Kakatiya Dynasty - Rudra Deva

Rudra Deva

Prola II was succeeded by Rudradeva (1158–1195). Rudradeva, also known as Prataparudra I, was the eldest son of Prola II. By the year 1162 CE, Rudradeva vanquished a number of his enemies and transformed his petty principality into an extensive kingdom. Rudradeva devoted the later part of his reign to the conquest of the coastal region. He consolidated and pushed the kingdom to the east up to the Godavari delta. Thousand Pillar Temple was built by King Rudra Deva in 1163 CE at Hanumakonda. During the years 1176–82 CE the battle of Palanadu was fought. Rudradeva rendered military assistance to Nalagama's faction. In this battle, the military strength of Velanadu had got weakened. Exploiting the situation, Rudradeva led his forces into Coastal Andhra and conquered up to Srisailam and Tripurantakam in the south. In the last year of his reign (1195 CE), he came into conflict with the Seunas (Yadavas) of Devagiri. Rudra suffered defeat and death in his encounter with Jaitrapala I. After Rudradeva's death and the imprisonment of his nephew Ganapati in the hands of the Yadavs, his younger brother Mahadeva ascended the throne and ruled the kingdom for a short span of about three years (1196–1198 CE). He led an expedition against the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri to avenge Rudra's death and also to release his son Ganapati. He lost his life in the battle.