Rudrama Devi Rani Rudrama Devi ( 1259−1289AD ) was one of the most prominent rulers of the Kakatiya dynasty 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 ) , who ruled at Warangal the capital of Kakateeya Dynasty that had sway over entire Telangana ( Andhra Pradesh State ) and most of the Andhra provinces during 13th century . 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 . Rudramadevi was married to Veerabhadra , Eastern Chalukya n prince of Nidadavolu . Despite initial misgivings by some of her generals who resented a , she suppressed both uprisings within Kakatiya territory and incursions by neighboring kingdoms with the help of others , most notably Gona Gonna Reddy . An able fighter and dynamic ruler , Rudramba defended the kingdom from the Chola s and the Yadava s , earning their respect . She was one of very few female rulers in south India during her time . Rani Rudramma Devi ruled from CE 1262 - 1289 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 . Kakatiyas of Warangal are one of the major dynasties that ruled over Andhra and shaped its history and civilization . The foundation of the Kakatiya Empire was laid in land lying between Godavari and Krishan on a hillock called Hanumakonda . The story of the builders of the empire goes back to the eight and ninth centuries of Christian Era . With Orugallu ( now known as Warangal ) as their capital the kaktiyas ruled over the Telugu country from about 1150 AD to 1323 AD . Biography . Succession . Ganapati Deva , after taking advice from his Prime Minister Sivadevayya , nominated Rudrama Devi as his successor in his last days . When she was only fourteen years old , Rani Rudramma Devi succeeded her father . In the first two or three years of her conjoint rule with her father , the kingdom was thrown into confusion and disorder due to Jatavarma Sundara Pandya I ' s invasion and the disastrous defeat of the Kakatiyas along with their allies on the battle field of Muttukur near Nellore . Though Ganapati was ultimately successful in turning back the tide of invasion , he suffered loss of territory and prestige and his hold over his feudatories and nobles was shaken . Under these circumstances , he retired from active politics . So the real power vested with Rani Rudrama Devi . She used to look after all the administrative matters . From various inscriptions it seems that she started ruling independently from 1261 . She lost both her husband and father in 1266 - 1267 . That was a heavy blow and she was unable to bear up under so much grief . She was totally devastated and it was learnt that she decided to die , but was persuaded by her nobles and ministers to look after the Kingdom . She was crowned in 1269 AD . Reign . Her ascendancy was resented by some nobles and her cousins because she was a female . They later raised a banner of revolt . Even Veera Bhadra ( her husband ) also was jealous of Rudrmadevi ruling the land . She wore male attire and sat on the throne and with iron hand ruled the kingdom keeping the enemies at bay . Pandyas and Cholas from the south Indian peninsula were a great threat and she kept them at bay with great vigour . After her accession she had to fight Harihara deva and Murarideva the cousins who revolted against the lady ruler . She had some efficient nobles like Jaganni deva and Gona Ganna reddy who helped her greatly in suppressing revolts . With regard to the external dangers , the Kalinga King Narasimha I who suffered a defeat previously at the hands of Ganapatideva , took advantage of the distracted condition in the Kakatiya dominions and marched with his forces into the Godavari delta to recover his lost possessons . In the later part of the reign of Rudramadevi , the above provinces came back under her sway . Her commanders Poti Nayaka and Proli Nayaka fought against Kalinga Vira Bhanudeva I , son and successor of Narasimha I , and his accomplices Arjunadeva , the Matsya chief of Oddadi and others and inflicted a crushing defeat on them . The Kakatiya power was thus re - established in the coastal Andhra country . But the biggest threat came from the West in the form of Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri . Rudramadevi defeated Mahadeva Raja the Seuna Yadava Ruler of Devagiri ( Daulatabad in Aurangabad District at present in Maharashtra state ) who invaded Warangal ( earlier known as Orugallu or Ekasilanagaramu ) fort , the capital of the Kakateeya Empire , and chased him away . Mahadeva was desirous to take the advantage of internal unrest in the Kakateya Empire coupled with a female ruler at the top . But little was known to him of her valor and administrative capabilities . She crossed Godavari chasing the Yadava ruler right into his territories and forced him to make peace . The Devagiri king had to pay great amount of ransom to the queen and made peace . Although such treasures gained after victory belonged to the royal house , she distributed the wealth among her troops . In the south the Nellore Kingdom came under the sway of the Pandyas and was placed under their vassals . The Kayastha chief Jannigadeva re - occupied the territories of the Nelluru kingdom and freed them thus from the Pandyan sway . He and his brother Tripurarideva I ( 1270 - 72 A . D . ) continued to rule the Valluru kingdom as the vassals of Rudramadevi . However , with the succession of their younger brother Ambadeva to the throne in 1272 A . D . , the situation underwent a change . Rudramadevi could not tolerate the headstrong and disloyal Ambadeva . By that time Prataprudra , her grandson , become old enough to share the responsibilities of the administration . He was of great valor and extraordinary war planner . He planned a three - prong attack on the Ambadeva . The intention was to weaken all his support systems so that he would not have had enough strength . Of the three , the first was led by the Queen Rudrama Devi and her general Mallikarjuna . However , as the recently discovered Chandupatla ( Nalgonda district ) grant dated 1283 A . D . indicates , Ambadeva seems to have killed Rudrama along with Mallikarjuna Nayaka in battle in that year . However the army of Rudrama Devi was victorious ; later , Prataparudra II , successor of Rudrama , succeeded in completely suppressing the Kayastha revolt . Ambadeva was left with no shape and size to rethink of attacking Kakateeya Empire . It is rumoured she died of her battle injuries in the town of Chandupatla in Andhra Pradesh . Her Rule and Patronage . 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 ( one stone hill ) . Parts of the fort are still standing , including examples of distinctive Kakatiya sculpture . She worshipped goddesses : Bhadrakali , Ekaveera and Padmakshi . She captured important forts like Mulikinadu , Renadu , Eruva , Mutthapi Nadu and Satti . After the death of Rudramadevi most probably in a battle , Prataparudradeva II ( 1296 - 1323 ) , son of her daughter Mummadamma , succeeded to the throne . In fact , Ganapathideva announced Prataparudra as crown prince in his last days . The Muslim invasions of South India started during his reign and finally the Kakateeya Empire came to an end . Legacy . Rudrama Devi was one of the most outstanding queens in Indian history from the Kakateeya dynasty and people still cherish her memories . Her gender did not come on her way in discharging the duties of her exalted office . She took an active part in governing the country and strove hard to promote the best interests of the state . In spite of the wars which frequently disturbed the country , her people remained contented and happy under her rule . Marco Polo , the Venetian traveller who paid a visit to the kingdom probably a little later , speaks highly of her administrative qualities , benign rule and greatness .