Jaitugi I

Jaitugi I succeeded the throne after his father Bhillama`s rule in Devagiri. Jaitugi was also known as Jaitrapal. Like his predecessors, he too was interested in expanding his empire. In order to achieve this end, he had an able general by his side, Murari Kesava. Jaitugi`s brothers, Mallideva and Sahadeva were his army commanders. Jaitugi`s first expedition was against Ballala II from Kisukad and Belvola but it resulted in a failure. However, he was successful in capturing the eastern portion of Sindavadi. The latter is now known as the Adoni Taluk of Bellary District .

Jaitugi I further overpowered the Pandyas of Nolambavadi he could not extend the boundary of his kingdom further south. Meanwhile the northern part of the Kurnool District seemed to have passed into the hands of the Sevunas. The kingdom of the Yadava Dynasty now extended up to the confluence of the Krishna River and the Tungabhadra River. This brought Jaitugi near the border of the kingdom of the Kakatiya. The Kakatiya Manadeva was defeated by Jaitugi and killed.

The Kakatiya kingdom was powerless before Jaitugi. He seemed to have successfully fought with Anangabhima II of the Ganga dynasty of Kalinga and Kulottunga III of the Imperial Chola dynasty . Jaitugi was kind to young Ganapati, released him, and placed him on his paternal throne. Like his father Jaitugi also waged wars against his neighbours to the north of the Narmada River. Jaitugi came into clash with the forces of Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak, who was devastating Gujarat at that time.

The king ruled at least up to 1198 AD and was succeeded by his son Singhana about the year 1200 AD. Jaitugi was patron of learning too. He had Mukundaraja, the author of `Paramamrita` and Vikeksindhu, another Vedanta exponent as his spiritual teachers.