Q) Discuss the Social conditions of the Kakatiyas and also their Cultural contribution to Andhra Pradesh?
Ans:-
From the Mangallu Inscription to The fall of warangal, 1323A.D, Kakatiyas contributed much interms of the Art, Architecture, Literature, Religion and Diverse Culture.
Literature:-
- In telugu Literature, Desi Kavitha was started with Palkuri Somanathudu, who wrote Dvipada Kavyas like Panditha Radhya Charitra and Basava Puranam.
- The art writing street plays was perfected. For example, Preambhiram in Sanskrit was written by Tripuranthaka. It is later translated into telugu as Kreedabhiramam by Vinukonda Vallabhamathyudu.
- First Grammar Book on telugu written as Andhra Bhasha Bhooshanam By Ketana, who also translated Yajnavalkhya Dharma Sastra into Telugu as Vijnaneswari.
- Literature on Administration:-
i. Niti Saram, principles and Values in Administration by Prola-II.
ii. Niti Sastra Muktavali written by Baddena
iii. Purushardha Saram by Siva Devayya - Literature on Dance:-
Nritya Ratnavali and Geetha Ratnavali are important books written by jayapa Senani. Nrtiya Ratnavali talks about the Prerani Nrtiyam, which motivates the soldiers before going to war.
According to Pratapa Charitra, Machaldevi built “Chitrasala”, a school inorder to promote the Paintings.
Architecture:-
Temple Construction, Toranas, Forts were the marvels of that time.
Huge rock torana with grand carvings are established at the entrance of the city.
Temple Constructions:-
Beta-II:- Constructed Beteswara temple and Proleswara Temple.
Prola-II:- Constructed Siddheswara and Padmakshi Temples in Anumakonda and Swayambhu and Kesava temples in Warangal.
Prataparudra-I:- Constructed Rudrewsara or 1000 pillared temple.
Racherla Rudra:- Constructed Ramappa Temple, Bricks of which floats on the water. It marks the civilisational advancements of that time.
Religion:-
During the times of Kakatiyas, Buddhism totally declined. Jainism at early stages and Shaivism and Vaishnavism excelled during their rule.
Jainism:- Early Kakatiyas were followers of Jainism.
As per Orugallu, Khaifiayat, Jains were harassed by Rajaraja Narendra rule. Thatswhy, they shifted their base to Orugallu.
Prola-II’s Anumakonda Inscription starts with Salutations to Jain Gods. His Minister constructed Kada Lala Basadi at Anumakonda.
As per Pandita Radhya Charitra, Devadasayya, destructed more than 500 basadis at Potla Cheruvu.
As per Siddheswara Charitra, With Influence of Visweswara Sambu and Tikkana Somayaji, Ganapathi Deva was said to have persecuted Jains.
Shaivism:- It is golden age for the growth of the Shaivism. Many sects such as the Pashupatas, Kalamukhas, Kapalikas, Golikas and many other excelled during the reign of the Kakatiyas.
Early Kakatiyas such as Beta-II, Durga Raja, Prola-II took Rameswara Pandithulu, Head of Kalamukha Sect at Srisailam as their Master. Whereas, Later Kakatiyas such as Ganapatideva, Rudramma Devi and Pratapa Rudra-II took Visweswara Sambu, who started Golika Sect.
Vaishnavism:-
Vaishnavism took the new turn with advent of Ramanujacharya, who was the propounder of Sri Vaishnavism and strong advent of Visishta Advaita. With his influence, Veera vaishnavism under Bramha Naidu in planadu region became the basis for Social Mobilisation. Bramha Naidu became the strong supporter to the Temple Entry and Chapa Koodu and he even adopted a Harijan Boy. In this way, Vaishnavism tried to eradicate the Caste System by promoting the equality. He even adopted Kannama Dasu, a mala by caste.
Social Conditions:-
During the Kakatiya Rule, Andhra Pradesh witnessed the raise of Shudra Castes like Kamma, Reddy, Balija, Naidu and others. The process of Sanskritisation and Bramhanisation was clearly conspicuous from Chaturvarna as well as the Viswabramhins and Panchalas.
Women:-
According to the Kreedabhi Ramam, Machaldevi, A court dancer received great attention due to her innate abilities at dance, paintings and other arts.
Prostitution was prevalent and it received patronage from the people.
As per Kreedabhi Ramam, Thollu Bommalata was at the centre stage in entertaining the people.
In this way, Kakatiyas contributed much to the culture, art, architecture and made the strong foundation for the progress of culture under Vijayanagara Kingdom.