Stone inscription indicates the hoary past of Kakatiya dynasty

A 13th century stone inscription erected to commemorate the birth celebrations of Rani Rudrama Devi, a popular ruler of Kakatiya dynasty, is lying in a state of neglect at Mandadam village in Thullur mandal, now part of Capital region of Andhra Pradesh.

The inscription, known popularly as Malkapuram inscription, is a rare archaeological find commemorating the achievements of Kakatiya dynasty.

“The stone inscription is yet another interesting archeological find and was erected by Emperor Ganapati Deva, a mighty ruler of Kakatiya dynasty who ruled between 1199 AD to 1261AD. Since he has no sons, he coronated his daughter Rudrama Devi as his successor and latter ruled for another 30 years, scripting a golden chapter in the 13th century,’’ Chief Executive Officer, Cultural Centre Vijayawada, Eemani Sivanagi Reddy told The Hindu on Thursday.

Erected on a huge granite pillar measuring 14.6 X 2.9 X2.9 feet, the inscription has 182 lines engraved in Sanskrit and Telugu indicating the birth of Rudrama Devi, extent of land donated to Visweswara temple and lists out the charitable works taken up in the village including, a rest house, a maternity home and a hospital attached to the temple.

Historical texts suggest that Ganapati Deva had gifted the two villages of Mandadam and Velagapudi to Sivacharya, spiritual preceptor of Golaki Matham at Mandadam.

“It is also interesting to note that food and medicine at the matham was provided to all people irrespective of caste and creed in those days, a symbol of benevolence of the Kakatiya dynasty,’’ Professor Nagi Reddy said.

The inscription also referred to an educational building, presumably a college for teaching Sanskrit and Shivite texts.

But the stone inscription presently lying in a state of neglect on the outskirts of the village, is in danger of being lost forever, once the construction of new Capital begins and archaeologists worry that the rare finding could be dismantled.