Let me tell you a story that’s been rusting in the history books for a while.
It was around the early 1200s. The Warangal Empire in Southern India was under the remarkable rule of King Ganapati Deva of the Kakatiya dynasty. Known for his extraordinary leadership, Ganapati Deva expanded the Warangal kingdom to encompass most of present-day southern Indian states. He tirelessly fortified the Warangal Fort, implemented policies to ensure the security, law, and order of his people, and fostered overall well-being. Under his reign, the kingdom transformed into a flourishing empire with vibrant foreign trade and cultural monuments, some of which still stand today.
Ganapati Deva's childhood was marked by trauma; he lost both his biological and adopted fathers in a war with a neighboring kingdom and was taken captive as a child. Thanks to the loyalty and efficiency of Warangal’s chief of the army, young Ganapati was eventually released unharmed after a series of diplomatic peace talks. These experiences have helped him become a humble, empathetic, logical leader that dedicated his life to the service of his subjects.
Ganapati Deva had a daughter and a couple of sons. When it came time to choose his successor, he made a groundbreaking decision: he named his daughter, Rudrama Devi, as his heir. This choice shocked many, as tradition dictated that the eldest male heir should ascend the throne. He had given all his children equal opportunities and training, and Rudrama Devi had proven herself to be the most efficient and capable. For Ganapati deva, his empire deserved the most capable leader he could find, and the gender was an irrelevant factor.
Under Ganapati Deva’s rule, women thrived in the military, actively participated in foreign trade, and engaged in cultural activities, making Rudrama Devi's leadership a welcome evolution. There were some court royals initially opposed this decision because they feared having a woman leader may expose some sort of weakness and vulnerability to their enemies. Ganapati deva was able to rationalize with most of them using facts that proved Rudrama Devi’s experience, valor and intelligence. The people of the empire were thrilled at the prospect of Rudrama Devi becoming their ruler, and she made use of that opportunity to the fullest, becoming one of the greatest rulers of the Kakatiya dynasty, expanding the empire and caring for her subjects just as efficiently as her father.
Rudrama Devi, mother to a few daughters and stepmother to several stepsons, chose her grandson Pratapa Rudra as her heir based on his capabilities and efficiency, just as her father had done. And Pratapa Rudra did not disappoint either!
When Rudrama was an incredible 83 years old, Aarya Deva, a royal disgruntled by the idea of a woman ruler, dared to revolt. She faced this challenge head-on, leading her troops into battle and triumphantly defeating Aarya Deva's forces. Imagine having the vitality and spirit to not just face but win a war at 83! The historians called her performance in that battle as ‘demonstration of pure energy itself’. Aarya Deva, unable to best her in an open combat, instructed his people to stab her in the back against the rules of warfare at the time, and Rudrama Devi was tragically assassinated. But even then, Aarya Deva couldn't seize control of the Warangal Empire, and her capable grandson Pratapa Rudra ascended the throne, continuing his grandmother’s legacy of strength and leadership.
In today’s world, we talk about challenging the biases, building equal opportunity world, where Ganapati Deva managed to do that very efficiently more than 1000 years ago. He had all the qualities of an extraordinary modern-day leader! He had the awareness and courage to make right decisions even if it meant shaking up societal norms. He was humble, who listened to his advisors, encouraged open dialogue even if it resulted in disagreements. He fostered a culture of reason based on facts and data. And he didn’t hesitate to replace those who were not the right cultural fit for his court. Not only did he carry out his emperor duties with flair, but he also focused on grooming an efficient next-generation leader. The foundations he laid for his daughter led her to build a powerhouse of an empire, whose cultural heritage still stands strong today.
The story of Ganapati Deva and Rudrama Devi is also a powerful reminder of how providing the right opportunities can transform everything. I used to think that everyone getting equal opportunities as something that’s fair for individuals. Rudrama Devi’s legacy compelled me to reflect deeply on the significance of giving the 'right' person the 'right' opportunity, not merely as an act of fairness but to benefit the society as a whole. Imagine, had Ganapati Deva stuck to the old-school tradition of passing the throne to the next male heir, the history would’ve missed out on witnessing the valor and efficiency of Rudrama Devi. The empire would never have witnessed the progress and potential it could unleash under her leadership. It makes you wonder how many opportunities have been lost down the drain due to the biases we carry, sometimes without even realizing it. Ensuring fair opportunities isn't just a favor granted to a specific gender, community, or race; it is about harnessing the full potential of our society, organization, or country. By doing so, we build a stronger, more resilient community capable of achieving greatness together.
And the story also portrays how difficult it is to try to build a fair world. There will always be challenges, setbacks, and sometimes uphill battles to fight. It’s a process that demands unwavering conviction.
Why do I share this story today, you may ask! While it’s helpful to draw lessons from history in general, millions of Americans are at a crossroads this week, with a heavy responsibility on their shoulders to choose a leader that can lead the country in the direction of progress. Not only does sharing this story helps us identify the qualities of the leader that we need for our present-day world, but also gives us an insight into how to choose the next leader. We have the opportunity to think like Ganapati Deva in choosing the right leader that has vision, can strategize, and represent the dignity that the office demands because it matters who holds the office. And it's up to us to make a choice based on qualifications and merit, not biases. The simple yet powerful act of voting can shape history.
Grab this chance to make history, wisely!
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