2017-11-21 Tue

The prejudice that a female ruler cannot govern and protect a kingdom was a widely accepted concept during the medieval period in India. The hierarchy of Indian society was male-dominated. Yet, beyond all odds, there were a few female rulers in Indian history who inherited their thrones from their fathers. The Kakatiya queen Rudramdevi was a great example who broke all the preconception and became the most known and able ruler of her times.

Kakatiya dynasty ruled the southern Deccan (Telangana) region; its capital was Orugallu, now known as Warangal. Queen Rudramadevi (1262-1289 CE) acquired the title of her father King Ganapatideva after her victory over the Yadava King of Devagiri. The above shown gold Pagoda was issued during Rudramadevi's reign. The obverse of this coin depicts double annulets and a crescent punch, four Lotus punches, two ‘Sri’ and ‘Ja’ in Kannada legend around the central Boar depicted in standing position, facing left. Legends are inscribed in Kannada language, it reads ‘Raaya Gaja Kesari’ meaning ‘Lion to the Elephant like enemies (or enemy Kings)’.

The gold pagoda and gadyana of Kaktiya were called ‘Kesari Varahas' if it consisted the Boar (Varaha) symbol and epithet ending with ‘Kesari’. Rudramadevi was succeeded by her grandson King Pratapadeva; thus we can say, the Kaktiya throne was passed on twice through a female.

This queen of Warangal was an enigma which was not recognised by the later historic traditions. The development of archaeological research and methods showed new a perspective of the past and today this queen is a source of regional pride.

To know more about medieval coinage of India click here