Ganapati (Kakatiya dynasty)

Ganapati
Sakala-desha-pratishthapanacharya
Kakatiya ruler
Reign	c. 1199-1262 CE
Predecessor	Mahadeva
Successor	Rudrama-devi
Dynasty	Kakatiya
Father	Maha-deva

Ganapati-deva (r. c. 1199-1262) was the longest reigning monarch of the Kakatiya dynasty of southern India. He brought most of the Telugu-speaking region in present-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana under the Kakatiya influence by war or diplomacy.

Ganapati's father Mahadeva was killed in a conflict against the Seuna (Yadava) kingdom in 1198-1199, and Ganapati remained in Yadava captivity for some time. The Kakatiya commander Recherla Rudra administered the kingdom in Ganapati's name during this period, protecting it against invaders and rebels.

Pakhal stone Inscription and Garavapadu Grant plates of Gajapati deva says that the Kakatiyas were the descendents of Karikala Chola^[1]

After his release in 1199, Ganapati consolidated his rule over the kingdom, and conquered the Coastal Andhra region in a series of campaigns. He also fought with the Eastern Gangas for the control of the southern Kalinga and Vengi regions: these campaigns had mixed results, with Kakatiya control limited to the south of the Godavari River. Ganapati supported the Nellore Choda chiefs Tikka and his son Manuma-siddhi II against rival claimants to the throne of Nellore. Towards the end of his reign, he suffered setbacks against the Pandyas, and retired after appointing his daughter Rudrama as his successor.^{[citation needed]}