Which queen of the Kakatiya dynasty ruled from Warangal in the Deccan region and is remembered as one of the earliest prominent women rulers in South Indian history?

Introduction / Context:
The Kakatiya dynasty ruled parts of present day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with Warangal as their capital. Among their rulers, one queen stands out as a rare example of a woman monarch in medieval South India. She is celebrated for her administrative ability and military leadership. This question asks you to identify that queen, making it an important item in both gender studies and regional history.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The question mentions a queen of the Kakatiya dynasty, her rule over Warangal, and her status as an early prominent woman ruler. The options include Rudramadevi, Ahilyadevi, Bhagwati, Bhanumati, and Jijabai. We assume that the learner knows that the Kakatiyas are a distinct dynasty separate from the Marathas or the Holkars, which are associated with other famous women like Ahilyabai Holkar and Jijabai, the mother of Shivaji.

Concept / Approach:
Rani Rudramadevi was a famous queen of the Kakatiya dynasty who ruled during the thirteenth century. She is known for continuing the policies of her predecessors, defending her kingdom against external threats, and managing administration from Warangal. Other names in the options belong either to different regions and periods or are not directly associated with ruling as queens regnant. Therefore, the correct approach is to recall that Rudramadevi is specifically tied to the Kakatiyas and Warangal.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the dynasty in question, which is the Kakatiya dynasty of the Deccan region. Step 2: Recall that Warangal served as the capital of the Kakatiyas during their peak. Step 3: Remember that Rudramadevi, also called Rani Rudrama Devi, was a ruling queen of this dynasty in the thirteenth century. Step 4: Check the other names. Ahilyadevi suggests Ahilyabai Holkar of Malwa, which is a different context. Jijabai was the mother of Shivaji, not a Kakatiya queen. Step 5: Conclude that Rudramadevi is the queen of the Kakatiya dynasty who ruled from Warangal.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbooks on South Indian history and culture consistently mention Rani Rudramadevi as a major female ruler of the Kakatiya dynasty. She is often highlighted along with other famous women like Razia Sultan when discussing women rulers in medieval India. Descriptions of Warangal, its fortifications, and the Kakatiya period repeatedly link the city to Rudramadevi. Since the other names in the options are tied to different dynasties or roles, this confirms that she is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ahilyadevi refers to Ahilyabai Holkar, who ruled the Malwa region in the eighteenth century and was not a Kakatiya queen. Bhagwati and Bhanumati are not widely known as rulers of Warangal or as Kakatiya monarchs. Jijabai was the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and played an important role in his upbringing, but she did not rule the Kakatiya kingdom from Warangal.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse different women rulers and may pick Ahilyadevi or Jijabai simply because they recognise the names. Another pitfall is forgetting which region each female figure is associated with. A practical way to avoid errors is to remember a clear mapping: Rudramadevi with Kakatiya and Warangal, Ahilyabai Holkar with Malwa and Indore, and Jijabai with the Marathas and Shivaji. This mental mapping helps answer many such questions correctly.

Final Answer:
The queen of the Kakatiya dynasty who ruled from Warangal was Rudramadevi.