Question

Whose army was defeated by the army of Kakatiya rulers in 1303 at Warangal?
1. of Ilutmish
2. of Balban
3. Alauddin Khalji
4. of Muhammad Tughlaq

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Alauddin Khalji

The correct answer is Alauddin Khalji.

• Alauddin Khalji's army was defeated by the army of Kakatiya rulers in 1303 at Warangal. 
• In 1303, the first attempt by Alauddin to conquer Warangal ended in a disaster as the army of the Kakatiya dynasty defeated him.
• The Kakatiya king, Prataparudra II, raised a well-equipped army and Alauddin's army, which was led by Malik-ud-din and Jhaju.
  • Kakatiyas is an Andhra dynasty that flourished in the 12th century CE.
  • The Kakatiya dynasty ruled from Warangal (Telangana) from CE 1083-1323.
• Hence, option 3 is correct.

• Alauddin Khalji:
  • He was an emperor of the Khalji dynasty that ruled the Delhi Sultanate in the Indian subcontinent.
  • Alauddin instituted a number of significant administrative changes, related to revenues, price controls, and society.
  • He is noted for repulsing the Mongol invasions of India.
• Kakatiya Dynasty:
  • A temple constructed by emperor Ganapati Deva, a mighty ruler of the Kakatiya dynasty.
    •  Dharanikota (Andhra Pradesh) has been converted into an abode of local goddess Balusulamma (Goddess Durga).
  • The presiding deity at this 13th-century temple was Kakati Devi, the tutelary deity of Kakatiya rulers.
  • Due to ravages of time and for no upkeep, the presiding deity got damaged.
  • The villagers of Dharanikota, who had no knowledge about the past of the temple, installed the Balusulamma idol and started worshipping.
  • They were known for the construction of a network of tanks for irrigation and drinking water and thereby gave a big boost to the overall development of the region.
  • Telangana has launched a massive rejuvenation movement in the form of “Mission Kakatiya” which involves the restoration of irrigation tanks and lakes/minor irrigation sources built by the Kakatiya dynasty.
  • There are hundreds of Hindu temples built under the patronage of Kakatiya kings like Ganapati Deva, Rudrama Devi, and Prataparudra of the Kakatiya dynasty. 
  • Thousand Pillar Temple or Rudreshwara Swamy Temple, Telangana.
  • It is a star-shaped, triple shrine (Trikutalayam) dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva, and Surya.