Ganapati (Kakatiya dynasty)

{{Short description|Kakatiya emperor from 1199 to 1262}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox royalty | name = Ganapati | image = Warangal_fort.jpg | title = Sakala-desha-pratishthapanacharya | succession = [[Kakatiya dynasty|Kakatiya]] ruler | reign = {{circa|1199–1262}} | predecessor = [[Mahadeva (Kakatiya dynasty)|Mahadeva]] | successor = [[Rudrama Devi|Rudrama-devi]] | dynasty = [[Kakatiya dynasty|Kakatiya]] | father = Maha-deva }}

'''Ganapati-deva''' (r. {{circa|1199–1262}}) was the longest reigning monarch of the [[Kakatiya dynasty]] of southern India. He brought most of the [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-speaking region in present-day [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Telangana]] under the Kakatiya influence by war or diplomacy.

Ganapati's father [[Mahadeva (Kakatiya dynasty)|Mahadeva]] was killed in a conflict against the [[Seuna (Yadava) dynasty|Seuna (Yadava)]] kingdom in 1198–1199, and Ganapati remained in Yadava captivity for some time. The Kakatiya commander [[Recherla Rudra]] administered the kingdom in Ganapati's name during this period, protecting it against invaders and rebels.

After his release in 1199, Ganapati consolidated his rule over the kingdom, and conquered the [[Coastal Andhra]] region in a series of campaigns. He also fought with the [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Eastern Gangas]] for the control of the southern [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] and [[Vengi]] regions: these campaigns had mixed results, with Kakatiya control limited to the south of the [[Godavari River]]. Ganapati supported the [[Nellore Chodas|Nellore Choda]] chiefs Tikka and his son Manuma-siddhi II against rival claimants to the throne of Nellore. Towards the end of his reign, he suffered setbacks against the [[Pandyas]], and retired after appointing his daughter [[Rudrama Devi|Rudrama]] as his successor.

== Early life ==

Ganapati was a son of his predecessor [[Mahadeva (Kakatiya dynasty)|Mahadeva]], who died during an invasion of the [[Seuna (Yadava) dynasty|Seuna (Yadava)]] kingdom. The Yadavas captured Ganapati, and during his captivity, the Kakatiya kingdom suffered from revolts and invasions.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=599}}

During Ganapati's captivity, [[Recherla Rudra|Rudra]] of [[Recherla Reddis|Recherla Reddi]] family – the commander-in-chief of the Kakatiya army – appears to have handled the administration in Ganapati's name, as suggested by his titles ''Kakatiya-rajya-bhara-dhaureya'' and ''Kakati-rajya-samartha''. Epigraphic evidence suggests that Rudra suppressed rebellions by feudatories, and repulsed invasion by an obscure king named Nagati.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=600}} According to some scholars, such as [[Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma|M. Somasekhara Sarma]], Rudra also repulsed an invasion by the [[Later Cholas|Chola]] king [[Kulothunga Chola III|Kulottunga III]].{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=600}} Others, such as [[P. V. Parabrahma Sastry|P.V.P. Sastry]] dispute this in absence of concrete evidence.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=106}}

=== Release from Yadava captivity ===

The 26 December 1199 Manthena inscription describes the Ganapati-deva as "the establisher of all the kingdom" (''sakala-desha-pratishthapanacharya''), which suggests that he had been released from the Yadava captivity by this time and had consolidated his control over his ancestral kingdom.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=106}} It is not clear why the Yadavas released him. The Yadava inscriptions claim that king [[Jaitrapala]] released him out of compassion. It is possible that the Yadavas wanted to secure their eastern border by mainitaning good relations with the Kakatiyas, since they were involved in a conflict with the [[Hoysalas]] at their southern border.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=600}}

The later text ''Pratapa-charita'' states that Ganapati was offered in marriage to the daughter of the Yadava king. Historian [[P. V. Parabrahma Sastry|P.V.P. Sastry]] doubts this, because according to the contemporary [[Bayyaram]] tank inscription, Mahadeva had arranged the marriage of his children Ganapati and Mailamba, and this event must have happened before the military campaign that resulted in Mahadeva's death.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=107}} According to Chintaluru copper plates Ganapatideva married Seuna princess Somaladevi, a daughter of Jaitugi.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

== Reign ==

After being released from the Yadava captivity, Ganapati consolidated his rule with support of loyal commanders, such as the [[Recherla Reddis|Recherla Reddi]] chief [[Recherla Rudra|Rudra]] and the Malyala chief Chaunda.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=211}} The political chaos that followed the decline of the [[Chalukyas of Kalyani|Kalyani Chalukya]] and the [[Later Cholas|Chola]] empires worked in his favour.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=600}}

=== Coastal Andhra campaign === The inscriptions of Ganapati's uncle [[Rudradeva|Rudra-deva]] have been found at [[Draksharamam]] and [[Tripurantakam]] in the [[coastal Andhra]] region, but the Kakatiyas had lost control of this region by the time of Ganapati's ascension. In the early years of Ganapati's reign, the Kakatiya army invaded coastal Andhra.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=211–212}}

The [[Velanati Chodas]] controlled the [[Velanadu|Vela-nadu]] area in the coastal Andhra region, although their power had declined considerably after the death of Choda II around 1181.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=601}} Prithvishvara, the grandson of Choda II,{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=602}} moved his capital from Chandavolu to [[Pithapuram]], and started re-asserting the Velanti Choda power in the [[Krishna River|Krishna]] delta region. The Kakatiyas conquered this region by 1201, as attested by the 1201 CE [[Kanaka Durga Temple|Kanaka-durga temple]] inscription issued by Ganapati's brother-in-law, the [[Natavadi]] chief Vakkadi-malla Rudra.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=107}}{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=212}}

The [[Kota Vamsa|Kota]] chiefs of [[Dharanikota]] re-affirmed their acceptance of the Kakatiya suzerainty.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=107}}

The Kakatiya army led by the Malayala chief Chaunda marched to the Divi island in the Krishna River delta. Pinni Chodi (or Pina Chodi), a chief of the Ayya family, controlled this island, probably as a subordinates of Prithvishvara. The 1203 CE Kondaparti inscription and another 1241 CE inscription, issued by Chaunda and his son Kata respectively, provide some information about this campaign. According to these inscriptions, the father-son duo enriched Ganapati's treasury with diamonds plundered from the island. Ganapati conferred the title ''Dvipi-luntaka'' ("plunderer of the island") on Chaunda, and ''Dvipi-churakara'' on Kata. The Ayya chiefs accepted Ganapati's suzerainty, and Ganapati allowed them to retain control of the island. Naramba and Peramba, the two daughters of Pinni Chodi married Ganapati. Their brother [[Jayapa Senani|Jayapa]] (or Jaya) entered Ganapati's service as a commander (''[[senapati]]'' or ''senani''), as attested by his 1231 CE Ganapeshvaram inscription.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=212}}{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|pp=107–108}}

Epigraphic evidence suggests that Prithvishvara's authority was limited to a small part of [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]], as suggested by his inscriptions from Draksharamam and [[Sri Kurmam|Srikurmam]]. He probably fought against the Kakatiya subordinates in an attempt to re-establish his control over the Vela-nadu region, and died during this campaign. This event probably happened sometime in 1206 CE, the date of the Srikurmam inscription of his chief treasurer Ananta, which is the last surviving inscription from his reign. Some inscriptions describe Ganapati as ''Prithvishvara-shirah-kanduka-krida-vinoda'' ("the player of the ball that was the head of Prithvishvara"). Multiple chiefs, who were probably Kakatiya subordinates or allies, also claimed this title. These include the [[Nellore Chodas|Nellore Choda]] chief Tikka-bhupala, the Seuna Yadava chief Vishvanatha, and the ''Maha-mandaleshvara'' Ballaya of Chola family (probably of [[Kammanadu|Kamma-nadu]]). All these chiefs probably participated in the battle that resulted in the death of Prithvishvara.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=212}}{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=603}}

By 1209, Ganapati had annexed the Vela-nadu and the Karmma-rashtra (Kamma-nadu) regions to his kingdom, as attested by the 1209 CE Chenna-keshava temple (Idupulapadu near [[Bapatla]]) inscription. Ganapati appointed Jayapa as the governor of the Vela-nadu region, as attested by his 1213 CE [[Chebrolu, Guntur district|Chebrolu]] inscription. The appointment possibly happened earlier, but this is not certain, as Jayapa's Chandavolu inscription is partially built in a wall, rendering its date unreadable.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=108}}

The chiefs of Kamma-nadu region, most probably the [[Telugu Chodas]] of Koni-dena appear to have asserted independence. Ganapati's loyal subordinate – Opili Siddhi – a member of the Potapi branch of the Telugu Chodas, subjugated the rebels. Ganapati made him the governor of the former rebel territory as a reward. Epigraphic evidence suggests that the Chakra-narayana chiefs of [[Addanki]] accepted Ganapati's suzerainty around the same time, before 1217–1218.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=607}}

=== First southern campaign ===

The 1213 CE [[Chebrolu, Guntur district|Chebrolu]] inscription of [[Jayapa Senani|Jayapa]] refers to Ganapati's military campaign against the southern kings.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=212}} It states that upon his return from this campaign, Ganapati conferred the lordship of the southern region to Jayapa.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=109}}

These southern kings were most probably the [[Nellore Chodas|Nellore Choda]] chiefs, who were [[Later Cholas|Chola]] vassals. Earlier, around 1180 CE, the Chola king [[Kulothunga Chola III|Kulottunga III]] had defeated the Choda ruler Manuma-siddhi I (alias Vira-Ganda-Gopala) and installed the latter's brother Nalla-siddhi on the throne. Nalla-siddhi and his younger brother Tammu-siddhi ruled as Chola vassals till 1207–1208.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=212}} Manuma-siddhi I's son Tikka (or Takka), who had earlier helped Ganapati against Prithvishvara, sought Ganapati's help to claim the throne of Nellore. Ganapati marched to Nellore, forced Tammu-siddhi to flee, and installed Tikka on the throne as Tikka-''bhupala''.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=212}} Tikka later also appeased Kulottunga III by acknowledging his suzerainty.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=604}}

Ganapati's 1228 CE Mattevada inscription states that he plundered the Chola capital (probably [[Kanchi]], which was an alternate capital of the Nellore chief).{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=212–213}}{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=603}} The 1231 CE Ganapeshvaram inscription of Jayapa states that he subdued several countries including Chola, [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]], [[Seuna]], [[Hoysala|Brihat-Karnata]], and [[Lata (region)|Lata]]; he also annexed Vela-nadu and Dvipa (Divi).{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=213}}{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=605}} It appears that Tikka faced invasion from rulers or chiefs belonging to these countries, and Ganapati helped Tikka repulse their invasion.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=605}}

Tikka appointed Gangaya-sahini, who eventually entered Ganapati's service, as the governor of Upper [[Pakanadu|Paka-nadu]] region within his kingdom.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=605}} Tikka later repulsed [[Hoysala]] invasions: since Tikka was a minor chief, historian [[Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma|M. Somasekhara Sarma]] speculates that Ganapati assisted him in this conflict; however, there is no direct evidence of this.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=605}}

=== Kalinga and Vengi ===

After the death of Prithvishvara, Ganapati sent his armies, led by Soma and Raja-nayaka, to the [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] region to consolidate his control over Prithvishvara's former territories. Soma (or Somaya), who held the position of ''pradhani'' or ''mantri'' (minister) belonged to the Induluri family. Raja-nayaka was a subordinate to [[Recherla Rudra|Rudra]] of the [[Recherla Reddis|Recherla Reddi]] family.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=109}}{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=213–214}}

Raja-nayaka appears to have achieved successes in the area to the north-east of the core Kakatiya territory, sometime before 1212 CE.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|pp=606–607}} His 1236 CE Upparapalli inscription credits him with the following victories:{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=213}}{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|pp=109–110}}{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=606}}

* Subjugated the rulers of the Manniyas (whose territory was located around the borders of present-day [[Telangana]], [[Chhattisgarh]], and [[Odisha]]) * Achieved a victory at Bokkera (near [[Asika|Aska]]), where he killed a famous warrior chief titled Godhumarati: this chief may be same as Vairi-Godhu-magharatta, who was killed by Japa ''senapati'' according to the latter's Ganapeshvaram inscription * Captured Udayagiri (in former [[Pedda Khimedi]] region) and forced Padiya-raya (or Padi-raya) to flee

After his successes in Kalinga, Raja-nayaka marched to [[Draksharamam]], and made a gift for maintaining the perpetual lamps to the god [[Bhimeswara Swamy Temple|Bhimeshvara]] in 1212 CE. The rulers subjugated by Raja-nayaka were probably subordinates of the [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Eastern Ganga]] king Rajaraja III. The Kakatiya control over their territories did not last long, and they soon declared independence or accepted the Ganga suzerainty.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=213}}

==== Conflict with the Eastern Gangas ====

Ganapati conducted his military campaigns in the Kalinga and the Vengi regions over several years.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=606}} His Ganapeshvaram, Upparapalli, and Moupalli inscriptions suggest that he made several attempts to subjugate Kalinga and Vengi from 1212 CE onwards.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=112}}

Sometime before 1217 CE, [[Anangabhima Deva III|Ananga Bhima III]], the successor of the [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Eastern Ganga]] king Rajaraja III, expelled Kakatiya forces from Kalinga.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=607}} Ananga Bhima III established his control over the [[Trikalinga]] or Trayi-vasundhara region, as attested by his 1217–1218 Bhimeshvara temple inscription.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=111}} By 1230 CE, the Eastern Ganga forces had arrived at [[Draksharamam]], where their commander Jesrajaka commissioned repairs to the Bhimeshvara temple.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|pp=607–608}}

Ananga Bhima III also invaded [[Vengi]], where petty chiefs, such as the Chalukyas of [[Pithapuram]] and the Manniyas accepted his suzerainty. Ganapati sent an army led by Soma to the [[Godavari River|Godavari]] delta region.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=213}} Soma (or Somaya) held the position of ''pradhani'' or ''mantri'' (minister), and belonged to the Induluri family.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=109}}{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=213–214}} ''Shiva-yoga-sara'', a 15th-century text written by a descendant of Soma, states that Soma:{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|pp=110–111}}{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=605}}

* Captured Gogula-nadu and Kolani-vidu (Kolanu, also called Sarasi-puri or Kamala-kara-puri) * Crossed the Godavari River, and captured the two Madiyas and the twelve Manniyas * Occupied the land of Kalinga-sima (the Kalinga border)

Kolanu or Sarasi-puri, likely present-day Saripalle in West Godavari district, was under the control of ''Maha-mandaleshvara'' Kolani Keshava-deva during 1192–1128 CE. Epigraphic evidence attests to Eastern Ganga presence in this region: Keshava-deva may have received military assistance from Ananga Bhima III or may have accepted his suzerainty. The Kakatiya general Soma probably conquered this region after the death of Keshava-deva and the retreat of the Ganga forces: Ganapati made him the governor of the conquered territory, and he came to be known as Kolani Soma.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|pp=111–112}} A 1231 CE Paleshvara temple ([[Iragavaram]]) inscription confirms the Kakatiya conquest of Kolanu in Vengi region in that year.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=213–214}}

Historian [[Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma|M. Somasekhara Sarma]] speculates that Bhima – the [[Telugu Chodas|Telugu Choda]] chief of Eruva, also participated in Ganapati's campaign. The later 1322–1333 CE [[Tallaproddatur|Talla-Prodduturu]] inscription credits Bhima with victories in several places in and around Kalinga, and it is likely that a minor chief like him achieved these victories as a subordinate or an ally or a stronger ruler.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=606}} According to historian [[P. V. Parabrahma Sastry|P.V.P. Sastry]], Bhima achieved these victories before Ganapati's time, as a [[Chalukyas of Kalyani|Kalyani Chalukya]] subordinate.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=603}}

The Kakatiyas seem to have regained control of Draksharamam, as attested by a 1237 CE inscription of the Kakatiya general Mallala Hemadri Reddi at the local temple.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=112}} Hemadri Reddi forced the Velanati chief Gonka to flee.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=608}} However, there is no evidence that the Kakatiyas controlled any part of Kalinga beyond Draksharamam.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=213–214}}

Ganapati probably tried to secure the political allegiance of the Chalukyas of [[Nidadavolu]] by marrying his daughter Rudrama to the Chalukya prince Virabhadra.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=112}}

Ananga Bhima III's son and successor [[Narasingha Deva I|Narasimha I]], who ascended the throne in 1238 CE, invaded the Godavari region. However, the Kakatiyas continued to control this region until the end of the dynasty.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=214}}

According to the Telugu-language text ''Vallabhabhyudayam'', Narasimha sent an army led by his foster brother ''Danda-nayaka'' Ananta-pala to Kanchi. Ananta-pala halted at Srikakolanu, where he erected a temple dedicated to the god Telugu Vallabha (Andhra Vishnu). He then achieved a victory at Kanchi, and extracted tribute from the local ruler. The veracity of this account is uncertain.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=608}}

The 1257 CE Nandaluru inscription of the Telugu Choda king Manuma-siddhi II refers to the Kalinga expedition of the Kakatiyas, which was probably aimed at repulsing Narasimha's invasion.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=112}} It states that he allied with Ganapati to fight against the Kalingas on the banks of the Godavari river,{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=609}} and then crossed the River while chasing the Kalinga king. This must have happened some time after Manuma-siddhi's ascension in 1248. The Kakatiya control was likely limited to the south of the Godavari River.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=112}} Epigraphic evidence suggests that Ganapati's subordinate Padikamu Boppa-deva of Chalukyan family, who held the titles ''patta-sahini'' and ''sakala-senadhipati'', killed a prince named Godavari Gonturi Naga-deva. This incident may have happened during the Kakatiya-Kalinga battle on the banks of the Godavari.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=609}}

=== Second southern expedition ===

In 1248, Ganapati's [[Nellore Chodas|Nellore Choda]] vassal Tikka died. His son and successor Manuma-siddhi II faced multiple challenges to his authority:{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|pp=112–113}}

* [[Vijaya Gandagopala|Vijaya-Ganda-Gopala]], who claimed to be a scion of the Telugu Choda family, captured the northern part of present-day Tamil Nadu (former [[Chingleput District (Madras Presidency)|Chingleput]] and [[North Arcot]] districts). He entered into an alliance with the rulers of the neighbouring Dravida and Karnata kingdoms.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|pp=112–113}} The Dravida king was the Chola king, probably Rajaraja III or his co-regent Rajendra III; the Karnata king was Vira Someshvara.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=609}} * Bayyana and Tikkana, two ''Padihari''s, rebelled against Manuma-siddhi II, forcing him to flee his capital.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=610}} * The Vaidumba chief Tikkaras Ganga alias Rakkasa Ganga defeated Manuma-siddhi II's commander Gangaya-sahini, and captured the Pakanadu region (a part of the Cuddapah district).{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=214}} His ally, the Telugu Chola chief of Jagatapi Gutti (modern [[Gooty]]), claimed to have plundered "the entire property of Gandapendera Gangaya Sahini".{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=611}}

After losing control of his kingdom, Manuma-siddhi II sent the poet [[Tikkana]] as an emissary to Ganapati's court. Ganapati sent an army led by ''Samanta'' Bhoja in Manuma-siddhi II's support.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=113}}

The undated Nayanipalli (Guntur district) inscription states that the Kakatiya army burnt Nellore, and played a game of ball with the heads of the rebels Bayyana and Tikkana. The inscription also states that the army entered the [[Tamil Nadu|Dravida-mandala]], and captured the capital of Kulottunga Rajendra Choda. The captured city was probably Kanchi, the capital of the Chola king [[Rajendra Chola III|Rajendra III]]. In 1250 CE, Bhoja's army achieved a decisive victory at [[Pazhayarai|Palaiyaru]], defeating the combined army of Dravida, [[Hoysalas|Karnataka]], and Vijaya-Ganda-Gopala. Manuma-siddhi regained control of Nellore, but Vijaya-Ganda-Gopala continued to rule Kanchi, as attested by his inscriptions there until 1282.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=113}}

The Kakatiya army then defeated the Vaidumba chief Rakkasa Ganga, and Manuma-siddhi II regained control of Pottapi-nadu, the territory he had earlier lost to Rakkasa Ganga. Although the Kakatiya army played an important role in this victory, Manuma-siddhi II's court poet Tikkana gives the entire credit to his master. Gangaya-sahini, who had earlier lost to Rakkasa Ganga, entered Ganapati's service. Ganapati granted the Marjavadi region captured from Rakkasa Ganga to Gangaya-sahini as a family estate.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=114}}

According to a 1254 CE inscription of Kalapa Nayaka, the Kakatiya governor of Vengi, he was the saviour of Kulottunga Rajendra Choda. This suggests that Rajendra may have accepted Kakatiya supremacy.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=608}}

=== Relation with the Yadavas ===

Ganapati generally maintained friendly relations with the [[Seuna (Yadava) dynasty|Seunas (Yadavas)]]. The Yadava chief Vishvanatha appears to have participated in the Kakatiya campaign against Prithvishvara, as attested by his title ''Prithvishvara-shirah-kanduka-krida-vinoda''. The Yadava prince Permadi-deva, a son of Simhana, was a subordinate of Ganapati, as attested by the 1159 CE Peruru inscription which records his gifts of lands to [[brahmin|brahmanas]]. Some Yadava (or Arya) chiefs also assisted Ganapati in his southern campaign against the Pandyas.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=215}}{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=114}}

Some Kakatiya inscriptions claim that Ganapati defeated the Yadavas. One inscription states that Ganapati conquered Sevana, identified with the Yadava king [[Simhana]]. Another inscription describes Ganapati as a terror to Simhana, and states that he defeated Simhana at a battle near Kurumalur, supported by the [[Telugu Chodas|Telugu Choda]] chief. Both Kakatiya and Seuna inscriptions dated 1250 CE have been found at Eleshvaram (near [[Devarakonda]]), suggesting that the kingdoms fought indecisive battles over this area.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=216}}

=== Conflict with the Pandyas ===

Around 1257 CE, the Pandya king [[Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I|Jata-varman Sundara I]] subjugated the [[Later Cholas|Chola]] king [[Rajendra Chola III|Rajendra III]], [[Vijaya Gandagopala|Vijaya-Ganda-Gopala]] of Kanchi, and the [[Kadava]] chief [[Kopperunchinga I|Kopperunijinga]]. With the help of these new vassals, he then attacked the kingdom of the [[Nellore Chodas|Nellore Choda]] ruler Manuma-siddhi II of Nellore. Manuma-siddhi II sought help from the Kakatiya, the [[Seuna (Yadava) dynasty|Seuna (Yadava)]], and the [[Bana kingdom|Bana]] rulers.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|pp=114–115}}

The Pandya allies appear to have invaded the Kakatiya territory, as suggested by [[Tripuranthakam|Tripurantakam]] inscriptions of Rajendra III and Kopperunijinga. Apparently in an attempt to form alliance with the king of Kalinga, Kopperunijinga advanced as far as [[Draksharamam]] in the north, but Ganapati defeated him.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=115}} He appears to have acknowledged Ganapati's suzerainty;{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=613}} Ganapati later honoured him with ''vira-pada-mudra'' ("presentation of the anklet of the heroes"), possibly to cause a split in the Pandya camp.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=115}}

The Pandya records suggest that Ganapati suffered setbacks against them towards the end of his reign. While the Kakatiya army was still campaigning against Kopperunchinga, the main Pandyan army – led by Jatavarman Sundara I, Bhuvanaika-vira Vikrama, and Jatavarman Vira – marched towards Nellore.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=613}} The Pandyas captured Nellore, and killed Manuma-siddhi II in the Battle of [[Muthukur|Muttukuru]] in 1263 CE.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=215–216}} The brothers of Manuma-siddhi II accepted the Pandya suzerainty, agreeing to rule Nellore as Pandya vassals,{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=614}} although epigraphic evidence suggests that other Pandya vassals controlled the area shortly after.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=624}}

The Pandya army also achieved successes against his allies: the Kakatiyas, the Seunas, and the Banas. The Pandya records claim that the dead bodies of the Kakatiya and Seuna soldiers lay all over the land, as far as the banks of Peraru, while the Banas fled to the jungle.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=613}} The Pandya king Jata-varman Sundara celebrated ''virabhisheka'' (anointment) of his conquest over Nellore and Kanchi. He also issued coins bearing the Kakatiya emblem of [[varaha]] (boar) on the obverse, and the Pandya emblem of [[Flag of Pandya|fish]] on the reverse.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=115}}

== Administration ==

During his reign of 63 years, Ganapati brought under his influence almost the entire [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-speaking territory by war or diplomacy.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=600}} Continuing his predecessor Rudra-deva's project of moving the capital from [[Anumakonda]] to [[Orugallu]], he built a new fortification with 75 bastions, each protected by a ''nayaka'' (chief). The fortification comprised a stone and a mud fort, one within the other.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=116}}

Ganapati took several measures to improve trade and agriculture. He subjugated the petty chiefs who had been harassing the foreign merchants at the Motupalli port. He took measures to ensure the safety of the merchants, and granted them special concessions to promote trade.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=615}}

Ganapati's loyal subordinates included:

* The Recherla chief Rudra helped preserve the Kakatiya authority when Ganapati was under Yadava captivity.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=216}} * The Malyala chief Chaunda and his son Kata led the Kakatiya campaigns in the Divi and Vela-nadu regions.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=217}} * The Ayya chiefs of Divi entered his service after being subjugated.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=217}} * [[Jayapa Senani|Jayapa]] or Jaya, the ''[[senapati]]'' or ''senani'' (commander), led the elephant force, as suggested by his title ''gaja-senani'' ("elephant commander"). He also composed ''Nṛtta Ratnāvalī'', a treatise on dancing and choreography.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=217}} * ''Samanta'' Bhoja of Dochi family, who led the southern campaign in support of Manuma-siddhi II in c. 1249 CE.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=618}} * Bhaskara-deva, a commander of the elephant force.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=618}}

Ganapati's subordinate allies and vassals included:

* The [[Nellore Chodas|Nellore Choda]] chief Manuma-siddhi II{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=217}} * Opili Siddhi of [[Konidena]]{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=217}} * Madhava ''Maharaja'', the Chakra-narayana ruler of [[Addanki]], and his son Saranga-dhara-deva{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=217}} * Vira-bhadra, an [[Chalukyas of Vengi|Vengi Chalukya]], who married Ganapati's daughter Rudrama{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=217}}

Ganapati's ministers included:

* Soma or Somaya of Induluri family, who served as a ''maha-pradhana'', and also served as a general despite being from a [[Brahmin]] family{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=217}} * Prola Bhima-nayaka, another ''maha-pradhana'', bore the titles ''Aruvela-dushaka'' ("destroyer of Velanadu") and ''Kanchi-chura-kara'' ("plunderer of Kanchi").{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=217}} * Gangaya-''sahini'' of a [[Kayastha]] family. According to the 1254 CE Tripurantakam inscription, he held the position of ''bahattara-niyogadhipati'', the superintendent of 72 ''niyoga''s or royal offices including generals and ministers. He was also a commander of the cavalry (''turaga-sadhanika''). Ganapati conferred upon him a fief extending from [[Panagal, Nalgonda district|Panugal]] in the north to [[Kaivara|Kaivaram]] in the south: he ruled this land from his capital at Valluru-Pattana (near [[Kadapa]]). He died in 1257 CE, and was succeeded by his nephew Janniga-deva or Janardana, the son of his younger sister Chandala-devi.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=214–218}} * Prola Rautu, the minister of war (''tantra-pala''){{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=618}} * Potana, Kuchena Preggeda, and Kondaya Preggada – all of whom held the office of ''pradhana''{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=619}}

Some Kakatiya inscriptions claim that several other Indian kings were Ganapati's vassals. For example:

* The Chebrolu inscription of [[Jayapa Senani|Jayapa]] claims that the following kings were suppliants at his door: Madra, Panchala, Videha, Hammira (possibly a Muslim ruler), Huna, and Kashi.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=614}} * The Pakhal inscription claims that his heralds presented the following kings to him at each assembly: Kashi, Kalinga, Shaka, Kerala, Tummana (in Madhya Pradesh), Huna, Kurus, Arimarda (possibly Pegu in Burma), Magadhas, Nepala, and Chola.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=614}}

Such boastful claims were part of a literary convention popular with [[prashasti]] writers, and can be dismissed as historically inaccurate. Except the Kalinga and Chola rulers, the rest of these kingdoms had ceased to exist by Ganapati's kingdom, and much of the northern India was under the [[Delhi Sultanate]]. At best, Ganapati may have had some contact, friendly or otherwise, with the rulers of these regions.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|pp=614–615}}

== Succession ==

Ganapati apparently retired after suffering defeats against the Pandyas in the late 1250s.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=218}} He did not have a male heir, and had two daughters: [[Rudrama Devi|Rudrama-devi]] (or Rudramba) and Ganapama-devi (or Ganapamba). Rudrama married Virabhadra, a prince of [[Chalukyas of Vengi|Vengi Chalukya]] ancestry; and Ganapama married Beta of Kota family.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=615}}

Ganapati nominated his elder daughter Rudrama as his successor. She began to rule as a co-regent from 1259 to 1260 under the regnal name Rudra-deva ''Maharaja''.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=218}} The 17th-century text ''Pratapa-charitra'' states that Ganapati had two sons from his junior queens; these sons – Hari-hara and Murari-deva – revolted against Rudrama.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=218}} No other source mentions these purported sons of Ganapati.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=118}} According to the Tripurantakam inscription of Ganapati's sister Mailama, Hari-hara was actually a paternal uncle of Ganapati.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=218}}

Ganapati was alive at least until 1269 CE, as suggested by the Duggi (in [[Palnadu district|Palnad]]) inscription of his subordinate Janniga-deva. This inscription calls Rudrama the "chosen royalty" (''pattoddhati'', a mistake for ''pattodhrti''), which suggests that officially, she was still a queen-designate and not a queen.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=218}}

Some members of the royal family appear to have contested Rudrama's ascension. For example, according to ''Pratapa-charita'', Harihara and Murari-deva, who were Ganapati's sons by other queens, revolted against Rudrama and seized the capital. However, the loyal Kakatiya feudatories helped suppress these rebellions.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=218}}

==References== {{reflist}}

=== Bibliography === {{ref begin}} * {{cite book |author=P.V.P. Sastry|author-link=P. V. Parabrahma Sastry |editor=N. Ramesan |title=The Kākatiyas of Warangal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FiRuAAAAMAAJ |year=1978 |publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh |location=Hyderabad |oclc=252341228 }} * {{cite book |author1=N. Venkataramanayya |author2=M. Somasekhara Sarma |chapter=The Kakatiyas of Warangal |editor=Ghulam Yazdani |title=The Early History of the Deccan Parts VII – XI |volume=IX: The Kākatīyas of Warangal |year=1960 |publisher=Oxford University Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g0D5RAAACAAJ |oclc=59001459 |isbn=9788170691259 |ref={{harvid|Ghulam Yazdani|1960}} }} * {{cite book |author1=N. Venkataramanayya |author2=P.V.P. Sastry |chapter=The Kākatīyas |editor=R.S. Sharma |title=A Comprehensive history of India: A.D. 985-1206 |volume=4 (Part 1) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ahFuAAAAMAAJ |year=1957 |edition=1987 reprint |publisher=Indian History Congress / People's Publishing House | isbn=978-81-7007-121-1 |ref={{harvid|R.S. Sharma|1957}} }} {{ref end}}

{{Kakatiya dynasty}}

[[Category:Telugu monarchs]] [[Category:Kakatiya monarchs]] [[Category:12th-century Indian monarchs]] [[Category:13th-century Indian monarchs]]