About the empire
Originally a feudatory of the Eastern Chalukyas of Kalyani, the dynasty became paramount in the Deccan under Bhillama (c.1187–91), who founded Devagiri (later Daulatabad) as his capital. Under Bhillama’s grandson Singhana (reigned c.1210–47) the dynasty reached its height, as the Yadava campaigned against the Hoysalas in the south, the Kakatiyas in the east and the Paramaras and Chalukyas in the north. Later, this rulers continued expansionist wars with varying success. During the reign of the last Yadava king, Ramachandra reigned (c.1271 - 1309), a Muslim army commanded by the Delhi sultan Ala-Din Khalji invaded the kingdom in 1294 and imposed tributary status. A later attempt to throw off the vassalage brought another Delhi army, Ramachandra was imprisoned but was later released and remained loyal to Delhi until his death. In a further attempt, his son and successor died in battle and the kingdom was annexed by the Khalji empire in 1317. The earliest historical ruler of the Seuna/Yadava dynasty can be dated to the mid-9th century, but the origin of the dynasty is uncertain. Dvaraka was associated with Yadu's descendants and the dynasty's claim of connection with that city may simply be a result of their claim of descent from Yadu rather than their actual geographic origin. The Hoysalas, the southern neighbours of the dynasty similarly claimed descent from Yadu and claimed to be the former lords of Dvaraka. The territory of the early Yadava rulers was located in present-day Maharashtra. However, Marathi, the language of present-day Maharashtra, began to appear as the dominant language in the dynasty's inscriptions only in the 14th century, before which Kannada and Sanskrit were the primary language of their inscriptions. Marathi appears in around two hundred Yadava inscriptions, but usually as translation of or addition to Kannada and Sanskrit text. The earliest instance of the using the term "Marathe" as a self-designation appears in a 1311 inscription recording a donation to the Pandharpur temple, towards the end of the dynasty's rule.
Famous kings of their empire
The earliest historically attested ruler of the dynasty is Dridhaprahara (c. 860-880), who is said to have established the city of Chandradityapura (modern Chandor). He probably rose to prominence by protecting the people of Khandesh region from enemy raiders, amid the instability brought by the Pratihara Rashtrakuta war.
Dridhaprahara son and successor was Seunachandra (c. 880-900), after whom the dynasty was called Seuna vamsha and their territory was called Seuna Desha. He probably became a Rashtrakuta feudatory after helping the Rashtrakutas against their northern neighbours, the Paramaras. He established a new town called Seunapura (possibly modem Sinnar).
Not much information is available about Seunachandra's successors - Dhadiyappa (or Dadhiyappa) Bhillama-I and Rajugi (or Rajiga) - who ruled during c. 900-950. The next ruler Vandugi (also Vaddiga-I or Baddiga) raised the family's political status by marrying into the imperial Rashtrakuta family. He married Vohivayya a daughter of Dhorappa, who was a younger brother of the Rashtrakuta emperor Krishna-III Vandugi participated in Krishna's military campaigns, which may have increased his fief, although this cannot be said with certainty.
For unknown reasons, the Yadava power seems to have declined over the next decade, during the reigns of Vesugi-II (alias Vaddiga or Yadugi) and Bhillama-IV. The next ruler was Seunachandra-II, who according to the Yadava records, restored the family's fortunes just like the god Hari had restored the earth's fortunes with his Varaha incarnation Seunachandra-II appears to have ascended the throne around 1050, as he is attested by the 1052 Deolali inscription. He bore the feudatory title Maha mandaleshvara and became the overlord of several sub feudatories, including a family of Khandesh. A 1069 inscription indicates that he had a ministry of seven officers, all of whom bore high-sounding titles. During his tenure, the Chalukya kingdom saw a war of succession between the brothers Someshvara-II and Vikramaditya-VI. Seunachandra-II supported Vikramaditya (who ultimately succeeded) and rose to the position of Maha-mandaleshvara. His son Airammadeva (or Erammadeva,c. 1085-1105), who helped him against Someshvara-II, succeeded him. Airammadeva's queen was Yogalla, but little else is known about his reign. The Asvi inscription credits him with helping place Vikramaditya on the Chalukya throne.
At the time of Bhillama-V's ascension in c. 1175, his nominal overlords - the Chalukyas - were busy fighting their former feudatories, such as the Hoysalas and the Kalachuris. Bhillama raided the northern Gujarat Chaulukya and Paramara territories, although these invasions did not result in any territorial annexations. The Naddula Chahamana ruler Kelhana, who was a Gujarat Chaulukya feudatory, forced him to retreat Meanwhile, the Hoysala ruler Ballala-Il invaded the Chalukya capital Kalyani, forcing Bhillama's overlord Someshvara to flee Around 1187, Bhillama forced Ballala to retreat, conquered the former Chalukya capital Kalyani and declared himself a sovereign ruler.
In 1278, Ramachandra appears to have defeated the Turkic invaders from the Delhi Sultanate, as a Sanskrit royal inscription of that year glorifies him as a "Great Boar in securing the earth from the oppression of the Turks". However, in 1294, Ala-ud- din Khalji of the Delhi Sultanate successfully raided Devagiri, Khalji restored it to Ramachandra in return for his promise of payment of a high ransom and an annual tribute. However, this was not paid and the Seuna kingdom's arrears to Khalji kept mounting. In 1307, Khalji sent an army commanded by Malik Kafur, accompanied by Khwaja Haji, to Devagiri. The Muslim governors of Malwa and Gujarat were ordered to help Malih Kafur, Their huge army conquered the weakened and defeated forces of Devagiri almost without a battle Ramachandra was taken to Delhi Khalji reinstated Ramachandra as governor in return for a promise to help him subdue the Hindu kingdoms in South India. In 1310, Malik Kafur mounted an assault on the Kakatiya kingdom from Devagiri.
Ramachandra's successor Simhana-III challenged the supremacy of Khali, who sent Malik Kafur to recapture Devagiri in 1313. Simhana ill was killed in the ensuing battle and Khalji's army occupied Devagiri. The kingdom was annexed by the Khalji sultanate in 1317 Many years later Muhammad Tughluq of the Tughluq dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate subsequently renamed the city Daulatabad.
Extent of their empire & Patronage towards the Hindu religion
Yadavas of Devagiri (c. 1187–1317) was an 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 (present-day Daulatabad in modern Aurangabad district, Maharashtra). Traditionally, Sauna Yadavas are called "Gavli Kings". Until Bhillama-V (A.D. 1185-93) moved their capital from Sinnar, near Nasik, to Devgiri. Like Hoysala Yadavas, Seunas Yadavas were also originally pastoralists or cattle-herders. The Yadavas often proudly claimed their pastoral ancestry. The Purushottamapuri inscription of Ramachandra suggests that he expanded the Yadava kingdom at its north-east frontier. First, he subjugated the rulers of Vajrakara (probably modern Vairagarh) and Bhandagara (modern Bhandara). Next, he marched to the defunct Kalachuri kingdom and occupied the former Kalachuri capital Tripuri (modern Tewar near Jabalpur). He also constructed a temple at Varanasi, which suggests that he may have occupied Varanasi for 2–3 years, amid the confusion caused by the Delhi Sultanate's invasion of the local Gahadavala kingdom and crushed a rebellion by the Yadava feudatories at Khed and Sangameshwar in Konkan. Mahadeva was succeeded by his son Ammana, who was dethroned by Krishna's son Ramachandra after a short reign in 1270. During the first half of his reign, Ramachandra adopted an aggressive policy against his neighbours. In the 1270s, he invaded the northern Paramara kingdom, which had been weakened by internal strife and easily defeated the Paramara army. The Yadava army was also involved in skirmishes against their north-western neighbours, the Vaghelas, with both sides claiming victory. In 1275, he sent a powerful army led by Tikkama to the southern Hoysala kingdom. Tikkama gathered a large plunder from this invasion, although ultimately, his army was forced to retreat in 1276. Ramachandra lost some of his territories, including Raichur to the Kakatiyas. Mahadeva was succeeded by his son Ammana, who was dethroned by Krishna's son Ramachandra after a short reign in 1270. During the first half of his reign, Ramachandra adopted an aggressive policy against his neighbours. In the 1270s, he invaded the northern Paramara kingdom, which had been weakened by internal strife, and easily defeated the Paramara army. The Yadava army was also involved in skirmishes against their north-western neighbours, the Vaghelas, with both sides claiming victory. In 1275, he sent a powerful army led by Tikkama to the southern Hoysala kingdom. Tikkama gathered a large plunder from this invasion, although ultimately, his army was forced to retreat in 1276. Ramachandra lost some of his territories, including Raichur, to the Kakatiyas.
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Architecture style of the kings
Kadamba temple architecture & iconography continuity, assimilation & development of varied influences involved in research & revival of ancient arts & architecture glorified as mother of all arts in traditional sense covers a broad spectrum. The reign of the yadava dynasty declined after the conquest of the daulatabad fort by Alauddin khilji in 1294. Further conquest by malik kafur, Alauddin's general, in 1312 resulted in the killing of the members of the yadava clan ending this illustrious dynasty. The contribution of sevunas to architecture and art are significant. Somnath temple built by a Yadav king of vallabhi, Gujarat & destroyed by Muslim invaders. Kadamba architecture was a style of temple architecture founded by Mayura Sharma in the 4th-century ad in Karnataka, India kadambas created a new style of architecture which was the basis of the Hoysala style of architecture, developed original school of sculpture, was the forerunner of series of south Indian sculptors. The gondeshwar temple was built during the rule of the seuna (Yadav) dynasty and is variously dated to either the 11th or the 12th century.
Key temples built/enhanced during this reign
Somnath Temple Built by a Yadav King of Vallabhi, Gujarat and destroyed by Muslim invaders. The Somnath temple was destroyed Six times by Muslim's and build six times. The Muslim invaders were so amazed by the beauty of the temple, that they became envious and destroyed it, looted it. Thanjavur Temple built by Chola dynasty of Yadav Clan and the Sri Rangam, Ranganath Swamy Temple, Trichy. Gopuram's built by Yadav Kings of Vijayanagra Empire and Chola Yadav dynasties. Melkote Cheluvanarayana Temple built by Hoysala Yadav Kings of Mysore. He was disciple of Srila Ramanujacharya and Devagiri Banashankari Temple built by Yadav King of Deogiri. Khajuraho Temple was built by Chandravanshi Chandela Rajput's of Yadav clan.
SRI VENKATESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE - Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple was constructed originally by the Chola Yadav dynasty was renovated by the great Yadav King Vir Narsimha Dev Yadavraya and Raja Krishna Deva Raya of Todmandalam Vijayanagram kingdom between 12th Century and 16th Century. Under the patronage of almost all important dynasties of South India, this sacred Temple of Tirumala enjoyed full benefits and glory. The Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas, Kadavarayas, Yadavarayas, Telugu Cholas, Telugu Pallavas, Vijayanagara kings (Sangama, Saluva and Tuluva lines) have left the marks of their patronage and endowments on the walls of the temples of Tirumala and Tirupati. The yadava kings were told to have constructed the Gopuram of this temple.
SRI RANGANATHASWAMY TEMPLE - Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ranganatha was constructed in the Dravidian architectural style built in 817 C.E by a lady by name Hambi, of the class of dancers in the year 894 C.E. The temple occupies an area of 155 acres with 81 shrines, 21 towers, 39 pavilions, and many water tanks integrated into the complex making it the world's largest functioning Hindu temple. Gopuram's is said to be built by Yadav King's of Vijayanagram Empire and Chola, Yadav dynasties.
SHREE SOMNATH TEMPLE - Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Gujarat, India
The site of Somnath has been a pilgrimage site from ancient times on account of being a Triveni sangam and has been looted several times. The first Shiva temple at Somnath is believed to have been built at some unknown time in the past. The second temple is said to have been built at the same site by the "Yadava kings" of Vallabhi around 649 C.E. The Gurjara-Pratihara king Nagabhata II is said to have constructed the third temple in 815 C.E, a large structure of red sandstone. In 1782-83, Maratha king Mahadaji Shinde, victoriously brought back three silver gates from Lahore after defeating Mahmud Shah Abdati, to Somnath.
SREE PADMANABHA SWAMY TEMPLE - Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Padmanabha Swamy Temple dates back to the 8th century but the present structure was built in the 18th century by the then Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma ho ruled over the then kingdom of Travancore. The temple has a corridor with 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with elaborate carvings which stands out to be an ultimate testimonial for the Vishwakarma sthapathis in sculpting this architectural masterpiece. An 80-foot flagstaff stands in front of the main entry from the prakaram(closed precincts of a temple). The foundation of the present gopuram was laid in 1566 and the temple has a 100-foot 7-tier gopuram made in the Pandyan style. The temple stands by the side of a tank, named Padma Theertham (meaning the lotus spring).
SRI YOGA NARASIMHA SWAMY TEMPLE - Melukote, Mandya, Karnataka, India
Yoga Narasimha Temple was built during the Hoysala kingdom and during the rule of the erstwhile Wodeyar Kings of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III had donated a gold crown to the temple deity. The intricate carvings on the pillars and the overall structure of the temple offer a glimpse into the architectural style of the bygone era. The top of the temple is visible from afar due to its height but the full glory of the detailed work of the craftsmen is visible only when one reaches near the entrance. The temple is considered to be one of the seven holy centres devoted to the worship of Narasimha.
