Rudrama Devi – Warrior Queen Of The Kakatiya Dynasty And First Female Ruler Of South India

Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - Many people have fought and sacrificed their lives for independence.  Some of them are forgotten, while others have become a symbol of freedom and independence. An outstanding woman in the history of ancient India was Rudrama Devi, a warrior queen of the Kakatiya Dynasty.

Statue of Rani Rudrama Devi. Credit: Satishk01 - CC BY-SA 4.0

Queen Rudrama Devi reigned between 1262 and 1289. She became famous mainly because she was the first female ruler to ascend the throne in South India, and by doing so, she opened a new chapter in the history of India. Her life and achievements served as an inspiration to many.

The Southern Indian Kakatiya Dynasty lasted from about 1163 to 1323, and their rulers traced their ancestry to Durjaya, a legendary chieftain of the Andhra kingdom. The dynasty's capital was Orugallu, now known as Warangal, the second-largest city in Telangana. Having replaced the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, the Kakatiyas established a powerful presence in the region, leading to their control of large parts of the eastern Deccan region.  At its height, the Kakatiya Dynasty ruled over present-day Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of east Karnataka and southern Odisha.

There is slightly contradicting information regarding the rule of Rani Rudrama Devi. She ascended the throne in 1259 A.D., but it seems her father, Ganapati Deva, continued to rule over his kingdom for the next ten years. Being a woman, it was not easy for Rudrama Devi to be accepted as ruler of the Kakatiya Dynasty. However, she was undoubtedly worthy of a monarch's title and responsibilities.

At age 15, Rudrama Devi showed she had what it took to become a ruler. She was interested in politics and familiar with foreign places and the arts of warfare. She could ride horses, fight with swords and other weapons, and receive proper warrior training. On top of this, Rudrama Devi was also an intelligent and beautiful young woman who could read, write, dance, and understand the value of art and culture. What more could her father ask for when finding a successor to the throne?

Queen Rudrama Devi inspired many people. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

His decision to enthrone his daughter Rudrama Devi as his successor was courageous but also unorthodox. However, one should remember that Ganapati Deva did not have any sons, and appointing Rudrama Devi as the Queen of his kingdom was a logical choice, even if many disapproved of his decision.

Queen Rudrama Devi's strength, determination, and promotion of a male image as a monarch made her reign easier. She was also wise enough to recruit warriors who were not aristocratic, granting them rights over land tax revenue in return for their support. By doing so, she became popular with the public.

Ancient Inscriptions Mentioning Queen Rudrama Devi

The Kakatiyas left a great legacy behind them, and the land where they were present "is strewn with their inscriptions and cultural remains." 1. Just recently, five rare  Kakatiya sculptures were discovered near a temple in Telangana.

"Queen Rudrama Devi is mentioned in one of the numerous inscriptions at Uma Maheswaram. This record stated that one Ramayyangar, account of the Queens's treasury, built several temples and Mathas for the Siava devotees. His wife Malasami also shared in this pious enterprise." ¹

Rani Rudrama Statue in Chandupatla Village. Credit: Credit: Satishk01 - CC BY-SA 4.0

Her name also appears on the Potugallu inscription of Karimnagar dated 1235 A.D and the Yeleshwar inscription of 1246 A.D.

Queen Rudrama Devi's marriage to Virabhadra, son of King Indushekhara of Nidadavolu, in 1235 A.D. was most likely a political arrangement designed by her father to forge alliances. The couple had two daughters named Mummadamba and Ruyamma, both adopted. Virabhadra died at a young age in battle.

Queen Rudrama Devi's reign was challenging because of internal revolts by those unwilling to submit to a woman's authority. While she was visiting a temple called Mogilicharla with her daughter, rebels attacked the fort and tried to occupy it by force. Then, there were external military problems Queen Rudrama Devi had to deal with. The greatest threat came from the west and Mahadeva, a ruler of the Seuna dynasty of the Deccan region, who attacked neighboring kingdoms. When Mahadeva invaded the Kakatiya kingdom and captured the capital Warangal, Queen Rudrama Devi did all she could to defend her kingdom. She courageously resisted and fought King Mahadeva for 15 days until she defeated him.

Some scholars suggest Rudrama Devi may have died in 1289 while fighting Ambadeva, while others think she passed away 12 years earlier. However, the Chandupatla inscription found in the Nalgonda district of Telangana dated 27th November 1289 A.D. may be related to her death.

Queen Rudrama Devi was succeeded by Prataparudra, a son of one of her daughters, who inherited a kingdom.

Though Queen Rudrama Devi fought and died for her motherland as a true patriot, she was not the only woman who sacrificed her life for her country. History rarely remembers little-known people, but as D.V. Pasupuleti wisely writes in the book A Tribute to Motherland, "there were many women in Indian villages who sacrificed everything they had for the protection and welfare of the villagers. These sacrifiers are deified and worshipped as the village protectors and goddesses by the villagers. People celebrate their birthdays annually with fireworks and decorations. It is just a glimpse of what Indian culture used to be, where tyaagam ran in the blood of many Hindus.

Even today, you see parents in every house, street, town, or city in India who sacrifice many things and pleasures in their lives in order to provide better education and better lives for their children. It is almost like taking it for granted this type of sacrifice among parents in India unlike in Western cultures the children are on their own when they reach eighteen years of age." ²

Let us remember and give Queen Rudrama Devi the respect and admiration she deserves, but let us not forget those whose names will never appear in history books or movies.

Written by Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com

Updated on January 28, 2023

Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com