The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c15.s2.t3.2

v2.c15.s2.t3.2

*Gaṇapati's captivity.* The death of Mahādēva and the captivity of Gaṇapati, his son and heir to the throne, at Dēvagiri, led to the outbreak of disorders in the kingdom. The nobles rose in revolt, and the rulers of the neighbouring states invaded the country. Of the foreign invaders who appeared at this time, the names of only two, king Nāgati whose identity has otherwise not yet been established, and the Chōḷa emperor Kulōttuṅga III, are known. The latter, according to one of his inscriptions, ‘subdued the Vaḍugus (Telugus) who were fierce in war and (thus) brought Vēṅgai-maṇḍalam under his sway’.¹ Kulōttuṅga III effected his entry into Warangal by lavish bribery and gifts of gold. But Rēcherla Rudra, the commander-in-chief of the previous ruler, saved the kingdom from disintegration. ‘He forsooth cut off the head of a haughty feudatory, and set it up for public view, stuck upon the top of a lofty flag-staff, as a scarecrow to frighten the flocks of these wild beasts that are hostile kings.’² King Nāgati, threatened by the pennons fluttering from the lances of Rudra’s army, speedily took to flight. Kulōttuṅga III evidently followed his example. ‘When the fortune of the Kākati through error had set her foot among many sharp thorns, he (Rudra) himself by the might of his arm forcibly crushed and removed them and very firmly established her in security.’³ Rudra appears to have taken the reins of government into his own hands in the absence of his master; for the titles Kākatīya-rājya-bhāra-dhaurēya and Kākati-rājya-samartha⁴ associated with his name clearly show that he carried on the administration in the name of his lord and sovereign.