Ganapatideva was one of the greatest rulers of Medieval South India. His long rule of nearly more than six decades expanded the territorial authority of Kakatiyas over coastal Andhra. He also came into conflict with Yadava rulers. Among his contemporaries were Jaitrapala, Singana, and Mahadeva of the Yadava dynasty, Viraballala I, and Narasimhadeva-II of the Hoyasala dynasty, and Prithvishwara of Velanadu. The Kakatiya army led by the King himself scored grand victories. Prithvishwara, the ruler of Velanadu, and his supporters were crushed by Ganapatideva. His forces next conquered Divisima after defeating its ruler, Pinna Choda of the Ayya family. Malayala Chauda, the capable commander of Ganapatideva, played a significant role in this victory. However, Ganapatideva permitted the Divi ruler to rule his principality as a subordinate to him and entered into a matrimonial alliance with the Divi ruler. Ganapatideva married Pina Choda’s two daughters, Naaramba and Peramba. These victories established the sway of Kakatiyas over the entire Godavari. The Telugu people of Telangana and Andhra region were united under Kakatiya rule. He ruled his people with great care.
Ganapatideva helped Nellore Telugu Choda King Manumasiddhi, son of Tikkabhupala, against his enemies. In 1208 CE, the Kakatiya forces defeated all the opponents of Manumasiddhi and installed him on the Nellore throne. After this victory, Kakatiya forces marched on to Kanchi and defeated the local ruler. Tikkabhupala, king of Nellore Telugu Choda kingdom and friend of Ganapatideva, died. His son Manumasiddhi lost his seat to his rivals. Under these conditions, Manumasiddhi deputed his court poet Tikkanna to the court of Ganapatideva with a request for help. The Kakatiya forces led by Induluri Somaya achieved success over the opponents of Manumasiddhi. Kayasta Gangaya Sahani, the General of Ganapatideva, also defeated Vijayaganda Gopala and others. Later, Gangaya Sahani was appointed as Bahattara Niyogadhipati by Ganapatideva.
Ganapatideva, in his last years, came into conflict with the Pandyan army. The main reason for this conflict was that Pandyan forces attacked Nellore Telugu Chola kingdom. Ganapatideva led his army to protect Manumasiddhi-II. But, in the battle of Muttukur (Nellore) fought in 1263 CE, Kakatiya forces suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan. Manumasiddhi-II lost his life, and Nellore was annexed to the Pandyan kingdom. After this defeat, Ganapatideva retired from active political life and nominated his daughter Rudramadevi as his successor to the throne. Ganapatideva’s rule of nearly six decades made Kakatiyas popular in entire South India. He was a great administrator, statesman, and a great personality. He strengthened the matrimonial relations with all powerful families. He gave his daughter Rudramadevi to Chalukya Veerabhadra, the prince of Nidodhavolu. He reorganised his army and completed the construction of Warangal fort. He transferred the capital from Hanmakonda to Warangal.