Ganapatideva selected and nominated his daughter Rudramadevi as his successor; she took the reins of the State in the year 1263 CE. She was well trained in warfare and state affairs by her father. Her twenty-six years of rule witnessed all-round progress in the kingdom. She ruled her people with great spirit and crushed the revolt of her cousins, Harihara and Murari.
Rudramadevi enjoyed the services of many loyal and experienced officials, including Kayasta Jannigadeva, Tripurari, and Gonaganna Reddy. Recherla Prasaditya, Malyala Gundiya, and Induluri Annayya also served under her. Ganga and Yadava rulers invaded Rudrama’s kingdom, but she defeated them. Her authority was established over the Godavari region; Mahadeva, Yadava king, suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Rudrama’s forces. Recherla Prasaditya, her General, led the army against the Yadavas. Velugotivaari Vamsavali described Prasaditya as Kakatiya Rajya Sthapanacharya. After his defeat, matrimonial relations developed between Kakatiyas and Yadavas. Ellannadeva, a member of the Yadava family, married Rudrama’s daughter.
The last stage of Rudramadevi’s rule was disturbed due to the revolt of her official, Kayasta Ambedeva. According to the Tripurantakam Inscription, Ambadeva, along with his supporters, challenged Rudramadevi. So she marched along with her forces to crush him. However, according to the Chanduptla epigraph dated 1289 CE, she died in her struggle with Ambadeva. She was succeeded by her grandson Paataparudra-II.
