Seuna (Yadava) dynasty
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| Yadavas of Devagiri | |
| Official languages | Marathi, Sanskrit |
| Capital | Devagiri |
| Government | Monarchy |
| Preceding state | Kalyani Chalukya |
| Succeeding state | Deccan Sultanates |
The Yadavas of Devagiri, Seuna/Sevuna or Yadava dynasty (Marathi: देवगिरीचे यादव) (850 - 1334) was an Indian dynasty, which during their peak ruled present day Maharashtra, north Karnataka and parts of Madhya Pradesh from their capital at Devagiri(or Deogiri) (present-day Daulatabad in Maharashtra). Yadavas are very important part of Maharashtra's history. They are considered as first true Maratha empire. The foundations of Marathi culture was laid by Yadavas. Peculiarities of Maharashtra's social life were developed in their rule.[1]
Sindhan, Krishnadev, Mahadev and Ramdev are considered as 'able' rulers in Yadavas.[2] The Yadavas adopted Marathi as the court language at their capital Devgiri and became a beacon for learned scholars in Marathi to showcase and find patronage for their skills. The origin and growth of Marathi literature is directly linked with rise of Yadava dynasty.[3] They initially ruled as feudatories of the Kalyani Chalukyas and around the middle of the 12th. century, declared their independence. At their peak under Singhana II, they ruled a large kingdom stretching from the Tungabhadra to the Narmada rivers.
Origin
The Seuna dynasty claimed descent from Yadavas. Hence, they are often referred to as "Yadavas of Devagiri". They are also described as Marathas as they ruled a large part of Maharashtra. But, the correct name of the dynasty is Seuna or Sevuna[4]. The inscriptions of this dynasty as well as those of contemporary kingdoms, the Hoysala, Kakatiya and Chalukyas call them Seunas[5]. The name is probably derived from the name of their second ruler Seunachandra.
Many writers referred to the dyanasty as "Yadavas of Devagiri". The former name of the dynasty i.e. "Sevuna" (or Seuna) was brought back into use by John Faithful Fleet in his book The dynasties of the Kanarese districts of the Bombay Presidency from the earliest historical times to the Musalman conquest of A.D. 1318[6].
Scholars are divided regarding the descent of Suena dynasty.
North India
The Suena dynasty claimed descent from Yadavas of north India[7]. According to a Sanskrit work by Hemadri, the Seunas were originally from Mathura and later moved to Dwaraka. Some of their inscriptions call them Dvaravatipuravaradhishvaras ("masters of Dvaravati or Dwaraka").Dr.Kolarkar also confirms that Yadavas are from North India.[2]
Maratha
According to some scholars such as Prof. George Moraes[8], Dr. A.S. Altekar, Dr. D.R. Bhandarkar and J. Duncan M. Derrett[6], the Suena dynasty rulers were of Maratha descent. The Suenas patronised the Marathi language[9], Digambar Balkrishna Mokashi noted that Yadava dynasty rule was "what seems to be the first true Maratha empire"[10]. Majority of historians have consensus about Maratha origins of Yadavas, which also include noted historian V.K.Rajwade and C.V.Vaidya. C.V.Vaidya in his book Medieval India states that "Yadavas are definately pure Maratha Kashatriyas" while Gopal Dalwi furthers this stating that Yadavas are descendants of the 'Shri Krishna.[11]
A stone inscription found at Anjaneri near Nasik suggests that there was a minor branch of the Yadava family ruling over a small district with Anjaneri as the chief city. The inscription indicates that a ruler called Seunadeva belonging to Yadava family called himself Mahasamanta and made a grant to a Jain temple[12].
Shivaji's mother, Jijabai and Sant Dnyaneshwar was of Yadava descent.
Immigrants from Karnataka
According to Suryanath Kamath,many Seuna rulers had pure Kannada names and titles. In Dr. Ritti's opinion, Seunas must have been originally from Kannada-speaking region.[5].Over five hundred inscriptions belonging to the Seuna dynasty have been found in Karnataka. Dr. O. P. Varma, believes that Kannada was a court language along with Marathi and Sanskrit during Seunachandra times[5].However Alterkar in his book "State and government in ancient India" says 'Yadavs did not patronise Kannada since they themselves spoke Marathi and their capital city was at Devagiri which was at Devagiri which was in the heart of Maharashtra.'[13]
History
Feudatory
Seunas were once the feudatories of the Rashtrakutas and then of the Western Chalukyas[4]. The founder of the Suena dynasty was Dridhaprahara, the son of Subahu. According to Vratakhanda, his capital was Shrinagara. However, an early inscription suggests that Chandradityapura (modern Chandor in the Nasik district) was the capital[12].
The name Seuna comes from Dridhaprahara's son, Seunachandra. He originally ruled a region called Seunadesha (present-day Khandesh). Bhillama II, a later ruler in the dynasty, assisted Tailapa III in his war with the Paramara king Munja. Seunachandra II helped Vikramaditya VI in gaining the throne.
Bhillama V
Bhillama V (1173-1192), son of Mallugi, established the sovereign kingdom (as opposed to feudatory of Chalukyas). He took over the Chalukya capital of Kalyani in 1190. He founded Devagiri (now Daulatabad) as the capital of the Yadava dynasty.
The Seunas were bordered by aggressive neighbours on all sides: Paramara Rajputs of Malwa in the north, Kakatiyas in the east, Hoysalas in the south and Solanki Rajputs of Gujarat in the west. As a precaution, they built their citadel at Devagiri. The citadel was situated on a hill rising 183 meters[14] (300 meters according to John Keay[4]). The hill was enclosed by three lines of walls, each of which was defended by moats and turrets. The othermost wall had a circumfrence of 4.4 km.
Singhana II
Singhana II 1200-1247 C.E. is considered the greatest ruler of the Yadava dynasty. During his rule the the kingdom expanded from Narmada to Tungabhadra.
He founded the town Shinghanapur (or Singhanapur). He was a great patron of learning and literature. He established the college of astronomy to study the work of celebrated astronomer Bhaskaracharya.
Sangit Ratnakar, an authoritative Sanskrit work on Indian music was written by Sharangadhar (or Shrangadeva) during Singhana II's reign.[15] Yadava dynasty reached at the height during Singhana II's rule at the expense of Hoysalas in the south, Kakatiyas in the east, Pamaras and Chalukyas in the north.[16]
Ramachandra
Ramachandra (or Ramadevarava), the grandson of Singhana II, ruled from 1271 to 1309 CE. His Shrikaranadhipa (Chief Minister) was Hemadri (or Hemadapant), who compiled the encyclopedic Sanskrit work Chaturvarga Chintamani. He is said to have built many temples in a style known after him - Hemadapanti. He also invented the Modi script in Marathi[15]. Hemdri wrote many books on vaidhyakshastra (Medical science), he brought and helped Bajra cultivation.[2]
In 1294, during the reign of Ramachandra (1271-1312), Ala-ud-din Khalji captured Devagiri. He restored it to Ramachandra in return for promise of a high ransom and an annual tribute[14]. However, this was not paid and Seuna kingdom's arrears to the Khalji dynasty kept mounting. In 1307, Ala-ud-din Khalji sent an army commanded by Malik Kafur to Devagiri.
Ramachandra was taken to Delhi. Khalji reinstated him on the throne. In turn, Ramachandra helped him to subdue the Hindu kingdoms of South. In 1309, Malik Kafur mounted an assault on the Kakatiyas from Devagiri[4].
Fall of the kingdom
Ramachandra's successor Singhana III challenged the supremacy of Alauddin Khilji, who sent Malik Kafur to capture Devagiri. Singhana III lost his life in the ensuing battle[17]. In 1310, Khalji's army occupied Devagiri. Later, Muhammad Tughluq renamed it Daultabad.The kingdom was annexed by Khalji empire in 1317.[16]
TheYadava rulers
Feudatory of Western Chalukyas of Kalyani
- Dridhaprahara
- Seunachandra 850-874 C.E.
- Dhadiyappa 874-900 C.E.
- Bhillama I 900-925 C.E.
- Vadugi (Vaddiga) 950-974 C.E.
- Dhadiyappa II 974-975 C.E.
- Bhillama II 975-1005 C.E., helped Chalukya king Tailapa II in battle against Paramar Munja.
- Vesugi I 1005-1020 C.E.
- Bhillama III 1020-1055 C.E. , ruled near Sinnar, Nasik. Helped Chalukya Somesvara against Paramar
- Vesugi II 1055-1068 C.E.,
- Bhillama III 1068 C.E.
- Seunachandra II 1068-1085 C.E., overcame civil war, defeated Bhillama IV to become king.
- Airamadeva 1085-1115 C.E.
- Singhana I 1115-1145 C.E.
- Mallugi I 1145-1150 C.E., period of internal family feud up to 1173
- Amaragangeyya 1150-1160 C.E.
- Govindaraja 1160
- Amara Mallugi II 1160-1165 C.E.
- Kaliya Ballala 1165-1173 C.E.
Independent kingdom
- Bhillama V 1173-1192 C.E.
- Jaitugi I 1192-1200 C.E.
- Singhana II 1200-1247 C.E.
- Kannara 1247-1261 C.E.
- Mahadeva 1261-1271 C.E.
- Amana 1271 C.E.
- Ramachandra 1271-1312 C.E.
Tributary status under Khilji dynasty
Literature
Marathi
The Yadavas of Devagiri patronised Marathi[18] and it was their only official language.[19][20][21]. Yadavs overthrew the rule of Kannada.[22] Their reign also oversaw the literary development of Marathi language.[23]
Bhillama V's son, Jaitrapal (or Jaitugi) had Mukundaraja, the author of Paramamrita and Vivekasindhu as his spiritual teacher[15]. Paramamrita is considered the first systematic attempt to explain the Vendantic principles in Marathi language. Vivekasindhu is another exposition of Vedantic principles. Mukundaraja's earliest works were completed in 1190 C.E. Mahimabhatta wrote Lilacharita in 1238
The famous Marathi saint-poet Dnyaneshwar wrote Dnyaneshwari, a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita in 1290, during Ramachandra's period. He also composed devotional songs called abhangas. Dnyaneshwar gave a higher status to Marathi by bringing the sacred Geeta from Sanskrit to Marathi. He proudly said about Marathi-
माझा मर्हाटाची बोलु कवतिके|
- परि अमृतातेहि पैजा जिंके|
- ऐसी अक्षरे रसिके-
- मेळवीन|
which means I will speak my Marathi (language) only with pride and I will give such Marathi words to the ardent listeners which will even win bets against the nectar (amRit).[24]
Hemadri invented the Modi script in Marathi during this period. Chakradhara propagated the Mahanubhava cult, using Marathi as the medium of his religious teachings. The work of his followers are counted among the first works of Marathi literature.[25].
Kannada
According to Suryanath Kamath, Kannada was one of the court languages during Seunachandra times, as is evident from a number of Kannada-language inscriptions (See Origin section). However Yadavas of devagiri were Marathi speakers and patronized Marathi language only. (See Marathi section. Kamalabhava, patronised by Bhillama V wrote Santhishwarapurana, Achanna composed Varadhamanapurana in 1198, Amugideva composed many Vachanas or devotional songs. He was patronised by Singhana II. Chaundarasa of Pandharapur wrote Dashakumara Charite
Sanskrit
The Sanskrit literary works from Seuna period include Chaturvarga Chintamani by Hemadri, Suktimuthavali by Jalhana and Hammiramadhana by Jayasimha Suri, Karnakutuhala and Siddhanta Shiromani by Bhaskaracharya. Anantadeva wrote a commentary on Varahamihira's Brijajjataka and Brahmagupta's Brihatsputa siddhanta.
References
- ^ Marathiworld.com-history
- ^ a b c Marathyancha Itihaas by Dr.S.G Kolarkar, pg-4, Shri Mangesh Prakashan,Nagpur
- ^ BhashaIndia
- ^ a b c d Keay, John (2001-05-01). India: A History. Atlantic Monthly Pr. pp. 252–257. ISBN 0-8021-3797-0.. The quoted pages can be read at Google Book Search.
- ^ a b c Kamat, Suryanath Upendra. A Concise History of Karnataka.
- ^ a b Murthy, A. V. Narasimha (1971). The Sevunas of Devagiri. Rao and Raghavan. p. 32.
- ^ Chapter 8, "Yadavas Through the Ages" J.N.S.Yadav (1992)
- ^ Professor George Moraes. "Pre-Portuguese Culture of Goa". International Goan Convention. Retrieved 2006-10-01.
- ^ Kulkarni, Chidambara Martanda (1966). Ancient Indian History & Culture. Karnatak Pub. House. p. 233.
- ^ Mokashi, Digambar Balkrishna (1987-07-01). Palkhi: An Indian Pilgrimage. SUNY Press. p. 37. ISBN 0-88706-461-2.
- ^ Maratha kulancha itihaas (Jadhav Gharanyachi kaifiyat)Editer- Gopal Dalwi 1912 (Maratha Mitra prakashan)
- ^ a b "Nasik District Gazetteer: History - Ancient period". Retrieved 2006-10-01.
- ^ Altekar says this in "state and government in ancient India" cited in Maratha kulancha Itihaas-Jadhav Gharanyachi kaifiyat Editer- Gopal Dalwi 1912 (Maratha Mitra prakashan,Mumbai)
- ^ a b Bennett, Mathew (2001-09-21). Dictionary of Ancient & Medieval Warfare. Stackpole Books. p. 98. ISBN 0-8117-2610-X.. The quoted pages can be read at Google Book Search.
- ^ a b c Mann, Gurinder Singh (2001-03-01). The Making of Sikh Scripture. Oxford University Press US. p. 1. ISBN 0-19-513024-3.
- ^ a b "Yādava Dynasty" Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica 2007 Ultimate Reference Suite
- ^ Michell, George (1999-006-10). Architecture and Art of the Deccan Sultanates. Cambridge University Press. p. 5. ISBN 0-521-56321-6.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Kulkarni, Chidambara Martanda (1966). Ancient Indian History & Culture. Karnatak Pub. House. p. 233.
- ^ "Yadav - Pahila Marathi Bana" S.P.Dixit (1962)
- ^ Govt.of India page on yadavas
- ^ Sainistar
- ^ Literary Konkani: a brief history By José Pereira, pg2, Konkani Sahitya Prakashan Online view
- ^ "History of the Marhattas" Grant Duff
- ^ Marathi language
- ^ "Ancient History, Part VII". Retrieved 2006-10-01.