UpdateBot at 11:54, 8 December 2021

2021-12-08T11:54:53Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{coord|17.956286|79.616053|display=title}}
{{Infobox building
|name=Kakatiya Kala Thoranam
|image=Warangal_fort.jpg
|building_type= [[Arch]]
|architectural_style=
|structural_system=
|location=[[Warangal]], [[Telangana]], India
|completion_date= circa 1200 CE
}}

'''Kakatiya Kala Thoranam''' (also called '''Warangal Gate''') is a historical [[arch]] in the [[Warangal district]], of the Indian state of [[Telangana]]. The [[Warangal Fort]] has four ornamental gates which originally formed the gates to the destroyed great Shiva temple which are known as Kakatiya Kala Thoranam or Warangal Gates. The architectural feature of these historical arches of the Warangal Fort has been adopted as the symbol of the [[Kakatiya Dynasty]] and has been officially incorporated as the [[Emblem of Telangana]] for the state of Telangana.<ref name=Symbol>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140530/nation-current-affairs/article/kakatiya-arch-charminar-telangana-state-logo|title= Kakatiya arch, Charminar in Telangana state logo|access-date=1 July 2015|date= 30 May 2014|work=The Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> These gates or arches in the Warangal Fort are said to have similarities with gateways of the [[Sanchi]] stupa; this fact has been endorsed by many.{{Sfn|Prasādarāvu|1989|p=35}}

The arch was built around 12th century during the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/telangana-government-launches-its-own-logo/1/206771.html|title=Telangana government launches its own logo|date=31 May 2014|work= Business Today}}</ref> The Monument was included in the "[[List of World Heritage Sites in India#Tentative list of Heritage sites|tentative list]]" of [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]. The Monument was submitted by the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO on 10/09/2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5573/|title=The Qutb Shahi Monuments of Hyderabad Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Charminar - UNESCO World Heritage Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|last=Centre|website=whc.unesco.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/EDU/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=EDU&BaseHref=TOIM%2F2012%2F06%2F24&ViewMode=HTML&PageLabel=22&EntityId=Ar02201&AppName=1 |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622005212/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/EDU/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=EDU&BaseHref=TOIM%2F2012%2F06%2F24&ViewMode=HTML&PageLabel=22&EntityId=Ar02201&AppName=1 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Kakatiya Kala Thoranam (Warangal Gate) and Ruins.jpg|thumb|upright|Kakatiya Kala Thoranam (Warangal Gate) and Ruins]]
The Kakatiya Kala Thoranam, or arch, is an extensive ornamented stone sculpture; reflective of four identical gates in the Warangal Fort, which was part of the great Swayambhusiva temple of [[Shiva]] in the fort built by Ganapati Deva (1199-1262) during the 12th century.{{Sfn|Singh|2007|p=297}} His daughter [[Rudrama Devi]] and [[Prataparudra|Pratap Rudra II]] of the Kakatiya Dynasty added more fortifications to the fort which was laid in three concentric circles.{{Sfn|Eaton|2005|p=20}} The four gateways (''char kaman'') were part of the temple which was destroyed by the [[Muslim]] invader [[Muhammad bin Tughluq|Jauna Khan]] during the [[Siege of Warangal (1323)|1323 invasion]], as a part of their policy followed after their victories over territories, to desecrate [[Hindu temple]]s.{{Sfn|Eaton|2005|p=20}} The great temple of which the gates were integral is said to be comparable to the size and splendor of the [[Rudra Mahalaya Temple]] at [[Siddhpur]] in [[Gujarat]].{{Sfn|Cousens|1900|p=47}}

==Features==
A depiction of the arch forms the main symbol in the [[Emblem of Telangana]] for the state of Telangana.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/charminar-kakatiya-arch-in-t-logo/article6062828.ece|title=Charminar, Kakatiya arch in ‘T’ logo|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Has-Telangana-government-got-the-emblem-wrong/articleshow/36023572.cms|title=Has Telangana government got the emblem wrong?|work= The Times of India}}</ref> This logo or emblem, in [[English language|English]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Urdu language|Urdu]] is portrayed with a combination of green and gold, representing "Bangaru Telangana" (meaning: "Golden Telangana"). Also inscribed on the logo are the names of the [[Government of Telangana]] in English, and as "Telangana Prabhutvam" in Telugu and as "Telangana Sarkar" in Urdu. At the base of the logo there is an inscription in Sanskrit which says "[[Satyameva Jayate]]" (meaning: Truth shall triumph).<ref name=Symbol/>

The central part of the fort, identified as the archaeological zone, contains the ruins of the great Swayambhusiva temple, now seen with only the free-standing "Entrance Portals", or gates on the four sides, all being similar in design. Each gate has twin pillars with [[Bracket (architecture)|angled brackets]] over which lies the huge [[lintel]]; the height of this gate being {{Convert|10|m}}. The gates have extensive intricate carvings of "lotus buds, looped garlands, mythical animals, and birds with foliated tails". They do not depict any religious symbols, said to be the reason for its preserved condition for not being destroyed by Muslim invaders.{{Sfn|Michell|2013|p=296}}{{Sfn|Cousens|1900|p=47}} The gates at the northern and southern ends are {{Convert|480|ft}} apart. The eastern and western gates are at a distance of {{Convert|433|ft}} apart.{{Sfn|Cousens|1900|p=47}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last= Cousens |first=Henry |title=Lists of antiquarian remains in His Highness the Nizam's territories|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R1hBAQAAIAAJ&pg=PR5|year=1900|publisher=Office of the superintendent of government printing, India}}
*{{cite book|last=Eaton|first=Richard M. |title=A Social History of the Deccan, 1300-1761: Eight Indian Lives|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DNNgdBWoYKoC|date=17 November 2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-25484-7}}
*{{cite book|last= Michell |first=George |title=Southern India: A Guide to Monuments Sites & Museums|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GdBbBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT297|date=1 May 2013|publisher=Roli Books Private Limited|isbn=978-81-7436-903-1}}
*{{cite book|last=Prasādarāvu|first=Calasāni|title=Kakatiya Sculpture: A Critical Study of the Sculptural and Artistic Relics and Monuments of Telangana During the Years 1,000 to 1,323 A.D. Under the Kakatiya Rulers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3mfqAAAAMAAJ|year=1989|publisher=Rekha}}
*{{cite book|last= Singh |first=Sarina |title=South India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ywx4f4WczMEC&pg=PA297|year=2007|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74104-704-2}}

[[Category:History of Telangana]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Telangana]]
[[Category:Arches and vaults in India]]
[[Category:Cultural heritage of India]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in India]]
[[Category:Hanamkonda district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Warangal]]
[[Category:Destroyed temples]]

Kakatiya Kala Thoranam - Revision history

UpdateBot at 11:54, 8 December 2021