Bhillama V

Last updated
Bhillama V
Chakravartin
Yadavas of Devagiri. Bhillama V. 1185-1193.jpg
Coinage of Yadavas of Devagiri, king Bhillama V (1185-1193). Central lotus blossom, two shri signs, elephant, conch, and “[Bhilla]/madeva” in Devanagari above arrow right
Yadava sovereign ruler
Reignc. 1187-1191 CE
Successor Jaitugi
Yadava king (Chalukya vassal)
Reignc. 1175-1187 CE
PredecessorKaliya-Ballala
Died1191
Issue Jaitugi
Dynasty Seuna (Yadava)
FatherKarna
Religion Hinduism

Bhillama V (r. c. 1175-1191 CE) was the first sovereign ruler of the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Deccan region in India. A grandson of the Yadava king Mullagi, he carved out a principality in present-day Maharashtra by capturing forts in and around the Konkan region. Around 1175 CE, he grabbed the Yadava throne, supplanting the descendants of his uncle and an usurper. Over the next decade, he ruled as a nominal vassal of the Chalukyas of Kalyani, raiding the Gujarat Chaulukya and Paramara territories. After the fall of the Chalukya power, he declared sovereignty around 1187 CE, and fought with the Hoysala king Ballala II for control of the former Chalukya territory in present-day Karnataka. Around 1189 CE, he defeated Ballala in a battle at Soratur, but two years later, Ballala defeated him decisively.

Contents

Rise to power

According to Bhillama's Gadag inscription, he was a son of Karna, and a grandson of the Yadava ruler Mallugi. The 13th century Yadava court poet Hemadri gives a different genealogy for him, but Hemadri's account may be dismissed as unreliable, since he flourished a century after Bhillama. [1]

The Yadavas were originally vassals of the Chalukyas of Kalyani. By Mallugi's time, the Chalukya power had weakened, and Mallugi was fighting with the other Chalukya feudatories, such as the Kakatiyas. After Mallugi, his elder son Amara-gangeya and Amara-gangeya's son Amara-mallugi ruled in quick succession. Their rule was followed by Kaliya-Ballala, who was probably an usurper, and whose relation to Mallugi is unknown. [1] Bhillama's father Karna, the younger son of Mallugi, was probably a subordinate officer or a sub-feudatory. [2]

During the chaotic period following Mallugi's death, Bhillama created a principality for himself by capturing several forts in the Konkan and surrounding regions. First, he defeated the rulers of Srivardhana and Pratyanta-gada (modern Torna). Next, he defeated and killed the ruler of Mangalaveshtaka (modern Mangalwedha). [3] Around 1175 CE, Bhillama grabbed power at the Yadava capital Sinnar, and ascended the throne. [1]

Northern raids

At the time of Bhillama's ascension, several conflicts were happening in southern Deccan. His nominal overlords — the Chalukyas — were busy fighting their former feudatories, such as the Hoysalas and the Kalachuris. Bhillama focused his attention towards the northern regions of Lata (southern Gujarat) and Malwa. Mularaja II, the Chaulukya king of Gujarat, was a minor. Vindhyavarman, the Paramara king of Malwa, had recently managed to restore the Paramara power by ousting the Chaulukyas from Malwa. [3]

The 1189 CE Mutugi inscription of Bhillama boasts that he caused severe troubles to the Malavas (the Paramaras) and the Gurjaras (the Chaulukyas). This appears to be a reference to his raids in Lata and Malwa regions. His general Jahla is said to have won a battle against the Chaulukyas by introducing a mad elephant in midst of the enemy army. Bhillama's raids in Gujarat and Malwa did not result in any territorial annexations, and he was forced to retreat by the Naddula Chahamana ruler Kelhana. [4]

The Mutugi inscription also claims that Bhillama defeated the kings of Anga, Vanga, Nepala and Panchala. However, this claim is not supported by historical evidence, and therefore, appears to be an empty poetic boast. [4] [5]

Conflict with Ballala

Shortly after Bhillama's northern raids, his Chalukya overlord Someshvara IV faced a southern invasion from the Hoysala ruler Ballala. Ballala's attack forced Someshvara to take shelter at Banavasi, with his Kadamba feudatory Kamadeva. When Ballala's army was exhausted in this campaign, Bhillama forced Ballala to retreat, and conquered the former Chalukya capital Kalyani. This conquest probably happened around 1187 CE, when Bhillama first made his claim to an imperial status. According to the later Yadava minister Hemadri, the Hoysala ruler was killed in this battle. It is known that Ballala was not killed in this conflict, so the person mentioned by Hemadri was probably a Hoysala prince responsible for defending Kalyani. [6] According to Hemadri, after this victorious campaign, Bhillama established the Devagiri city, which became the new Yadava capital. [7]

After returning to his capital Dvarasamudra, Ballala reorganized his forces, and launched a fresh march to the north. [8] By June 1189, he had conquered Banavasi and Nolambavadi, as attested by inscriptions. [9] In response, Bhillama marched against him with 200,000-strong infantry and 12,000-strong cavalry. The two armies met at Soratur. In this battle, the Hoysalas decisively defeated Bhillama's forces. [8] Their 1192 Anekere inscription states that Ballala manured the region from Soratur to Belvola with dead bodies of the Seuna soldiers. [9] The Yadava general Jaitrapala (alias Jaitrasimha) fled to Lokkigundi (modern Lakkundi), but Ballala captured the fort and killed him. Ballala went on to capture the important forts of Erambara (modern Yellur), Kurrugod, Gutti (modern Gooty), and Hangal. The Yadavas were driven to the north of the Malaprabha and Krishna rivers, which formed the Yadava-Hoysala border for the next two decades. [8]

Death

During the last years of Bhillama's life, his kingdom extended from the Narmada river in the north to the Malaprabha river in the south, and included nearly all of the present-day Maharashtra (except the Shilahara-ruled Konkan) and northern parts of Karnataka. [5] Shortly after Bhillama's defeat against Ballala in 1191 CE, his son Jaitugi succeeded him on the Yadava throne. An 1198 CE Hoysala inscription states that Ballala "moistened his sword with the blood of the Pandya king, whetted it on the grindstone of Bhillama's head, and sheathed it in the lotus mouth of Jaitugi". The two persons other than Bhillama are known to have been killed by Ballala: Kamadeva, a Pandya ruler of Ucchangi was killed in a battle against the Hoysalas; Jaitugi here refers to Bhillama's general Jaitrapala, who also died fighting the Hoysalas. This has led to speculation that Bhillama also died in a battle against Ballala. [8]

However, the earlier 1192 CE Gadag inscriptions of Ballala do not state that Ballala killed Bhillama, although they boast that he killed Bhillama's "right hand" Jaitrasimha. It is unlikely that Ballala would have failed to boast about his killing of Bhillama, had the Yadava ruler died in a battle. Bhillama most probably died a natural death after suffering a defeat against Ballala. The claim of Ballala "whetting his sword on the grindstone of Bhima's head" appears to a poetic description by the later Hoysala poets. [10]

Cultural activities

Bhillama patronized the scholar Bhaskara, who was the teacher of Nagarjuna (the author of Yogaratnamala). [11] An 1189-90 CE (1111 Shaka) inscription records a donation by Bhillama and others to the Vitthal Temple, Pandharpur. In this inscription, Bhillama is styled as "Chakravartin Yadava". [12]

An 1191 CE inscription records Bhillama's donations to the Trikuteshvara Shiva temple at Gadag. An 1192 CE inscription records a grant by Ballala to the same temple, which confirms that Bhillama was defeated by Ballala. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tailapa II</span> Ahavamalla

Tailapa II, also known as Taila II and by his title Ahavamalla, was the founder of the Western Chalukya dynasty in southern India. Tailapa claimed descent from the earlier Chalukyas of Vatapi, and initially ruled as a Rashtrakuta vassal from the Tardavadi-1000 province in the modern Bijapur district of Karnataka. When the Rashtrakuta power declined following an invasion by the Paramara king Siyaka, Tailapa overthrew the Rashtrakuta king Karka II, and established a new dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Chalukya Empire</span> 10th–12th century empire in western Deccan, South India

The Western Chalukya Empire ruled most of the western Deccan, South India, between the 10th and 12th centuries. This Kannadiga dynasty is sometimes called the Kalyani Chalukya after its regal capital at Kalyani, today's Basavakalyan in the modern Bidar District of Karnataka state, and alternatively the Later Chalukya from its theoretical relationship to the 6th-century Chalukya dynasty of Badami. The dynasty is called Western Chalukyas to differentiate from the contemporaneous Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, a separate dynasty. Prior to the rise of these Chalukyas, the Rashtrakuta empire of Manyakheta controlled most of Deccan and Central India for over two centuries. In 973, seeing confusion in the Rashtrakuta empire after a successful invasion of their capital by the ruler of the Paramara dynasty of Malwa, Tailapa II, a feudatory of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty ruling from Bijapur region defeated his overlords and made Manyakheta his capital. The dynasty quickly rose to power and grew into an empire under Someshvara I who moved the capital to Kalyani.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seuna (Yadava) dynasty</span> Indian dynasty (c. 1187–1317)

The Seuna, Sevuna, or Yadavas of Devagiri was a Medieval Indian dynasty, which at its peak ruled a kingdom stretching from the Narmada river in the north to the Tungabhadra river in the south, in the western part of the Deccan region. Its territory included present-day Maharashtra, North Karnataka and parts of Madhya Pradesh, from its capital at Devagiri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paramara dynasty</span> 9th- to 14th-century dynasty of central India

The Paramara dynasty was an Indian dynasty that ruled Malwa and surrounding areas in west-central India between 9th and 14th centuries. They belonged to the Parmara clan of the Rajputs.

Arjunavarman was an Indian king from the Paramara dynasty, who ruled in the Malwa region of central India.

Simhana (IAST: Siṃhaṇa, also transliterated as Singhana; r. c. 1210-1246 was the most powerful ruler of the Seuna dynasty of Deccan region in India. He expanded his kingdom southwards at the expense of the Hoysalas, and fought the Chaulukyas and the Vaghelas for the control of the Lata region in the north. He also defeated the Paramaras of Malwa, the Shilaharas of Kolhapur and the Rattas of Belgaum. His generals subjugated several insubordinate feudatory chiefs, and the Yadava territory reached its greatest extent during his reign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaulukya dynasty</span> Indian dynasty that ruled Gujarat from c. 940 to 1244

The Chaulukya dynasty, also Solanki dynasty, was a dynasty that ruled parts of what are now Gujarat and Rajasthan in north-western India, between c. 940 CE and c. 1244 CE. Their capital was located at Anahilavada. At times, their rule extended to the Malwa region in present-day Madhya Pradesh. The family is also known as the "Solanki dynasty" in the vernacular literature. They belonged to the Solanki clan of Rajputs.

Munja, also known as Vakpati II, was an Indian ruler from the Paramara dynasty, who ruled in the Malwa region. He is known for consolidating the Paramara kingdom, for patronizing poets and scholars and for achieving the military success against almost all of the neighbouring kingdoms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military career of Bhoja</span>

The 11th century Paramara king Bhoja ruled from his capital at Dhara. The period of his reign is dated approximately 1010 CE to 1055 CE, although some historians believe that he ascended the throne before 1010 CE. Bhoja inherited a kingdom centered around the Malwa region, and made several attempts to expand it varying results. He managed to annex territories as far as northern parts of Konkan, but these territorial gains were short-lived. He fought wars against several of his neighbours, including the Chaulukyas of Gujarat, the Chalukyas of Lata, the Chalukyas of Kalyani, the Chandelas of Jejakabhukti, the Kachchhapaghatas of Gwalior, the Chahamanas of Shakambhari, the Chahamanas of Naddula, and the Kalachuris of Tripuri. He also conflicted with Gaznavid Turk Invaders, Mahmud's desecration of the Somnath temple in Gujarat motivated Bhoja to lead an army against him, however after Somnath raid, Mahmud Gazhnavi chose a more dangerous route via Sindh, to avoid facing the invading powerful armies of Bhoja.

Jayavarman, also known as Ajayavarman, was an Indian king from the Paramara dynasty, who ruled in the Malwa region of central India. He appears to have recaptured the Paramara capital Dhara after a Chaulukya occupation of the city. Sometime later, an usurper named Ballala became the control of the city, and Jayavarman appears to have moved to a newly-created principality in the Bhopal area.

Jaitugi, also known as Jaitrapala, was a ruler of the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Deccan region in India.

Vindhyavarman was an Indian king from the Paramara dynasty, who ruled in the Malwa region of central India. He defeated the Chaulukyas, who had annexed the Paramara territory to their own kingdom in the preceding years.

Subhatavarman, also known as Sohada, was an Indian king from the Paramara dynasty, who ruled in the Malwa region of central India.

Bhima II, also known as Bhola Bhima, was an Indian king who ruled parts of present-day Gujarat. He was a member of the Chaulukya dynasty. During his reign, the dynasty's power declined greatly as a result of rebellions by the feudatories as well as external invasions by the Ghurids, the Paramaras, and the Yadavas of Devagiri. The kingdom, however, was saved by his generals Arnoraja, Lavanaprasada and Viradhavala, whose family established the Vaghela dynasty.

Kelhana-deva was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula, as a Chaulukya vassal. He participated in the 1178 CE Battle of Kasahrada, in which the Chaulukya forces defeated the Ghurid ruler Muhammad of Ghor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramachandra of Devagiri</span> Raja-i-Rajan (as a feudatory of Alauddin Khalji)

Ramachandra, also known as Ramadeva, was a ruler of the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Deccan region in India. He seized the throne from his cousin Ammana, after staging a coup in the capital Devagiri. He expanded his kingdom by fighting his Hindu neighbours such as the Paramaras, the Vaghelas, the Hoysalas, and the Kakatiyas.

Krishna, also known as Kanha or Kannara, was a ruler of the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Deccan region in India. He successfully invaded the Paramara kingdom of Malwa, and fought inconclusive wars against the Vaghelas and the Hoysalas. The Yadava inscriptions also credit him or his generals with several other victories, but these claims are of doubtful veracity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahadeva of Devagiri</span>

Mahadeva was a ruler of the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Deccan region in India. He succeeded his brother Krishna on the throne.

Bhillama II was a ruler of the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Deccan region in India. He was a vassal of the Kalyani Chalukya ruler Tailapa II, and played an important role in Tailapa's victory against the Paramara king Munja.

Rudra-deva was a Kakatiya king, who ruled parts of the present-day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in southern India. He was the first sovereign ruler of his dynasty.

References

  1. 1 2 3 A. S. Altekar 1960, p. 519.
  2. A. S. Altekar 1960, p. 521.
  3. 1 2 A. S. Altekar 1960, p. 522.
  4. 1 2 A. S. Altekar 1960, p. 523.
  5. 1 2 T. V. Mahalingam 1957, p. 142.
  6. A. S. Altekar 1960, p. 524.
  7. T. V. Mahalingam 1957, p. 140.
  8. 1 2 3 4 A. S. Altekar 1960, p. 525.
  9. 1 2 T. V. Mahalingam 1957, p. 141.
  10. A. S. Altekar 1960, p. 526.
  11. David Gordon White 2012, p. 112.
  12. Christian Lee Novetzke 2016, pp. 93–94.
  13. David N. Lorenzen 1972, p. 119.

Bibliography

  • A. S. Altekar (1960). Ghulam Yazdani (ed.). The Early History of the Deccan. Vol. VIII: Yādavas of Seuṇadeśa. Oxford University Press. OCLC   59001459. Archived from the original on 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  • Christian Lee Novetzke (2016). The Quotidian Revolution. Columbia University Press. ISBN   9780231542418.
  • David Gordon White (2012). The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India. University of Chicago Press. ISBN   9780226149349.
  • David N. Lorenzen (1972). The Kāpālikas and Kālāmukhas: Two Lost Śaivite Sects. University of California Press. ISBN   978-0-520-01842-6.
  • T. V. Mahalingam (1957). "The Seunas of Devagiri". In R. S. Sharma (ed.). A Comprehensive history of India: A.D. 985-1206. Vol. 4 (Part 1). Indian History Congress / People's Publishing House. ISBN   978-81-7007-121-1.