Kakatiya Dynasty History
1163–1323 CE Orugallu (Warangal) was the capital of the Kakatiyas. Their administration, military system and social structure left a lasting legacy in Telangana.
Kakatiya Age – Rule and Developments
Kakatiya Administration
Kakatiyas ruled from A.D. 1163 to 1323, Orugallu as capital city. On the form and nature of their administration there are different opinions among the historians. Kakatiyas followed the earlier existing traditional system of administration in India and south India. Like in all Hindu kingdoms, son had the hereditary right to succeed the throne after death of the father. Though sudras, Kakatiyas followed ancient Raja Dharma and Raja Neeti as suggested by the ancient law writers. Ganapatideva had no sons, so he trained his daughter Rudramadevi in political administration and declared her as his successor, thus started a new tradition. The Mandala system is a new system in the central government introduced by the Kakatiyas. They encouraged the powerful Mandalikas and made friendship with them. Rudramadevi declared her grand son Prataparudra as her successor, and he ascended the throne after Rudramadevi.
There is an opinion that Kakatiyas followed the hereditary despotic political system, but according to Parabrahma sastry, who has done comprehensive research on Kakatiyas, Kakatiyas administration was built on decentralization of power. The proof of its decentralization is the strengthening of feudatories or feudal system. Whether this feudatory system strengthened the Kakatiya administration or weakened it, there are different opinions. On the nature of the Kakatiya administration, C.V Ramachandra rao's opinion was that, it was very near to segmentary state, as proposed by the American historian Burton Stein's 'Segmentary state'. But that is not true, like the Mauryan administration which was a metropolitan state, Kakatiyas was also a metropolitan state, as proposed by Romila Thapar. Among these entire opinions most acceptable one was the decentralized system, Kakatiyas was the decentralized administration.
Similarly decentralized administration was related to not only to Kakatiyas, their seventy two niyoga system, is clearly following of the western Chalukyas administration. The Nayankara system of the Kakatiyus is the precursor to the Vijayanagara period's administration of Amara nayaka system, is said by Parabrahma sastry. Kakatiya administrative structure moved from the down to upward moving step by step, from village, district, state and central government. The powers are clearly mentioned at different levels at central, state district and village; central government had supervision on all level. But along with these different levels of administration, feudatories also played important role in the administration.
During the Kakatiya period, the emperor had all powers with him, but the Kakatiya rulers did not call themselves as Maharajadhiraja, Parameshwara etc. Not only this, they had taken the simple titles of their feudatories like 'Samadigata Panch mahasabda', 'Mahamandaleshwara' only. They did not rule like autocrats thinking themselves as the sovereign monarchs. As per P.V. Parabrahma sastry's opinion 'Kakatiyas introduced a new type of administration, in which they dominated in the internal administration of the feudatories, and saw that the feudatories power never became powerful, and made appointment of the administrative officials through out the empire.
During the Kakaatiya period feudatories rebelled, only once i.e. in A.D.1290, Kayastha Ambadeva. The reason for this is they considered the feudatories as co rulers. Another thing is Kakatiyas respected the local traditions and continued them in the conquered regions. Like this Kakatiyas showed political wisdom and foresight, and never displayed their proud as supreme monarchs. Kakatiyas did not take any action on their feudatory Cheruku family, who did not mention the Kakatiyas as their Sovereigns.
The inscriptions and literature of the Kakatiya period inform that the king administered through council of ministers. The Kakatiyas respected and followed the concept that the State consists of seven limbs (saptanga samanvita). The ministers were selected on the basis of their experience and faithfulness to the state. We have no source to know the exact number of the ministers. Contemporary works like Neetisaram, Neeti sastra muktavalli, Prataprudra Yoshobhusanam discuss the duties and role of the king in political affairs, his authority over the administration, the Raja-Dharma, the ministers, high officaiulas and forts, safety etc... Are some the facts mentioned by the woks. The council consisted of ministers, Amatyas Preggadss, feudatories, Dandanayakas etc... The portfolios and the authorities are not known clearly. Malyala Hemadri reddy was the Mahapradhani during Ganapatideva's period; where as Muppidi Nayaka was the mahapradhani during Prataprudra's period. The contemporary work 'Purushanrtha saram' written by Siva Devayya, of Ganapatideva period mentioned that every day the king had meeting with all the ministers and discussed on various issues of the administration. All the affairs of administration (both civil and military) were divided into 72 Niyogas (classes). The official controlled all these Niyogas is known as Niyogadhipati. During Ganapatideva's period Kayastha Gangayya sahini, during the Rudramamba's period Tripuri and Ponka Malllaya Pragada acted as Bahattar Niyogadhipati. In the central administration during the Kakatiya period, the king, council of ministers and Bahattar Niyogadhipati played important role.
Regional Administration
The Kakatiyas divided their empire into Rastra, Sthala, Seema, Nadu Bhumi and Garma, for administrative convenience. Names of these divisions are found in some of the inscriptions issued during the Ganapatideva's and Prataparudra's period. Srisailam inscription(S.I.I. X. 504) of Prataparudra II mentioned the names, Naravadi nadu, Motavadi, Pakanadu, Renadu, Mulikinadu, Are Bhumi, Kandurunadu, Venginadu, Velanadu, Natavadi, Eruvanadu, Sakalinadu, Prolinadu, are some names mentioned. Sihalam is an area having twenty four villages. Sthalams are more in number. In the Warangal inscription, Anumkonda, Mattewada, and Orugallu together are in sthalam. (IAP, Wg p184). What type of control the central government had on the officials of the Rastra is not available in any source.
Village Administration
During the Kakatiya period, the village was the lowest level of administration, like the earlier period. Village's officers all together are known as Ayyagars. The Ayyagar system was already established in the villages prior to the Kakatiyas. There number was twelve. Among the village officials 'Karanam', Reddy, Talari, Purohita, Kammari, Kamsali, Vadrangi, Kummari, Chakali, Mangali, Vetti, Charmakara and Niruduvadu etc. ...Names are found in the inscriptions. They all are given tax free land for performing their services. In this Karanam, Reddy and Talari are the government officials. They were also given some share in the crops.
Army Administration
Kakatiyas maintained a well trained big army. Their victories in various wars with the contemporary rulers like Yadavas, Hoyasalas, Pandyas and Muslims support this view. The contemporary works on politics also help to know the army administration during the Kakatiyas period. The information from the contemporary works like Neetishastra muktavalli written by Baddena, Madiki Singhana's Sakala Neeti Sammatam, cannot be complete imagination, because the authors were holding important positions of administration. The Kakatiya rulers spent more time in safeguarding the empire from the internal as well as the external enemies of the empire. In the protection of the empire forts played very important role. The political thinkers of the period opined that it was very difficult to defeat, a ruler who had a strongly fortified. Neetisaram of Prataparudra mentions that the safety of the empire lies in the group of forts it has. As mentioned in the Neetisaram, there were four types of forts in the Kakatiya empire-Sthala (land), Jala (water), Vana (forest) and Giri (Hill), were there as mentioned in the inscriptions. The forts built by Kakatiyas like Orugallu, Raichuru, Golakonda, Bhuvanagiri, Rachakonda, Devarakonda, Nalagonda, and Panugallu were invincible.
Nayankara System
The administrative system was shaped accordingly keeping in view the military needs. The Kakatiyas distributed their lands to the military officials called Nayakas. The village or villages given to a Nayaka is known as Nayakasthala or Nayakasthala vritti. There was no clear definition of Nayakas characteristics or their responsibilities. In this Neetisara of Prataparudra was little helpful. To maintain the fourfold army (Chaturanga balas), and also fill the treasury, the king should keep the big villages yielding more income and give small villages to the subordinates, said Prataparudra. Here Nayakas means subordinates. The villages given to them are of two types. Small villages are given to them for their maintenance, no salary is paid, the income from the big villages, some income was paid to the king as tribute, and remaining is spent for the keeping an army for the service of the king. The Nayakas are supposed not to maintain the soldiers more than stipulated to them.
Kakatiya kings maintained with discipline and efficiently, Ashwa (Horse), Gaja (Elephant), Ratha (charioteers) and Kalbala (foot soldiers). Contemporary works have mentioned above forces. The army of Prataparudradeva consisted of 100 elephants, 20,000 horses and nine lakh foot soldiers. These officials are known as Gaja sahini and Ashwa sahini. The Nalgonda inscription of Ganapatideva informs that Kayastha Gangaya sahini was brought from North India for the maintenance of horse force of Ganapatideva. Induluri Annaya led the five lakh foot soldiers. Juyapa senani was Gaja sahini during Ganapatideva's period where as Bendapudi Annayya was Gajabaladhyksha during Prataprudra's period.
During Kakatiya period in the army, there were two types of military, first type was called the Moolabalam (main force) or Sthirabalam (standing army), second type was subordinate army. The main force or the Moolabalam was under the direct control and maintenance of the king or the officials appointed by him. Such officials were those mentioned earlier like Gaja sahini and Ashwa sahini. Along with army strength, Kakatiyas gave importance to forts also in the protection of the kingdom. In those days Vana, Giri, Sthala, and Jala forts existed. Neetisaram explains the importance of the forts protection. Prushartha saram also explains the importance of forts. Probably officers to these forts might have been appointed. Fighting ferociously and heroically with the army of the Delhi Sultans is the ample proof of the Kakatiyas armies' strength and valor.
Judicial System
Kakatiya rulers followed the judicial code which was in existence in the South India since ages. Some inscriptions explain different types of legal disputes. For example an inscription from Duggirala in Guntur district belonging to the Ganapatideva's period A.D.1214 describes the dispute of village boundaries. After conquering Velanadu, Ganapatideva was camping in that region, the people of Poondi, Mormapoondi, and Eevani villages requested the king to solve their boundary dispute. Then Ganapatideva ordered his ministers Mallavaraju and Rudraraju to solve the dispute. Then the ministers heard the arguments of the people from three villages, and asked the opinion of the Mahajanas. Sooravaraju of Evani village (probably Karanam of that village) was selected, as he had clear understanding of the boundaries. So they made use of his experience and fixing the boundaries solved the problem. Mahajanas and Karanams are recognized as a judicious person is known from this inscription. The judicial meeting held outside the capital city, in a village in the presence of ministers, can be called as Aprathisthista sabha according to Parabrahma sastry.
In the similar way inscription of Ganapatideva's period, A.D.1246 from Karimnagar (IAPKM Appendix, P.V.P Sastry Telugu, p182) mentions the dispute between the two villages over the village tank. In the 'Nedhapur' village rights over the water canal is the dispute. The local officials of that place, Ravidattu, Nathadeva and Hingadeva explained the dispute to Ganapatideva. Ganapatideva gave the responsibility of resolving the dispute to Manchiraju who was the minister of Jayapa senani. Manchiraju visited the village. He discussed with the Mahajanas and elders of the villages Chamanapally, Kummarikunta, Devanapally, and Katlakolapally, which are also related to the dispute. Then he submitted the report to the king Ganapatideva. Ganapatideva discussed the matter with the representative of that area, Akshoyadeva. Discussing the issue from all angles, finally he ordered that his Judgment may be informed to the People and the local officials. The people were not happy with the judgment of the emperor, accepted the judgment of the Akshayadeva. Being satisfied by this, Ganapatideva engraved the judgment on the copper plates and executed it. He declared that, on the rights over the canal, the Mahajanas of Chamanapally had the over all rights, other villages do not have right over the water in the canal. The above two judgments reveal us how righteous were the judgments in those days. Here the emperor himself gave the judgment; Parabrahma Sastry calls this as Shashita Aprathisthita Sabha. During the Kakatiya period in giving judgments the opinion of the villagers was given more importance.
Social Conditions
Kakatiyas belong to the early medieval period. Before we discuss about the social conditions of that period, we must remember that the influence of religion was more on society during that period. The changes and upheavals in the religion had a lot influence on the society. The relations and associations of different classes of people, their place in the society, the social distance among the various classes, in all these aspects, the ideals of the society have been influenced by religion. Another character seen in the medieval period is, along with the four Vamas, many castes and sub-castes have emerged. Sub-castes were formed on the basis of the occupation. Many occupations were required to fulfill the social needs. The hereditary occupations became the castes. To every caste there were rules and restrictions. To regulate these rules there formed the caste associations known as 'Kula Samayas'. These Kula Samayas had tremendous influence on the life of the castes of that Samaya. The friction developed between the Saiva, Vaishnava and Jaina religious sects, created disunity in the society and acted as obstruction for the unity of various groups.
Caste System
Before we discuss the social system of the period, we must know exactly to which caste Kakatiyas belonged to. After achieving political power, Kakatiyas declared themselves as Kshetrtyas. The Cholas and Chalukyas declared themselves as Kshetrtyas, but many ruling families in Andhra region proudly declared them selves as belonging to the fourth caste ie.. Chaturtha kulajas, but never said that they were Kshetrtyas, nor they tried to tell that they have relations with the Kshetrtyas. Kakatiyas also till Ganapatideva's period never came forward to tell that they were Kshetrtyas. Ganapatideva after he became a great conqueror, with his dareness and boldness winning many kingdoms, becoming the emperor, by uniting the whole Andhradesh politically he declared himself as Kshettya. But there is no Kshettrya caste in south India as accepted by the historians and sociologists. Kakatiyas did not mention clearly about their caste. In the Ganapatideva's inscriptions they were mentioned as Suryavamsha (Solar) Kshetrtyas, Vidyanatha wrote that Prataparudra's dynasty excelled that of Surya (Solar) and Chandra (lunar) vamsha Kshetrtyas.
During the Kakatiya period the society was in a transition phase. There were severe religious conflicts, class wars and fights in the social system. Those were the days of socio religious jealousy clouding over the society. Various classes tried to increase their influence in the political economical and cultural fields. As per Prataparudra charitra For example when Prataprudra donated golden Cows to some learned Brahmins, some Brahmins who did not receive gold cows instigated some chandalas to agitate, those to get the dead cows. Similarly the Visva Brahmins, Saiva Brahmins and Vaidiki Brahmins fought among themselves in the presence of the king to say that they have sole authority over Astrology and tried to prove that they are superior. Poetess Molla, who belonged to the fourth caste, wrote Ramayana and tried to dedicate her work to king Prataprudra, which was obstructed by Brahmins. They came forward to read Bhaskara Ramayana rather than Molla Ramayan. In a helpless condition Prataparudra simply honoured Molla without taking the dedication of the work. In those days the Bhakti movement reached an extreme state that, one Chakrapani Ranganatha a vaisnava preacher got himself blinded, to avoid seeing the Tripuranthakam (Saiva) temple gopuram. Veera Saiva preacher Palkuriki Somanatha, abused the Vaidiki Brahmins as karma chandalas, vrata bhrasthas and Pashukaras, and to vaisnavas he called them as 'Namala Kukkalu' (dogs of Namas). Jaina and Buddhism should be destroyed. Pratapa Charitram and Siddeshwara Charitram inform that clashes took place between Veerasatva scholars and Jaina, and Buddhist scholars. Against this attitured, as the above mentioned differences but there was extreme tolerance shown by some one like Swamy Dandanayaka and Bekkallu Malliroddy, who called themselves as 'Chatussamaya summuddaranalu'. Against the extreme Saiva and Vaisnava attitude, Poet Tikkana Somayaji preached Harihara tatvamu (combination of Vaisnava and Saiva philosophy).
Above mentioned religious intolerance obstructed the social unity and also influenced the contemporary Socio-political systems. Kakatiya rulers appointed people of all castes in the government services. In the moolabalam (main army) and also Nayankara (sub-ordinate) army, also importance is given to all communities as much as possible. Prataparudra had given more importance to Velamas, feeling bad on this and to make Prataprudra realize this, in one of wars Terala Bhoj reddy, along with his followers left the war. In such war situation, they must protect the king and kingdom by this they can enhance their importance. But their aim did not fulfill and they lost both the king and the kingdom like this we see there were no peace in the society and the unrest added to the down fall of the Kakatiya kingdom. This social unrest due to the caste conflicts led to the establishment of Bahamani kingdom after the down fall of the Kakatiyas.
The uniqueness of the society during Kakatiya period was caste associations. These are known as 'Samayas'. The Brahmin Samaya is known as 'Mahajanas' and the Vaishya Samayas are known as 'Nakara'. 'Sanimunnuru', 'Telikivepuru' and 'Panchanam' were some other samayas. In the inscription mention of 'Uru' (village) samayas and 'Sthala' (local) shows that the samayas were at different levels. These Samayas had special powers. They safeguarded and collected taxes, resolve disputes'etc... of the people of that caste. The 10th and 11th century inscriptions mention Ashtadash (eighteen samyas) in the society. Among the Brahmins along the Vaidiki (ritualistic) some were seen in the government services also. During this period the political importance of Brahmins had come down and the prominence of fourth caste increased. The fourth caste enhanced their social respect and raised their social hierarchy, the ruling class made matrimonial relations with the influential people. The caste system was not strong and rigid. Bad habits had increased in all castes. Child marriages, Varasulka, forced widowhood and Sati sahagamanam were seen frequently. Common people are far away from education. Drinking, Playing, Cockfights and Bull fights were common.
Kakatiya Administrative Structure – Quick Glance
| Level / System | Key Features | Important Officials / Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Central | King, council of ministers, 72 Niyogas, Saptanga | Mahapradhani, Niyogadhipati, Bahattar Niyogadhipati |
| Regional | Rastra, Sthala, Seema, Nadu, Bhumi, Garma | Mandalikas, feudatories |
| Village | Ayyagar system (12 officers) | Karanam, Reddy, Talari, Purohita, Kammari, etc. |
| Military | Nayankara system, forts (4 types) | Nayakas, Gaja sahini, Ashwa sahini, Moolabalam |
| Judicial | Local disputes, Mahajanas, Karanams | Aprathisthista sabha, Shashita Aprathisthita Sabha |
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⚡ Quick Review
- Capital: Orugallu (Warangal) – rule 1163–1323 CE.
- Administration: Decentralised; Mandala system; 72 Niyogas; council of ministers; Saptanga.
- Nayankara system: Land to military officials (Nayakas) → precursor to Vijayanagara Amara Nayaka system.
- Army: 100 elephants, 20,000 horses, 9 lakh foot soldiers (Prataparudra); forts – Sthala, Jala, Vana, Giri.
- Judicial: Aprathisthista & Shashita Aprathisthita Sabha; village elders’ opinion valued.
- Society: Caste conflicts, Kula Samayas, Bhakti movement, Molla Ramayana, Harihara tatvamu.
- Key rulers: Ganapatideva, Rudramadevi, Prataparudra.
- Decline: Social unrest + Muslim invasions → Bahamani kingdom.
📌 Note: Kakatiya administration was most accepted as a decentralised system with strong feudatory integration.
Kakatiya Dynasty – History & Administration | Telangana Culture
