Brain Booster for UPSC & State PCS Examination (Topic: Kakatiya Dynasty)

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A temple constructed by Emperor Ganapati Deva, a mighty ruler of Kakatiya dynasty, in Dharanikota near present Andhra Pradesh capital Amaravathi has been converted into an abode of local goddess Balusulamma (Goddess Durga).
The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.

The presiding deity at this 13th century temple was Kakati Devi, the tutelary deity of Kakatiya rulers.
Due to ravages of time and for no upkeep, the presiding deity got damaged.
The villagers of Dharanikota, who had no knowledge about the hoary past of the temple, installed Balusulamma idol and started worshipping.
Unfortunately, neither the shrines sanctified by her ardent royal devotees nor her venerated images have so far been brought to light.
People of the land as well as scholars are lamenting this unpleasant aspect.

The ceiling of the temple bears decorations of lotus medallions and no sikhara on its top. These architectural features are totally akin to their counterparts found in shrines at Hanamkonda and Warangal fort etc., - the original home land of Kakatiya dynasty.
The goddess is gracefully seated in Padmasana with eight hands. Her facial physiognomic features are oval, distinguished with slender cheeks, wide open eyes, an elongated nose and closed tender pair of lips. She has eight hands and poses eight different special attributes. Her lower right hand is benevolently blessing the devotees.
This is a very rare and unique image possessed with best iconographical illustrations of the Kakatiya sculptures and pointing towards a most distinguished cult deity.
With passage of time, when patrons became extinct the shrine was neglected and unpreserved, the idol rolled out from its original place in the sanctum and mutilated.
Currently, the idol is placed in a small shelter on the southern side of the temple, locally known as Gollabhama Gudi.

The Kakatiyas were powerful rulers of large parts of Deccan for almost 300 years (c.950– 1323 ce).
Their capital was Orugallu, now known as Warangal. It was eventually conquered by the Delhi Sultanate. First they were attacked and defeated by Alauddin Khalji for plunder, then again they were subdued by Ulugh Khan (son of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq) and was renamed as Sultanpur.
Before Orugallu, Hanamakonda was their capital.
It was Kakatiya Dynasty which mined the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Italian traveller Marco Polo visited during the reign of Rudramadevi, the female ruler of Kakatiya dynasty famously known for her administrative capabilities and statesmanship.

Rudreshwara Swamy Temple also known as Thousand Pillar Temple in Telengana is believed to be constructed during the period between 1175–1324 CE by order of the king, Rudra Deva. It stands out to be a masterpiece and achieved major heights in terms of architectural skills by the ancient Kakatiya Vishwakarma Sthapathis (Architect). It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya.
Hyderabad’s Golconda Fort was also built by Kakatiya ruler, and it became the early capital city of the Qutb Shahi dynasty (c.1512–1687).
Ramappa Temple also known as the Ramalingeswara temple, known for its beautiful intricate carvings, is the only temple in the country which has been named after its sculptor, Ramappa, who took 40 years to build the temple.
Thousand Pillar Temple, along with Warangal Fort, Kakatiya Kala Thoranam and Ramappa Temple are added to the tentative list of World Heritage sites recognised by UNESCO.