{{Short description|Queen regnant of the Kakatiya Kingdom from 1262 to 1289}} {{About||the 2015 film|Rudhramadevi (film){{!}}''Rudhramadevi'' (film)|the 2021 television series|Rudramadevi (TV series){{!}}''Rudramadevi'' (TV series)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}} {{Infobox royalty | title = Raya-gaja-kesari | name = Rudrama Devi | regnal name = Rudra Deva Maharaja | image = Rani Rudrama Devi, Warangal Fort Telangana, India - 1.jpg | caption = Statue of Rudrama Devi in Warangal Fort | succession = Kakatiya Ruler | reign = 1262 – November 1289<ref>{{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Bonnie G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EFI7tr9XK6EC&pg=RA1-PA612 |page=612 |volume=1 |title=The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History |year=2008 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-514890-9 |language=en}}</ref> | predecessor = Ganapati-deva | successor = Prataparudra | death_date = November 1289 | death_place = Possibly at Chandupatla<br />(present-day Telangana, India) | dynasty = Kakatiya | father = Ganapati-deva | spouse = Virabhadra }} '''Rudrama Devi''' (reigned 1262–November 1289), also known by her regnal name '''Rudra-deva Maharaja''', was a Kakatiya Queen regnant who ruled substantial parts of present-day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in southern India.
Rudrama's father and predecessor Ganapati, who had no son, appointed her as his co-regent around 1260. By 1263, Rudrama became the sole ruler, although she was not formally anointed as a sovereign at least until 1269. Early during her reign, Rudrama appears to have faced a revolt, which she was able to suppress with the support of her loyalists. She recovered some of the territories that the Kakatiyas had lost during the late 1250s and the early 1260s to their southern neighbours - the Pandyas. She also repulsed invasions by the Seunas (Yadavas) from the north-west, and the Gajapatis from the north-east. In the 1270s and the 1280s, Rudrama lost much of her southern territory to a revolt by the Kayastha chief Amba-deva, and likely lost her life in a conflict against him in 1289. Her grandson Prataparudra succeeded her on the Kakatiya throne.
The reign of Rudrama was remarkable for the rise of several non-aristocratic warriors in the Kakatiya service. She strengthened the Warangal Fort by raising its inner wall and constructing an outer wall surrounded by a moat.
== Early life ==
Rudrama-devi, also known as Rudramba, was a daughter of her predecessor King Ganapati-deva. Kumara-svami Somapithi, in his commentary on Vidyanatha's ''Prataparudra-yashobhushanam'', states that Rudrama was a daughter of Ganapati by queen Somamba. However, at another place in the same text, he incorrectly names Rudrama as the chief queen of Ganapati. Some other sources also incorrectly describe Rudrama as a wife of Ganapati, including the Venetian traveler Marco Polo (who visited the Kakatiya kingdom around 1293 CE), and the 17th-century text ''Pratapa-charitra''. However, contemporary epigraphic evidence makes it clear that Rudrama was a daughter of Ganapati, not his wife.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=620}}
Rudrama married Vira-bhadra, a son of Indu-shekhara, the Chalukya samanta of Nidadavolu.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=128}} There are several instances of Kakatiya monarchs reinstating defeated families to power and establishing marital relations with them: it is possible that Ganapati had subjugated this Chalukya branch during his conquest of Vengi in 1240. He probably arranged Rudrama's marriage shortly after,{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2001|pp=155-156}} in order to secure the political allegiance of the Chalukyas of Nidadavolu.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=112}}
== Ascension ==
Ganapati apparently retired after suffering defeats at his southern frontier, against the Pandyas, in the late 1250s.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=218}} He had no male heir,{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=615}} and nominated Rudrama as his successor. She began to rule as a co-regent from c. 1260 under the regnal name Rudra-deva ''Maharaja''.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=218}} Ganapati probably became too old and weak to govern, and assigned Rudrama to run the government.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|pp=620-621}} She appears to have become the sole ruler in 1263.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2001|p=273}}
The 1266 CE Tripuranthakam inscription of the Kakatiya ''maha-pradhana'' Pedda Mallaya Preggada mentions ''Maharaja'' Ganapati-deva as the ruling sovereign, not Rudrama. The 1269 CE Duggi inscription of the Kakatiya subordinate Janniga-deva describes Rudrama as ''pattoddhati'' (a mistake for ''pattoddhrti'', meaning "chose royalty"). This suggests that in 1269, Ganapati was alive and Rudrama had not formally been anointed as a sovereign: officially, she was still a queen designate.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=621}}
Epigraphic evidence suggests that in the 1260s, the Kakatiyas lost control of several territories that were part of Ganapati's kingdom at its greatest extent. The southernmost territories were lost to the Pandyas, parts of coastal Andhra in the east were lost to the Gajapatis, and parts of Telangana in the north-west were lost to the Seunas (Yadavas).{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=219}} In the Vengi region, no Kakatiya records have been found for the period 1262–1278, which suggests that their former vassals - the Kona Haihaya and the Chalukya chiefs - no longer acknowledged the Kakatiya suzerainty.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=224}} It is possible that the Kakatiya monarch granted autonomy to the Chalukyas of Nidadavolu, because Vira-bhadra of this family was Rudrama's husband; however, this is not certain.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=623}}
=== Revolts ===
It appears that some nobles and Rudrama's own relatives did not approve of a woman being nominated to the throne. The 17th-century text ''Pratapa-charitra'' states that two men named Hari-hara and Murari-deva revolted against Rudrama. The text describes them as Ganapati's sons from his junior queens.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=218}} It states that they captured the Kakatiya capital Warangal, and ousted Rudrama from there. Rudrama then rallied her supporters, recaptured the fort, and had her half-brothers killed. This account is not supported by any other evidence, and no other source mentions these purported sons of Ganapati, or Ganapati having any sons.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=621}} 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}} Though the historicity of the ''Pratapa-charitra'' account is doubtful, it probably preserves the memory of a rebellion against Rudrama.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=622}}
''Pratapa-charitra'' states that Prasaditya assumed the titles ''Kakatiya-rajya-sthapan-acharya'' (Sanskrit for "a pillar of support for the Kakatiya kingdom"{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2001|p=159}}) and ''Raya-pitamahanka'', highlighting his role in the re-establishment of the Kakatiya power. It is Prasaditya's family chronicle, so it exaggerates his role in suppressing the rebellion against Rudrama. Several other chiefs assumed similar titles, which suggests that they may have also helped Rudrama suppress the rebellion.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=622}} For example:
* The following Kakatiya subordinates assumed the title ''Raya-sthapan-acharya'' in their inscriptions dating from 1275 to 1290 CE:{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=622}}{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=119}}{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=218}} ** ''Maha-pradhana'' Kannara-nayaka (or Kandara-nayaka) ** ''Maha-pradhana'' Ganapati-deva (or Ganapad-deva) ''Maharajulu'' ** Nisshanka Mallikarjuna ''Nayaka'' ** Amba-deva of Kayastha family * The Malayala chief Gundaya-nayaka and Madaya-nayaka assumed the epithets (''biruda'') ''svami-drohara-ganda''{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=622}} * Machaya Nayaka bore the epithet ''svami-drohara-ganda'' and ''svami-vamchakara-ganda''{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=622}}
Some early 14th-century chiefs, such as Devari Nayadu (fl. 1313–1317) and Kachaya Reddi, also bear similar titles, but they likely did not fight for Rudrama; they probably assumed these titles after fighting against the invasions from the Delhi Sultanate.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=622}}
== Reign ==
=== Conflict with the Gajapatis in coastal Andhra ===
Epigraphic evidence suggests that during much of the 1260s and 1270s, the Gajapatis from the north-east maintained a presence in the coastal Andhra region, which was a part of Ganapati's kingdom at its greatest extent. For example, a 1262 CE Draksharamam inscription mentions ''Nara-simha-naradhipa'' ("Narasimha, the lord of men"), who was most probably the Gajapati king Narasimha I. Bhanudeva I, the son of Narasimha, invaded Vengi around 1274 CE, as attested by his two inscriptions at Draksharamam.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=219}} Arjuna-deva, the Matsya chief of Oddadi, as well as other chiefs, accompanied him.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=623}}
Rudrama sent an army led by the brothers Poti Nayaka and Proli Nayaka against the Gajapati forces. The two brothers assumed the titles ''Gajapati-matta-matanga-simha'' ("lion to the rutting elephant") and Oddiyaraya-manamardana ("the destroyer of the pride of the Odia king"). This suggest that they repulsed the Gajapati invasion.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=623}} Their army appears to have re-established the Kakatiya authority in much of the coastal Andhra region, with the Gajapati power restricted to the north of the Godavari River.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=219}}
The Kakatiya rule in the region is attested by a 1278-1279 CE inscription of Karaparti Suraya Reddi, who describes himself as a servant of Kakatiya Rudradeva ''Maharaja'', that is, Rudrama. His inscription records a gift to the temple of the god Bhimeshvara at Draksharamam.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=623}} Epigraphic evidence suggests that the Kakatiya control of the coastal Andhra region remained unchallenged during the rest of Rudrama's reign.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=622}}
=== Conflicts with the Pandyas and their vassals ===
Towards the end of the Ganapati's reign the Pandyas had conquered the southernmost part of the Kakatiya territory, including Nellore, and their vassals ruled this area in the subsequent years.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=624}} The 1264 CE and 1269 CE inscriptions of Rudrama's Kayastha subordinate Janniga-deva claim that he ruled the area extending from Panugal in the north to Kaivaram-kota in the south;{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=624}} Ganapati had conferred this area as a fief upon him.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=214-218}} However, epigraphic evidence suggests that much of this area was controlled by Pandya allies: the Kalukada chiefs Keshava-deva and his brother Raya-murari Soma-deva.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|pp=624-625}}
An undated Chidambaram inscription of the Pandya prince Vikrama states that he did not march further north because he did not want to fight a woman who had assumed the name of a king. According to historians N. Venkataramanayya and M. Somasekhara Sarma, this may be euphemistic cover for his failed expedition against Rudrama.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=624}}
Inscriptions of Rudrama and her subordinates, discovered in the Kadapa and Nellore areas, suggest that Kakatiyas regained control over some of the territory that they had earlier lost to the Pandyas:{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=627}}
* The 1264 CE Nandalur inscription of Nagaraja, the ''pradhani'' of Rudrama's subordinate Janniga-deva, records a gift to the temple of Samuya-natha-svami.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=627}} * The 1268 CE Atluru inscription near Siddavatam also attests to Janniga-deva's control over the area. Although the inscription is damaged, and the name of the issuer is lost, his titles and date indicate that he was Janniga-deva.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=627}} * Epigraphic evidence suggests that the Kakatiyas also ousted the Pandya vassal Vira Rajendra Chola (likely Rajendra Chola III{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=624}}) from Nellore. ''Mahamandaleshvara'' Naga-deva ''Maharaja'', a vassal of Rudrama, ruled at Nellore during 1271–1275.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=627}}
The Kakatiya subordinates soon lost these territories to rival chiefs, who were probably Pandya vassals. The Telugu Choda chief Vijaya Ganda-gopala appears to have displaced the Kayasthas. Tiru-kalatti-deva II (alias Tribhuvana-chakravarti Irumadi), the eldest son of the former Choda ruler Manuma-siddhi II, appears to have displaced Naga-deva from Nellore in 1263. He apparently ruled Nellore during c. 1279–1283, before another Choda chief Manuma-Gandagopala displaced him.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=628}}
=== Conflict with the Seunas ===
The Seuna (Yadava) king Mahadeva invaded the Kakatiya kingdom during Rudrama's reign. The Seuna records, including Mahadeva's inscriptions and Hemadri's ''Vrata-khanda'', suggest that he achieved military successes against the ruler of Tilinga (Telangana), that is, the Kakatiya monarch. For example, they claim that Mahadeva was "the uprooter of the stalk of the lotus of the head" of the ruler of Tilinga, that he blew away this ruler like a strong wind blows away cotton, and that he "captured in battle the elephants and the five musical instruments" of this ruler.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=625}} The ''Vrata-khanda'' claims that Mahadeva left Rudrama free because he was reluctant to kill a woman.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=219-220}} The epithet "the uprooter of the stalk of the lotus of the head" appears to be a hereditary title inherited from his great-grandfather Jaitugi, who is known to have killed a Kakatiya king. Other claims made in the Seuna inscriptions are clear exaggerations.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=625}}
The records from Telangana suggest that Rudrama not only repulsed the Seuna invasion, but also annexed a part of their territory. The 17th-century text ''Pratapa-charitra'' describes the episode as follows: Mahadeva besieged the Kakatiya capital Warangal for 15 days, but Rudrama led the Kakatiya forces to destroy his 300,000 infantry and 100,000 cavalry. Rudrama then chased Mahadeva to the Seuna capital Devagiri; there, Mahadeva sued for peace, agreed to pay her 10 million gold coins as war indemnity, and concluded a peace treaty. Rudrama distributed the money among her commanders, set up a victory pillar in the Seuna territory, and returned to her own kingdom.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|pp=625-626}}
The ''Pratapa-charitra'' claims, such as Rudrama's purported destruction of the 300,000 infantry and 100,000 cavalry, are obvious exaggerations. However, epigraphic and numismatic evidence suggests that Rudrama indeed repulsed a Seuna invasion:{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=626}}
* A fragmentary Bidar Fort inscription mentions Rudrama's subordinate Bhairava of Sinda family, and states that he accompanied Rudrama as a commander of her army in all her expeditions. Bidar is located in the southern part of the traditional Seuna territory, and this inscription may have been issued during Rudrama's offensive against the Seunas, in the Bedadakota (present-day Bidar) area.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=220}} The inscription mentions her title as ''Raya-gaja-kesari'', which she inherited from her father.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|pp=121-122}} * A 1267 CE Panugal inscription of the Seuna prince Sharnga-pani-deva records a gift to the temple of Chhaya-Somanatha. The inscription describes him as a son of the Seuna king Simhana and a subordinate of the Kakatiya Manuma-Rudradeva, that is, Rudrama. According to historian M. Somasekhara Sarma, this Sharnga-pani-deva is same as the Sharnga-pani-deva described in the 1268 CE Hire-Kogilur inscription as the father of Mahadeva. He theorizes that Mahadeva's father Sharnga-pani-deva seized Panagal during the Seuna invasion of the Kakatiya territory, and acknowledged her suzerainty after the Seuna defeat.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=626}} However, historian P.V.P. Sastry theorizes that Sharnga-pani-deva (or Sarjnapani-deva) of the Panugal inscription was another Seuna prince who sought asylum with the Kakatiyas because of his differences with Mahadeva.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=220}} * In 1922, a set of 43 gold coins issued by Seuna kings was unearthed at Rachapatnam near Kaikaluru. M. Somasekhara Sarma notes that the treasure cannot be considered to be a proof of Seuna presence in the Kakatiya country, as coins travel extensive distances; for example, Roman coins have been found in southern India because of trade. According to him, the coins may have been part of the war indemnity that the Seunas paid to Rudrama according to the ''Pratapa-charitra''.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=626-627}}
=== Amba-deva's revolt ===
Members of the Kayastha family, who held a fief in the southern part of the Kakatiya kingdom, appear to have been loyal to Rudrama during the tenure of the brothers Janniga-dev and Tripurari-deva.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=220}} Their younger brother Amba-deva, who became the Kayastha chief in 1272,{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=628}} appears to have been loyal to Rudrama for some time, as suggested by his title ''raya-sthapanacharya'' ("a pillar of support for the kingdom"{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2001|p=159}}).{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=224}} However, his inscriptions do not mention any overlord, which suggests that he soon asserted independence, giving up his allegiance to Rudrama.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=629}}
Amba-deva's 1290 CE Tripurantakam inscription, records his military successes, including his victories over the feudatories and allies of Rudrama.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=221}}{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=629}}
* In 1273, he defeated the Shripati Ganapati, the ruler of the Gurindala (Gurazala or Gurijala) area.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=630}} A 1268 CE Mutukur inscription suggests that Ganapati was a vassal of Rudrama.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=630}} * Amba-deva claims to have cut off heads of 75 chiefs (''nayakas'') in battle.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=221}} These chiefs were probably Rudrama's subordinates, whom she sent to subjugate Amba-deva after his victory over Shripati Ganapati.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=630}} The number 75 and the beheading claim are likely poetic exaggeration, and may be interpreted to mean that Amba-deva simply defeated the entire Kakatiya army.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=631}} * Amba-deva claims to have caused his destruction or ruin (''vidhvamsa'') of Kopperunjinga alias ''Kadava-raya'',{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=631}} a Pandya vassal who was also possibly a Kakatiya ally at the time.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=124}} * Sometime before 1281, Amba-deva appointed Manuma Ganda-gopala on the throne of Nellore.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=222}}{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=631}} * Amba-deva defeated Manu-Mallideva, the Telugu Choda ruler of the Eruva region, and annexed his territories.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=221}} Although Manu-Mallideva's inscriptions do not mention any overlord, he may have been a Kakatiya subordinate.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=633}} * Amba-deva also defeated the Pandya ruler Maravarman Kulashekhara, and his allies, the Kalukada chiefs.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|pp=629,632}} He established a marital alliance with a chief named Bollaya, and conquered the Pendekallu area.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=633}}{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=221}}
With these victories, Amba-deva carved out an independent principality that included almost all of the former south-western parts of the Kakatiya territory to the south of the Krishna River.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=222}} As a result, at the time of Rudrama's death, the Kakatiya kingdom was smaller than the one she had inherited; nevertheless, it was still larger than it had been during the early part of her father's reign.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2008|p=612}} The distribution of inscriptions that mention her as sovereign suggests that the Kakatiya sphere of influence shrank during her reign.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2001|p=134}}
== Death == [[File:Inscription on the death of Rani Rudrama in Chandupalta-1289 AD.jpg|thumb|The 1289 CE Chandupatla inscription that mentions the death of Rudrama]] Rudrama appears to have been killed in November 1289 CE by Amba-deva's forces. This theory is supported by the following evidence:{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=125-126}}
* The 27 November 1289 Chandupatla inscription records warrior Puvvula Mummadi's gift of some land to the god Soma-natha-deva, for the merit of Rudrama (called "Kakati Rudrama-devi") and her general Mallikarjuna-''nayaka''. It states that both of them had attained ''Shiva-loka'', that is, died, presumably a few days before the date of the record.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=125}} * A 1290 CE inscription, issued by Mallikarjuna's son Immadi Mallikarjuna-''nayaka'', attests that Mallikarjuna was a general of Rudrama; this inscription was issued for the merit of "Kumara Rudra-deva ''Maharaja''".{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=125}} * These inscriptions suggest that Rudrama and her general Mallikarjuna died at the same time. According to historian P.V.P. Sastry, Rudrama was likely very old at the time - around eighty years - and therefore, probably did not lead her forces in a battle. However, she may have accompanied her army - commanded by Mallikarjuna - to inspire them.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=125}} * Amba-deva's 1290 CE Tripurantakam inscription states he deprived Mallikarjuna-''pati'' of seven limbs. This Mallikarjuna, whom the inscription describes as an enemy of gods and brahmanas, appears to be same as Rudrama's general Mallikarjuna.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=126}} In this context, the "seven limbs" appear to refer to the seven constituent members of Mallikarjuna's royalty,{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=629}} defined in the Sanskrit thesaurus ''Amara-ksoha'' as "king, minister, friend, treasury, territory, forts and forces".{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=126}} * Amba-deva's revolt is the only political disturbance known to have taken place in the Kakatiya kingdom around 1289 CE. Besides claiming to have deprived Mallikarjuna of his overlord (one of the "limbs"),{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|pp=125-126}} Amba-deva also claims to have "vanquished" all the kings of Andhra.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=633}} This suggests that he was responsible for killing Rudrama: according to Sastry, he did not explicitly state that he killed Rudrama, because boasting about killing an old woman would have discredited him as a warrior.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=126}}
In 2017, archaeologist D. Kanna Babu of Archaeological Survey of India identified two sculptures at Pochalamma temple in Bollikunta as depictions of Rudrama. The first sculpture shows her riding a horse with reins in her left hand and a sword in her right hand; it features an overhead umbrella - the royal insignia. The second sculpture shows her tired, seated sorrowfully, and leaning towards left; the royal umbrella is missing, presumably because she lost it in the battle; and there is a buffalo - the vehicle of Yama, the lord of death. According to Babu's interpretation, the sculptures depict Rudrama's death in a battle against Amba-deva.<ref>{{cite news |author=K. Venkateshwarlu |title=Two sculptures of Rani Rudrama Devi shed light on her death |date=2017-12-05 |newspaper=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/two-sculptures-of-rani-rudrama-devi-shed-light-on-her-death/article21268201.ece |access-date=2023-04-01 }}</ref>
Around 1291, during the reign of Rudrama's successor Prataparudra, the Kakatiya forces defeated Amba-deva.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|pp=129-130}} Earlier historians believed that Rudramadevi ruled until 1295, because some records before this year name Prataparudra as ''Kumara'' (Prince) Rudra.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=129}} However, the discovery of the Chandupatla inscription confirmed that Rudramadevi died before 27 November 1289.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=125}}{{sfn|B. Satyanarayana Singh|1999|p=3}} Moreover, some records before 1295 (such as the 1292 Inkirala inscription) call Prataparudra a ''Maharaja'' ("great king"). It appears that Prataparudra continued to be called ''Kumara'' Rudra for some years after ascending the throne, because this was a familiar usage.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=129}}
== Administration ==
According to an early 14th-century text, Rudrama's father Ganapati considered her equal to a son, and therefore, decided to use a male persona for her.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2008|pp=612-613}} Rudrama thus promoted a male image to rule in a patrilineal society that traditionally excluded women from political power: she assumed a male name and wore masculine clothing.{{sfn|Barbara N. Ramusack|1999|p=37}} Her husband Vira-bhadra finds few mentions in historical records and did not actively participate in the administration.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2008|p=612}}
Rudrama recruited several non-aristocratic warriors into the Kakatiya service: her successor Prataparudra as well as the later Vijayanagara emperors adopted this policy as well.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2008|p=612}} Epigraphic evidence suggests that during and after the later part of Ganapati's reign, the number and proportion of officers (as opposed to chiefs and princes) among individuals acknowledging Kakatiya overlordship increased significantly. For example, out of the 34 Kakatiya subordinates known from Kakatiya inscriptions during the early part of Ganapati's reign (c. 1199-1230 CE), 47% were chiefs and princes, while 26% were officers. From Rudrama's reign, 63 subordinates are known: only 17% of these were chiefs and princes, while 38% were officers. This suggests that, during this period, the noble families declined while the importance of the officers grew.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2001|p=158}} In the Kakatiya administration, the officers with the designation ''anga-rakshaka'' (bodyguard) first appeared during Rudrama's rule, and virtually disappeared during the reign of her successor Prataparudra.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2001|p=159}}
The Malayala and Recherla chiefs, who played an important role during the reigns of the preceding kings Rudra and Ganapati, appear to have retired from active service during Rudrama's reign. New chiefs, such as Reddis of Gona family and the Velamas, emerged as the important generals during her time.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=224}}
Notable subordinates of Rudrama included:
* The Reddi chiefs of the Gona family: Gona Gannaya and his general Vitthala helped Rudrama's successor Prataparudra conquer the Bellary and Raichur forts from the Seunas.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=127}} * The Velama chief Prasaditya, who commanded the south-western region of the Kakatiya kingdom.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=127}} * The Kayastha brothers Janniga-deva, Tripurantaka (alias Tripurari), and Amba-deva, who ruled in succession.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=220}} Amba-deva appears to have been loyal to Rudrama for some time, as suggested by his title ''raya-sthapan-acharya'', before he asserted independence.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=224}} * The Are vassals migrated from western Deccan to the Srisailam area, which came to be known as ''Are-bhumi'' or ''Are-vidu''. Sharnga-pani-deva, a son of the Seuna king Simhana, was the most important Are vassal of Rudrama. ''Ranaka'' Gopa-deva-raja, a military commander mentioned in the 1273 CE Gundalapadu inscription, was another chief of Are ancestry.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=127}} * Bhairava, son of Maila of Sinda family, was a vassal of Rudrama. According to the Bidar inscription, he assisted the queen in her successful military campaigns in Vengi, Dravila, and the Seuna kingdom.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=225}} * Sura, a chief (''samanta'') of the Viriyala family, served the queen as a military commander (''senadhipati'') in the northern region.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=225}} * The chiefs of the Cheraku family served as Rudrama's commanders in the southern region.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=225}} * Minister (''maha-pradhana'') and commander (''senadhipati'') Annaya-deva of Induluri family was Rudrama's son-in-law.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=225-226}} * Ponkala Mallaya Preggada, another ''maha-pradhana'', held the office of ''bahattara-niyogadhipati'',{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=225}} the superintendent of 72 ''niyoga''s or royal offices.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=214-218}}
== Constructions ==
Rudrama continued the fortification of Warangal by raising the height of a curtain wall, approximately {{convert|0.75|mi|km}} in diameter, to {{convert|20|ft|m}}. This wall was made of granite blocks, was surrounded by a wide moat, and had 45 bastions, which were 40–60 feet on a side. She also commissioned the construction of an outer earthen wall, {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} in diameter, and surrounded by an additional 150 {{convert|150|ft|m}}-wide moat.{{sfn|Richard M. Eaton|2005|p=17}}
Rudrama built a ''ranga-mandapa'' dedicated to her family deity Svayambhu-deva (Shiva) in the Warangal Fort. A sculpture discovered among the ruins of this structure depicts her as a lion-mounted warrior holding a dagger and a shield in her hands. The image also depicts an elephant holding a lotus in its trunk: according to historian P.V.P. Sastry, it represents Rudrama's title ''Raya-gaja-kesari''.{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=122}}
== Family and succession ==
Rudrama and her husband Vira-bhadra had three daughters: Mummadamma, Rudrama, and Ruyyama (alias Ruyyamba).{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=128}} According to Vidyanatha's ''Prataparudra-Yashobhushana'', Mummadamma married Mahadeva.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=225}} Rudrama, the princess who shared her mother's name, married the Seuna (Yadava) prince Yellana-deva (or Ellana-deva{{sfn|P.V.P. Sastry|1978|p=128}}), who held a fief near Guntur, as suggested by his Alapadu inscription.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=226}} Ruyyama married the minister and commander Annaya-deva of Induluri family, who was a son of Gannaya.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|pp=225-226}}
Since queen Rudrama had no son, her father Ganapati asked her to adopt Mummadamma's son Prataparudra alias Vira-rudra as her own son. Rudrama did so, and nominated Prataparudra as her successor.{{sfn|R.S. Sharma|1957|p=225}}
Rudrama had a sister named Ganapama-devi (or Ganapamba), who married Beta of Kota family.{{sfn|Ghulam Yazdani|1960|p=615}}
== In popular culture == thumb|A 21st century statue of Rudrama Among the historical rulers of India, Rudrama was one of the few women who inherited the throne from her father. She was also among the most successful women rulers of medieval South Asia, by the length of her reign as well as by the area of her kingdom. The historical traditions written in the centuries immediately following her death did not celebrate her as an important female monarch, and instead presented her as a widow queen who ruled on behalf of her infant son. However, in the 20th century, she became a source of regional pride in the Andhra Pradesh (later split into Telangana).{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2008|pp=612-613}}
In 2015, filmmaker Gunasekhar made a Telugu film ''Rudhramadevi'' on the life of Rudrama Devi with Anushka Shetty playing the titular role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Anushka-to-do-a-Tamil-Telugu-period-film/etarticleshow/16684262.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709103852/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-06/news-interviews/34280826_1_anushka-period-film-gunashekar |url-status=live |archive-date=9 July 2013 |title=Anushka to do a Tamil-Telugu period film? |date=6 October 2012 |work=The Times of India |access-date=24 November 2012}}</ref>
Peninsula Pictures produced a serial on Star Maa titled ''Rudramadevi'' which pictured the childhood of Rudramadevi to the TV viewers for 100 episodes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rani Rudrama Devi to begin on Star Maa|url=https://telugucinema.com/uncategorized/rani-rudrama-devis-journey-to-begin-on-star-maa-from-18th-jan|access-date=2021-01-16|website=Telugu Cinema|date=16 January 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== See also == * History of women in early modern warfare
== References == {{Reflist}}
=== Bibliography === {{refbegin}} * {{cite book |author=B. Satyanarayana Singh |title=The Art and Architecture of the Kākatīyas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SujVAAAAMAAJ |year=1999 |publisher=Bharatiya Kala Prakashan |isbn=978-81-86050-34-7 }} * {{cite book |author=Barbara N. Ramusack |chapter=Women in South Asia |editor1=Barbara N. Ramusack |editor2=Sharon L. Sievers |title=Women in Asia: Restoring Women to History |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-25321-267-2 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CNi9Jc22OHsC&pg=PA37 }} * {{cite book |author=Cynthia Talbot |chapter=Rudrama-devi, Queen of Kakatiya dynasty (r. 1262–1289) |editor=Bonnie G. Smith |title=The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History |volume=3 |year=2008 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780195148909 |doi=10.1093/acref/9780195148909.001.0001 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EFI7tr9XK6EC&pg=RA1-PA612 }} * {{cite book |author=Cynthia Talbot |title=Precolonial India in Practice: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2001 |isbn=0195136616 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HSfoCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA158 }} * {{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}} }} * {{cite book |author=Richard M. Eaton |title=A Social History of the Deccan, 1300-1761: Eight Indian Lives |year=2005 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521254847 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cGd2huLXEVYC }} * {{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 }} {{refend}}
== External links == * {{Commons category-inline}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Kakatiya dynasty}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Devi, Rudrama}} Category:Kakatiya monarchs Category:Women in 13th-century warfare Category:Indian women warriors Category:Indian queens regnant Category:Queens regnant in Asia Category:Indian female royalty Category:13th-century queens regnant Category:13th-century Indian monarchs Category:13th-century Indian women Category:People from Nellore district Category:Date of birth unknown Category:1289 deaths Category:Telugu monarchs