Hyderabad: A Tamil inscription from the reign of Vikrama Pandya, discovered at the renowned Nataraja temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, has revealed a rare reference to Kakatiya ruler Rani Rudramadevi—offering fresh insights into inter-regional political dynamics of the medieval period.Engraved in classical Tamil verse on the western gopuram of the temple—specifically on the left side of the entrance—the inscription belongs to the period of Vikrama Pandya. While it primarily celebrates the king’s victory over Venadan (present day Travancore) at Podiyil and refers to him with titles such as Bhuvanekavira and Korkaikavalan, its historical significance also lies in what it deliberately omits, said K Muniratnam Reddy, director, epigraphy division, Archaeological Survey of India.“The second and third verses clearly state that Vikrama Pandya did not pursue further conquests to the north because the region was already under the rule of a woman—Rudramadevi, daughter of Kakatiya king Ganapati,” he explained.According to Muniratnam Reddy, the inscription is notable for its acknowledgment of contemporary political boundaries extending beyond present day Tamil Nadu.“This is a rare instance of epigraphic evidence from Tamil Nadu explicitly referring to a woman monarch from the Deccan—Rudramadevi of Warangal,” he said.
