatiyas in some way, and she might also be identical with the figure of Kuntaladevi mentioned in the Siddheshvaracharitra, who is also credited with saving the Kakatiya family. 

Under Kamavasani’s guidance and protection, Beta eventually rose to become the ruler of Anumakonda under Western Chalukya suzerainty.

The Gudur inscription states that a person named Sura killed Kadaya-nayaka of Velpugonda (modern Jaffargadh 25 miles SE of Warangal); set up Ravva-nripa at Velpugonda; and obtained from him Mogadupalli, Botipadu, Mavidlu, and the friendship of Garuda-raja. This suggests that Sura also helped Beta I ("Garuda-raja"), although his relationship to Beta I, Kama-vasani, or Viriyala Erra is not clear from the inscription.

Beta was thus the first of his family to rule in this region, which would become the core territory of the Kakatiyas, and remain under their rule until the final demise of the dynasty.Garuda is a great warrior who probably joins the Western Chalukya armies of Someswara I in the Chola invasion of 1052. Along with his general, Recharla Bramha, he destroys the Chola armies (of King Rajadhiraja I) and enters the city of Kanchi. 

Sanigaram inscription is the earliest one to refer to Beta I's affiliation to Jainism . It states that he made gifts to the Juddhamalla Jinalaya . 

24th December, A.D. 1051 : Sanigaram, Siddipet District
Trailokyamalladeva and Beta I : This inscription is on a stone set up near the Bhimeswara temple. The record states that mahasamantha Kakatiya Beta`s Pergade Vaijaraja`s son Naranayya renovated the Duddhamalla Jainalaya of Sanagara (village) and endowed it with a ratna after obtaining of the consent of the local gamundas named Muppadayya and Punniraddi.

1052 AD - 1076 AD : Prola I (Arigajakesari)
General : Recherla Muccha
Prola subdues enemy chiefs (from Chakrakuta Bhadranga Purukuta in Bastar to Konkana Mandala) for his overlord Someswara I and his son Vikramaditya VI. For his services he receives Anumakonda (Hanumanakonda). Kesamudram Lake or Kesari Tatakam in Warangal is constructed during the reign of Prola I.

13th November, 1053 AD : Sanigaram, Karimnagar District. Trailokyamalladeva and Prolarasa-I 
This inscription is on a stone pillar in the field near the village. The record states that the king`s subordinate mahasamanta Kakatiya Polalarasar after informing the local gavundas, made a gift of twelve maneya of residential sites, a ratana, twenty mattars of black soil, twenty mattars of kesukadu and with the consent of Kateraddi and others of Bezavanka (village) gave one mattar of wetland to the god Mudhupisvara of Khandi Sanigara (village) installed by pergada Madhuvappayya.

The Kakatiya Prola mentioned here is obviously Prola I.

1076 AD - 1108 AD: Beta II (Tribhuvana Malla) 
Generals : Recherla Kata I, Malyala Danna Supported Chalukya Vikramaditya VI in his conflict against his brother, Somesvara II. When Vikramaditya won the Chalukya civil war and became king in 1076, he thus conferred on Beta the title of Vikrama-chakrin. Beta was also able to obtain Sabbinadu (Sabbi-1000) in the modern-day Karimnagar district from the Chalukya king. Besides this, not much else is known about this Kakatiya ruler. 

1079 AD : The earliest among the Kakatiya inscriptions is engraved on a boulder at Komarapalli, a suburb of Hanamkonda. The record, written in Telugu, is dated Saka 1001 (1079 A.D.), Siddharthin, and states that Vikrama Chakrin Mahamandalesvara Beta granted some land, free from all taxes, to the gods Prolesvara and Betesvara for a perpetual lamp. The first deity was apparently named after Prola who was the father of Beta II and the son of Beta I.

26th December, 1079 AD : This inscription is on a pillar lying by the side of the road to Kazipet, dated S. 1001, Siddharthi, Solar eclipse, (A.D. 1079, Dec. 26, Thursday). Records the gift of 12 manigas of ghee for a Nandadivipa to Prolesvara in the temple of Betesvara by Beta.

25th December, 1082 AD : Banjipet, Warangal District.
This inscription is on a pillar lying in the east of the village. Registers the gift of some land by Mahamaṇḍalesvara Kakatiya Betarasa to Vira Kamala-Jinalaya built by Mahamandalesvara Medarasa of Ugravadi, a subordinate of the Western Chalukya king Tribhuvanamalladeva (Vikramaditya VI). The inscription is dated S. 1004 Dundubhi, Pushya Su. 3, Adivara (A.D. 1082; December, 25, Sunday). Medarasa is said to belong to Vengonta kula of the lineage of Madhavavarman who had 8,000 elephants, 10 crores of horses and countless foot-soldiers. The inscription is written by Ayyupayya and Sridhara

Nov 24, 1090 AD : Kazipet, Warangal District - This inscription is in a stone pillar in Dargah. Dated S. 1012 Pramoda, Kartika ba. 15, Sunday, Solar eclipse (A.D. 1090, Nov. 24). Records the grant of a certain village as sarvamanya by king Dugga-Tribhuvana Malla son of Betarasa to the Kalamukha monk Ramesvara Pandita of Parvatavali the head of the famous Mallikarjuna silamatha of Sri Parvata. It also records the grant of one mana of oil everyday for nandadivige by the nakram of Anumakonda to the god Umamahesvara.

24th March, 1098 AD : Mittapalli, Saidapet Taluk, Medak -The inscription registers the gift of gadde land measuring two marttars and karamba land measuring 40 marttars, along with ratana and gana [oil mill] after making it free from all encumbrances to the god Somesvara in the agrahara village Mittapalli, towards the daily rites as well as repairs to the temple by Erapareddi, after washing the feet of Tarkavalapandita who was in the service of the temple. The village lies in Pulganuru-70. The said donor was in the service of Kakatiya Tribhuvana Malla Raja i.e., Beta II ruler of Anmakundapura.

1107 AD : Sanigaram  Inscription mentions Mahamandalesvara Kakatiya Beta II as his subordinate

1108 AD - 1116 AD : Durgaraja
Generals : Recherla Kata I, Malyala Danna Durgaraja began actively participating in the Kakatiya administration even before his father's death. We know this because the only inscription of Durgaraja is dated to 1098, while the last record of Beta II is dated to 1108. However, less than a decade after Beta II's death, another of his sons, Prola II, was in power. The Kotapalli epigraph states that Prola II offered asylum to his brother's son (i.e. the son of Durgaraja), which suggests that the reign of Durgaraja came to a sudden and violent end. It is quite likely that there was a power struggle between the two brothers Prola II and Durgaraja, and that Prola II himself put an end to Durgaraja's reign. However, respecting the fact that Durgaraja was still his brother, he offered protection for his son (Prola's nephew). Prola was firmly in power by 1116 as the head of the Kakatiyas.

1116 AD - 1158 AD : Prolla II Brother of Durgaraja. Son of Beta II
General : Recherla Kama Chamupati, Malyala Danna 

24 December, 1117 AD : Hanumakonda, Warangal District. Tribhuvanamalla [Vikramaditya VI] and Prola 
This inscription is on a slab fixed in the Museum. The inscription records the construction of the Kadalalaya basadi on the top of the hill by Mailama, the wife of Beta, the minister of Kakati Prola and the gift of two mattars of wet land below the bund of the tank built by her husband Betana-Pergade and two martars of the black soil on the west of the tank and six martars of uncultivated land for the daily worship, incense, lights and oblations in the temple and for the food, clothing etc., of the temple priest in the C.V. 42, Hevalambi, Paushya ba.15 Somavara, Uttarayana samkranti (Monday, 24th December, A.D. 1117). It starts with the prasasti of the Chalukya emperor Tribhuvanamalladēva, that is, Vikramaditya VI and introduces his subordinate Mahamandalesvara Kākati Betarasa, the lord of Anmakonda. His minister, the dandadhi-nayaka Valja, who is said to have induced his master to accompany him to the court of the Chalukya emperor and obtained as a favour from the latter Sabbi-nadu (one) thousand. To Valja-daṇḍadhinatha and his wife Yakamabbe was born Bēta the husband of the donor Mailama who became the minister of Kakati Prola.

It also records a subsidiary gift by Mahamandalesvara Medarasa of Ugravadi, who was born in the family of Madhavavarman, of 1 mattar of wetland at the head of the canal Kuchikere (tank) of Orumgallu included within his fief, and 10 mattars of other land in the same place.

Prola II married Muppamamba (alias Muppama), a sister of the Chalukya vassal Natavadi Durgga-raja, who held a fief near Inugurti (Inugurthy). He had five sons: Rudra-deva, Maha-deva, Harihara, Ganapati (not to be confused with his grandson), and Durgga-raja.

1136 AD :  Chalukyas lost dominance in Telangana region. As per Inscriptions in Hanumakonda Library. Established son of Gokarna on Throne. Prolla II is responsible for subduing the Telugu Cholas of Kandur who defeated King Govinda and gave his kingdom to Udayaditya.The Chodas of Kanduru were located south of the Kakatiya dominions. They ruled over the region of Kandurunadu, which comprises parts of modern-day Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar districts. They had two capitals, one at Koduru in the west, and another at Panugallu in the east. 

Defeated Medaraja and conquered Pulavasa desa or Polavasa from modern Polas, Jagityal district to Narsampet Warangal district.

The land which Prola acquired he conferred on one Gangaraja. This Ganjaraja built a temple for god Prasanna Kesava in Hanumakonda

He joined Jagadekamalla in his march against Gundaraja and Edaraja of Manthena Vishaya who were disregarding the kings sovereignty.
Paola II beheaded Gunda (the ruler of Mantrakuta - after having been made to suffer the ignominy of having his head shaved and his breast marked with a boar.) and put to fight Edaraja seizing Manthena on the Godavari.  

1137 AD : Defeated Kumara Tailapa. 

1149 AD: Tailapa-III or Kumara Tailapa was defeated again by Kakatiya Prola II around 1149 AD. Prolaraja II declared himself as the first sovereign ruler of the Kakatiya dynasty.

Defeated Jaggadeva of Polavasa who attacked Hanumakonda.

Defeated Chalukya General Govindaraja and drove him away from panaugallu rajya and restored rajya to Udaya Choda son of Gokarna Choda, chief of Kunduru.  Padmakshi temple, Siddeswara temple, Kesava temple, Swayambhudevalayam were built by Prolaraja II. 

The conquests of Prola were confined to the Telugu districts. He appears to have improved the irrigation of the country by building tanks.

Sanigaram Inscription : 1071, Sukla corresponding to A.D. 1149. A subordinate officer of Prola II named Repola Kujuvarasa is mentioned and his dundandyaka Mapdaparasu of Atreya gotra and Kamma-tefo is stated to have made some gifts of land and ratana to the god Parthsvara. 

1158 AD : The earliest extant record from Rudradeva's reign is the 1158 CE Daksharamam inscription issued by his minister Inangala Brammireddi. The Daksharamam inscription dates itself to the Shaka year 1080 (1158 CE) and to the 13th regnal year of the "Chalukya-Chola" king Rajaraja II. This inscription describes the death of his father, possibly during an invasion of the Vengi area in the coastal Andhra regionand presumed killed by Gonka II (1132–1161). Multiple feudatory chiefs appear to have fought against him in this battle, as several of them claim the responsibility for killing him in their inscriptions. 

1158 AD - 1195 AD : Rudradeva Son of Prola II

Son : Prataparudra I.
General : Recheral Kata II, Recherla Rudra 

An ambitious king, Rudradeva extends the boundaries of his kingdom: in the north (taking in modern day Karimnagar, and East Godavari); in the south (where he turns his attention to the Kandur Telugu Chola kings Bhima and Chodur in Nalagonda and Mahboobnagar, sacking their cities, Vardhamana and Kandur); and in the east (the Chalukya Chola regions of king Rajaraja III).

Palanadu war took place during the period of Prataparudra I.

The Palanadu chiefs fight amongst themselves, so Rudradeva renders military assistance to Nalagama’s faction. The military strength of Velanadu has been weakened, so Rudradeva exploits the situation by leading his forces into coastal Andhra and conquering territory as far as Srisailam and Tripurantakam in the south (subduing the chiefs of Kota and Kondapadumatis). Rudradeva extends his kingdom to the coastal regions of the Cholas after the death of Kulotunga.

Prataparudra divided his empire into 77 Nayankaras.

Started building Orugallu (Warangal).

1160-61 AD : Draksharamam, Ramachandrapuram Taluk, East Godavari District.
This inscription as a sovereign power is on the wall between the fifth and sixth pillars of the Bhimeswara temple at Draksharamam. This inscription is damaged, states that Dannamadevi, the queen of Kakati Rudradevaraja, set up a perpetual lamp (Akanda vatti) with metal stand to the god Bhimeswara and also gifted 50.....dlu (probably cows) for the supply of oneTribhuvana[nkusa]-mana of ghee. 

1163 AD Anumakonda inscription of Rudradeva alias Prataparudra I describes the Kakatiyas as a sovereign power.  Rudra Deva built Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Temple decorated with 1,000 pillars and is popularly known as Thousand Pillars Temple. 

13th January, 1171 AD : Karimnagar, Karimnagar District.
This inscription is on a stone pillar laying in the Collector's Bungalow. The record is in Telugu verse except a few lines in the end which are in prose. It gives a lengthy account of the minister Gangadhara. His ancestors are said to be the natives of Vellanki village in Vengi- desa. In the gotra of Atri, Kommanarya was born. His son and grandson were respectivelyNarayaṇan and Govinda. To Govinda and his wife Turukamamba was born Gamgadhara. After completing his education Gamgadhara joined the service of Kakati Prola and became the minister of Rudradeva. The present record registers the grant of Dimdomta village as agrahara to the brahmanas and the construction of Trikuta temple to the god Siva by Gamgadhara. He is also said to have constructed temples at several places, Anumakonda, Hidimbachala, Nagaruru etc., the last name being the capital of Sabbi-nadu over which he was appointed as governor.

1181 AD : Moripirala, Warangal District
This inscription is on a stone lying in the village. States that Proli Reddi, probably a descendent of the Viriyala family constructed several temples including that of Prolesvara, dug a well and granted Vrittis and mango garden to the deity.

The genealogy of Proli-reddi is given: It starts with Koti-reddi, the pet servant of Somanatha of Kolipaka (Kulpak) and his wife Vallusani who had a son Bali-reddi. The latter had 5 sons through his wife Bollasani and their names are (1) Bhimireddi (2) Kotireddi (3) Bacireddi (4) Proli-reddi and (5) Malli-reddi, Proli-reddi, the donor of the present record had a wife Macamambika.

23rd April, 1195 AD : Pillalamarri
Recheruvula Nama or Nami Raddi, son of Kama and a subordinate of king Rudradeva built a trikuta (triple-shrine) to God Siva consisting of Kamesvara (in the name of his father). Kachesvara (in the name of his mother) and Namesvara (in his own name) at Pillalamarri and granted for the anga-and ranga-bhogas of the god Namesvara and the worship of the other two deities, lands under Sabbi samudram, Visvanatha samudram and Gaurasamudram at Kudukudi.

1195 AD : Bekkallu, Jangaon Taluk, Warangal District.
This inscription is on the inner wall of the Siva temple. Gives a lengthy description of the king's subordinates of Ranjana family. Pommana, his son Daddapa, his son Kulvana and his son Gadadhara are stated. The last name is said to have constructed the temple of Srikantha (Siva). The poet Nagadeva son of Damodara of the Gautama gotra composed the inscription.

The middle portion, which is in Telugu, records that in the year Saka 1117 installed the gods Goyyesvara, Bayyesvara and Ramesvara after the names of his brothers Goyyaravutu and Bayyaravutu and gifted some lands for the worship and offerings of the above deities, by Gadadhara and his brothers.

The rivalry between the Kakatiyas and Yadavas was started from the period of Prataparudra I.

1195 : Rudradeva dies fighting the Seuna Yadava king Jaitrapala I.

1195 AD - 1199 AD : Mahadeva Brother.
General : Recherla Rudra 1197 : Yadavas of Devagiri captures prince Ganaptideva with the help of kakaitiya feudatories (Harihara, Ganapati, gunda) when the king was not in the fort.

1199 : Mahadeva dies fighting Yadavas of Devagiri to release his Son Ganapatideva.

1199 AD - 1261 AD: Ganpatideva
General : Recherla Rudra
Rebellions arise in the kingdom but these are crushed by the Kakatiya general, Recherla Rudra and ruled the Kingdom in the absence of Ganapatideva. 

26th December, 1199 AD : Manthena, Karimnagar District.
This inscription is on a pillar in the Hanuman temple near the tank called Tamma cheruvu. The record refers itself to the first regnal year of Kakatiya Ganapatideva. A chief named Allamprolaraja, who was ruling over Chennuridesa is stated to have made with the consent of the king Ganapatideva, a grant of land to Manchibhattopadyaya, the priest of the latter, the object of the grant being to enable the donee to construct a village and a tank in it. The gift land is stated to have been bounded by Godavari on the south.

The donee Manchibhattopadhyaya accordingly founded a village and excavated a tank in the said land and gave house sites to brahmanas of Mantrakuta. He also installed temples for Kesavadeva and Mahadeva and gave a garden to the god Gopijanavallabha of Mantrakuta.

1208 AD : Devagiri-Yadava king Singhana states that Ganapati was liberated,' apparently from some confinement, by Singhana's father, Jaitrapala I, and his kingdom handed over to him.

Recharla Rudra has the title of 'Kakatiyarajya stapanacharya'.

Ganapatideva was greatest among all Kakatiya rulers and ruled for a long period.

Raja Ganapatideva was the most powerful and eminent ruler of the dynasty who expanded the kingdom from the coastal Bay of Bengal in the east to the holy city of Kancheepuram in the south. Well versed in art and culture and literary pursuits, Kakatiya kings were great builders too. The Chalukyan style of temple architecture and decorative skill in sculpting greatly flourished and improved during their reign. These mighty kings were benevolent, egalitarian and able administrators - having democratic outlook in their governance.

Ganapatideva completed building Orugallu (Warangal) and shifted the capital from Hanumakonda to Warangal. Started Inner or stone wall of Warangal.

March 31, 1213 AD : Contruction of Ramappa Temple Completed by Recharla Rudra during Ganapatideva reign.

Ramappa Cheruvu, Pakala Cheruvu, Lakkavaram Cheruvu were dug during Ganapatideva reign

Having no sons, Ganpatideva hands over the reigns of his kingdom to his daughter, Rudramadevi. 

1261 AD - 1289 AD : Rudramadevi
General : Recherla Prasaditya Nayak, Mallikarjuna Nayak

1269 : Father Ganapati Deva death.
Completed Inner or stone wall of Warangal.

1261AD : It must be remembered in this connection that the relationship of king Ganapati of the Kakatiyas with the Seuna was fairly cordial, but with the accession of queen Rudramadevi to the throne this cordiality ceased and a serious danger came to the Kakatiya empire, from the Seuna king Mahadeva, who succeeded his cousin Krishna in 1260 A.D. and who invaded the Kakatiya kingdom. His invasion ended in utter failure, for according to the Pratapacharita, Mahadera though he laid siege to the capital Warangal, was resisted valiantly by queen Rudramba for 15 days during which she destroyed three lakhs of Suena infantry and one lakh of cavalry. 

1267 AD : Inscription of Sarangapani Deva in the temple of Chaya Somanatha at Panugal of Nalgonda district dated 1267 A.D. which registers a gift of land to the temple by Sarangapanideva son of Seuna king Singhana a subordinate of the Kakatiya Manma Rudradeva which is the same as Rudramadevi. Evidently Sarangapanideva who had seized the fort of Panugal realised that it would be impossible for him to exercise independence without accepting the suzerainty of the Kakatiya queen. In a similar manner it is possible that other Yadava feudatories who might have been exercising control over the Raichur doab might also have accepted the overlordship of the Kakatiyas.

1280 : Uma Maheshwaram Inscription - Ramayyangar accountant of queen's treasury built number of temples and Mathas for Saiva devotees. His wife Malasani also involved in this pious work.
1289 : The queen dies along with her general Mallikarjuna Nayak, fighting the Kayastha chief, Ambadeva on Nov 27, 1289 according to the inscription found in Chandupatla. 

1289 AD - 1323 AD: Prataparudra
General : Recherla Vennama Nayak, Eradacha Nayak and Naladacha Nayak
Prataparudra suppresses internal and external challenges and expands his kingdom westwards. 

The UmaMaheshwara inscription of Mada I refers to the conquest of Bhills of Daca, general of Prataparudra.This may have taken place during the campaign of Muppidi Nayaka on Kanchi, during which camping he defeated Manne chiefs. The description of this conquest in the record is couched in slesha and it seems to import that these wild tribes were called ambers.

1296 : The Delhi Sultanate, Jalaluddin Khilji had begun conquering the region of the Deccan Plateau in 1296 during the time when Juna Khan, later to be known as Alauddin Khilji, nephew and son-in-law of Jalaluddin had plundered Devagiri in Maharashtra.

1303 : First Muslim Invasion against Kakatiyas. He wards off the first attack by Malik Kafur in 1303, during the Islamic conquest of India which is centred on the Delhi sultanate Allauddin Khilji.

1309 - 1310 : Second Muslim Invasion in 1309 by Malik Kafur general of Delhi Sultanate Alauddin Khalji, capture Siripur and Hanumakonda, and the kingdom ravaged forcing Prataprudra to sue for peace.
Alauddin Khalji got Kohinoor diamond from Pratap Rudradeva of Warangal.

1316 AD : Malik Kafur masterminded the death of Alauddin Khilji in 1316 and blinded the heir apparent Khizr Khan and Shadi Khan. Mubarak Khan, Khilji's third son escaped the blinding attempt and later Malik was assassinated by his soldiers whom he sent to blind Mubarak.

Kakatiya general Muppidi Nayaka drove out the Kerala kings from Kanchipuratn 

1317 A, D. Sundara Pandya arranged a service in the Vridhachalam temple in ho:nour of the Kakatiya general Muppidi Nayaka. Kakatiya general Davarinayaka drove out Kerala king Ravivarman Kulaiekhara and Keraja Vira Pandya from &n Rangam and established the younger brother Sundara Pandya on the throne at Viradhavalam near Tiruchchirappallt (while the elder brother Vira Paadya. continued his reign from Madura). The Kerala kings retired to Travancore. 
1318 - 1319 : Third Muslim Invasion when Mubarak Khilji was the Delhi Sultan. 

1320 : Prataprudra reasserts his independence as the Khilji dynasty ends and the Tughlaqs come to power in Delhi.

1323 : The fourth and fifth Muslim invasion took place against Kakatiyas in 1323, Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq sends his son, "Ulug Khan" alias "Junakhan" alias "Mohammad Bin Tuglak" to defeat the defiant Kakatiya king. The attack is repulsed. Tughlaqs return a month later with a larger and more determined army. The unprepared and battle-weary Kakatiya army at Warangal is finally defeated, and Prataparudra is taken prisoner.  It is said that he commits suicide by drowning himself in the River Narmada, while on his way to Delhi.

Ulugh Khan (also known as Muhammad bin Tughluq), the general that conquered Warangal, renamed it "Sultanpur" and remained as the governor of the region for a short period, thus ending the Kakatiya dynasty. 

With Prataprudra’s demise, Kakatiya rule comes to an end. Later, the Musunuri Nayaks who had served as army chiefs for the Kakatiya kingdom, unite the Telugu people and recover Warangal from Delhi. They rule the region for half a century.

Prataprudra’s brother, Annamdev, sets up his own kingdom at Bastar, Chattisgad.

References:

http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsFarEast/IndiaKakatiyas.htm

Historical sketches of ancient Dekhan, by K. V. Subrahmanya Aiyer.

A history of the Deccan. By J. D. B. Gribble

http://historum.com/blogs/civfanatic/5408-kakatiyas-telangana-part-i-early-chiefs-956-1116.html

Social and Cultural Life in Medieval Andhra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3XpacKY9uI

https://archive.org/stream/IHistorumQJHVol.3No.1/[I]%20HistorumQJH%20vol.%203-no.1_djvu.txt

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