Contemporary inscriptions of Kakatiya rulers, their officials, and literary works of the period provide some information about the nature of Kakatiya administration. The Kakatiyas followed the age-old system of hereditary monarchy. Even though they were sudras, they adhered to the principles laid down by political thinkers like Narada, Sukra, and Kautilya. They introduced a popular and sound administration. The King was the supreme head of the State and administration. There was no uniform opinion among historians about the nature of the Kakatiya administration. Burton Stein, an eminent American historian, stated that the nature of Kakatiya polity was very close to the Cholas, termed a ‘Segmentary State’. However, most native historians like C.V. Ramachandra Rao argued that there is no similarity between Kakatiya polity and the Cholas’ Segmentary State. Learned scholar Romila Thapar described Kakatiya polity as a ‘Metropolitan’ State, similar to Mauryan polity. Most scholars characterized the nature of Kakatiya polity as a decentralized monarchy.

Central Government

The King was the supreme head of the State, serving as the head of the army and justice. He honored the principles laid down by earlier political thinkers. The King was assisted by a group of council of ministers and officials in the management of the State. Pradhani, Amatya, Mantri, and Senadhipathi were important members of the Central Council. The King presided over all meetings, and the feudatory kings were also taken into confidence. The entire State administration was divided into 72 Departments or Niyogas. A contemporary work, Purusharthasaram of Shivadevayya, supports this information. The head of the 72 Niyogas was called Bahattara-niyogadhipathi. The King personally led the army whenever the situation demanded. The credit for recognizing the right of the daughter on the Royal throne goes to Kakatiya Kings.

 Provincial Administration

The political authority of Kakatiyas greatly expanded over the entire Andhradesa due to their military achievements. From the period of Ganapatideva, their kingdom was divided into rastras or provinces, Sthalas, and Nadus. An inscription dated 1313 CE from Srisailam during the period of Prataparudra-II provides details about provincial and local administration. It mentioned some provincial units like Kammanadu, Sabbinadu, Pakanadu, Renadu, Venginadu, and Mulkinadu. Various epigraphs found in Warangal, Anumakonda, Matterwada, and Orugallu are mentioned as ‘Sthalas’. Each Sthala roughly consisted of 20 villages. Provincial Governors and in-charge officers of Sthalas functioned according to the rules laid down by the center.

Village Administration

The village stood as the lowest unit of the entire administration of Kakatiyas. The twelve village servants or employees, known as ‘Ayagars’ or panniddaru Ayagars, took responsibility for serving the villagers. Among them were Karnam, Reddy, Purohit, blacksmith, carpenter, goldsmith, etc. The Ayagars were given lands or mera in crop for their services. Tax exemption was granted for the lands given to Ayagars. Karnam, Reddy, and Talari were chief Government Servants at the village level.

Military organization – Nayankara System

Kakatiya rulers were known for their sound military organization. Chaturangabalas comprised their army. They built many forts, and Nayankara units were created. They were given some villages, and Nayakas were asked to fix the number of forces. Prataparudra’s Nitisaram describes the appointment of Nayakas and the allotment of villages by the King to them. Nayakas maintained a fixed number of horses, infantry, and elephants. Land became the link between the King and the Nayaka. The subordinate rulers of Kakatiyas also maintained an army for the King. During the period of Prataparudra-II, the Nayankara Units were reorganized. The Nayankara system became more active under Vijayanagar rulers.

 Judicial System

The Kakatiyas followed the judicial system of earlier times. The King was the chief judge. The court was referred to as Dharmasthanam in contemporary sources. At the village level, Karnam, Reddy, and Talari exercised judicial and police powers. In Guntur epigraphs, boundary disputes between villages were recorded. The King deputed the head of the village and Mahajans to solve issues. Even canal disputes were resolved by judicial officials.

Examine the administrative structure of the Kakatiya dynasty. How did this structure contribute to the effective governance of the kingdom?