Which Kakatiya monarch issued the famous Motupalli Abhaya Shasanam inscription to encourage foreign trade by reducing duties and offering protection to merchant ships?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Motupalli Abhaya Shasanam inscription was issued by the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva to boost international maritime trade by granting safety guarantees and lowering customs duties for merchants arriving at the port. Subsequent rulers like Rudrama Devi continued trade patronage, but the foundational trade charter bears Ganapati Deva's name. Medieval inscriptions serve as primary historical sources for economic history in South India.