Rani Rudrama Devi

Rani Rudrama Devi was one of the most prominent rulers of the Kakatiya dynasties on the Deccan Plateau, being one of the few ruling queens in Indian history.

She was born, as Rudramba, to King Ganapathideva (or Ganapatideva, or Ganapathi Devudu). As Ganapathideva had no sons, Rudramma was formally designated as a son through the ancient Putrika ceremony and given the male name of Rudradeva. When she was only fourteen years old, Rani Rudramma Devi succeeded her father.

Despite initial misgivings by some of her generals who resented a woman as a ruler, she suppressed both uprisings within Kakatiya territory and incursions by neighboring kingdoms. An able fighter and dynamic ruler, Rudramba defended the kingdom from the Cholas and the Yadavas, earning their respect.

Among Rani Rudramma Devi’s accomplishments during her reign was the completion of Warangal Fort, begun by her father, in the Kakatiya capital of Warangal. Parts of the fort are still standing, including examples of distinctive Kakatiya sculpture. Rudramma Devi remains one of India’s most important women.

Legend has it that due to her upbringing as a boy, Rani Rudrama was not much a connoisseur of music and art, but she was quite taken by a form of Shiva Tandavam - Perini. She found this dance more of an exercise to the soldiers and had it made part of the training of the royal force.