Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri

The Seuna, "Sevuna" or Yadava dynasty (Marathi: देवगिरीचे यादव, Kannada: ಸೇವುಣರು) (850 - 1334) was an Indian dynasty, which at its peak ruled a kingdom stretching from the Tungabhadra to the Narmada rivers, including present-day Maharashtra, north Karnataka and parts of Madhya Pradesh, from its capital at Devagiri (present-day Daulatabad in Maharashtra).

The Yadavas initially ruled as feudatories of the Western Chalukyas. Around the middle of the 12th century, they declared independence and established rule that reached its peak under Singhana II.

The foundations of Marathi culture was laid by the Yadavas and the peculiarities of Maharashtra's social life developed during their rule. [ [http://www.marathiworld.com/sanskruti/maharashtra/itihas.htm Marathiworld.com-history] ]

Name of the dynasty

The Seuna dynasty claimed descent from the Yadavas and are often referred to as the "Yadavas of Devagiri". They have also been described as Marathas, as they ruled a large part of Maharashtra. The correct name of the dynasty, however, is Seuna or Sevuna.cite book
last = Keay
first = John
authorlink = John Keay
title = India: A History
date= 2001-05-01
publisher = Atlantic Monthly Pr
id = ISBN 0-8021-3797-0
pages = 252-257. "The quoted pages can be read at [http://books.google.com/ Google Book Search] ."] The inscriptions of this dynasty, as well as those of contemporary kingdoms, the Hoysala, Kakatiya dynasty and Western Chalukyas call them "Seunas".cite book
last = Kamat
first = Suryanath Upendra
title = A Concise History of Karnataka] . The name is probably derived from the name of their second ruler, "Seunachandra".

The "Sevuna" (or Seuna) name 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"cite book
last = Murthy
first = A. V. Narasimha
title = The Sevunas of Devagiri
year = 1971
publisher = Rao and Raghavan
pages = 32] .

Origin

Scholars are divided regarding the origin of the Suena dynasty.

North India

The Suena dynasty claimed descent from the Chandravanshi Yadavas of north India. [Chapter 8, "Yadavas Through the Ages" J.N.S.Yadav (1992)] [Robin James Moore. "Tradition and Politics in South Asia". 1979. Vikas Publishing House.] According to verse 21 of "Vratakhand" (a Sanskrit work by Hemadri), the Seunas were originally from Mathura and later moved to Dwaraka. Hemdari calls them "Krishnakulotpanna" ("i.e." descendants of Lord Krishna).Madhyayugin Bharat (Marathi translation of Medieval India) written and published by Chintaman Vinayak Vaidya, pg.468] The Marathi saint Dnyaneshwar describes them as "yadukulvansh tilak". Some Suena inscriptions call them "Dvaravatipuravaradhishvaras" ("masters of Dvaravati or Dwaraka"). Modern researchers, such as Dr.Kolarkar, also believe that Yadavas came from North India.Marathyancha Itihaas by Dr.S.G Kolarkar, pg-4, Shri Mangesh Prakashan,Nagpur]

Maratha

According scholars such as Prof. George Moraes, [cite web
title=Pre-Portuguese Culture of Goa
author=Professor George Moraes
publisher=International Goan Convention
url=http://www.goacom.org/community/associations/goaont/convention/moraes.htm
accessdate=2006-10-01] V. K. Rajwade, C. V. Vaidya, Dr. A.S. Altekar, Dr. D.R. Bhandarkar, and J. Duncan M. Derrett, the Suena rulers were of Maratha descent who patronized the Marathi language. [cite book
last = Kulkarni
first = Chidambara Martanda
title = Ancient Indian History & Culture
year = 1966
publisher = Karnatak Pub. House
pages = 233] Digambar Balkrishna Mokashi noted that the Yadava dynasty was "what seems to be the first true Maratha empire".cite book
last = Mokashi
first = Digambar Balkrishna
title = Palkhi: An Indian Pilgrimage
date= 1987-07-01
publisher = SUNY Press
id = ISBN 0-88706-461-2
pages = 37] In his book "Medieval India", C.V.Vaidya states that Yadavas are "definitely pure Maratha Kshatriyas".

A stone inscription found at Anjaneri, near Nasik, suggests that a minor branch of the Yadava family ruled a small district, with Anjaneri as its chief city. The inscription indicates that a ruler called Seunadeva, belonging to the Yadava family, called himself "Mahasamanta" and made a grant to a Jain temple.cite web
url = http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/nasik/005%20History/001%20AncientPeriod.htm
title = Nasik District Gazetteer: History - Ancient period
accessdate=2006-10-01] Scholars such as Dr. O. P. Varma, state that Yadavas were Marathi speakers and the period of their rule was very important for the history of the Marathi. [Onkar Prasad Verma. "Yadavas and their Times". Vidarbha Samshodhana Mandal, Nagpur. 1938, pg.265]

Jijabai (the mother of Shivaji, who founded the Maratha Empire) belonged to the clan of "jadhava"s of Sindkhed Raja, who also claimed descent from the Yadavas.

Immigrants from Karnataka

Scholars such as C M Kulkarni, [cite book
last = Kulkarni
first =Chidambara Martanda
title = Studies in Indian History
year = 1974
publisher = Sri Dvaipayana Trust
location =
language =
isbn =
oclc =
doi =
id =
pages = 111
quote = [http://www.books.google.com/books?vid=OCLC02119119&id=s_McAAAAMAAJ&q=yadavas+devagiri&dq=yadavas+devagiri&pgis=1 Yadavas of Devagiri who originally belonged to Kannada stock] ] Colin Masica and Shrinivas Ritti believe that the Seuna rulers were originally Kannada-speaking people. Linguist Colin Masica believes that they originally used Kannada (along with Sanskrit) in their inscriptions, but, by the time of the Muslim conquest, they had begun to patronize Marathi, and Marathi phrases or lines began to appear in their inscriptions. [cite book
last = Masica
first = Colin P.
title = The Indo-Aryan Languages
year = 1991
publisher = Cambridge University Press
isbn = 0521299446
pages = 45
chapter = Subsequent Spread of Indo-Aryan
chapterurl = http://www.books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0521299446&id=Itp2twGR6tsC&pg=RA1-PA45&lpg=RA1-PA45&ots=U0gTw3t3Ke&dq=yadavas+kannada&sig=1XTDt5DPA9UDr0cgmDK7Z4WmSLg] Dr. Shrinivas Ritti's speculates that Seunas were originally from a Kannada-speaking region and migrated northwords due to the political situation in the Deccan. [Shrinivas Ritti. "The Seunas : the Yadavas of Devagiri". Dharwar : Dept. of Ancient Indian History and Epigraphy, Karnatak University. 1973]

Many Seuna rulers had Kannada names and titles such as "Dhadiyappa", "Bhillama", "Rajugi", "Vadugi" and "Vasugi" and "Kaliya Ballala". Some kings had names like "Singhana" and "Mallugi", which were also used by the Southern Kalachuri dynasty. Records show that one of the early rulers "Seunachandra II" had a Kannada title "Sellavidega". The Seunas had very close matrimonial relationships with royal Kannada families throughout their rule.. Bhillama II was married to Lachchiyavve, who was from a Rashtrakuta descendant family in Karnataka. Vaddiga was married to Vaddiyavve, daughter of Rashtrakuta chieftain Dhorappa. Wives of Vesugi and Bhillama III were Chalukya princesess.

Over five hundred inscriptions belonging to the Seuna dynasty have been found in Karnataka, the oldest being of the rule of Bhillama II. Most of these are in Kannada language. Others are in the Kannada language but use Devanagari script. The Seuna coins from the early part of the rule have Kannada legends. Scholars such as Dr. O. P. Varma, believe that Kannada was a court language, used along with Marathi and Sanskrit. [Onkar Prasad Verma. "Yadavas and their Times". Vidarbha Samshodhana Mandal, Nagpur. 1938]

During the rule of the Seunas, ruling chieftains who were related to the Seuna kings were from Kannada-speaking families, like the Seunas of Masavadi in present day Dharwad. Dr. A. V. Narasimha Murthy opined that during the later part of the Rashtrakuta rule from Manyakheta, Seuna chieftains were despatched from the Karnataka region to rule near Nasik.

History

Feudatory

Seunas were once the feudatories of the Rashtrakutas and then of the Western Chalukyas. 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.

The name Seuna comes from Dridhaprahara's son, Seunachandra, who 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 his throne.

Bhillama V

Bhillama V (1173-1192), son of Mallugi, established the sovereign Seuna kingdom. He took over the Chalukya capital of Kalyani in 1190 and 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, Kakatiya dynasty 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 meterscite book
last = Bennett
first = Mathew
title = Dictionary of Ancient & Medieval Warfare
date= 2001-09-21
publisher = Stackpole Books
id = ISBN 0-8117-2610-X
pages = 98. "The quoted pages can be read at [http://books.google.com/ Google Book Search] ."] (300 meters according to John Keay). The hill was enclosed by three lines of walls, each of which was defended by moats and turrets. The outermost wall had a circumference of 4.4 km.

inghana II

Singhana II 1200-1247 C.E. is considered the greatest ruler of the Yadava dynasty. During his rule the kingdom expanded from Narmada to Tungabhadra, reaching its zenith at the expense of Hoysalas in the south, Kakatiya dynasty in the east, Paramaras and Chalukyas in the north."Yādava Dynasty" Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica 2007 Ultimate Reference Suite]

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.cite book
last = Mann
first = Gurinder Singh
title = The Making of Sikh Scripture
date= 2001-03-01
publisher = Oxford University Press US
id = ISBN 0-19-513024-3
pages = 1] He also patronized Changadeva, the Kannada poet Kamalabhava.

Ramachandra

Ramachandra (or Ramadevarava), the grandson of Singhana II, ruled from 1271 to 1309 CE.

Hemadri (or Hemadpant) was Ramachandra's "Shrikaranadhipa" (Chief Minister). He 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 for writing Marathi. Hemadri wrote many books on "vaidhyakshastra" (medical science)and he introduced and supported Bajra cultivation.

In 1294, Ala-ud-din Khalji captured 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 the Khalji dynasty kept mounting. In 1307, Khalji sent an army commanded by Malik Kafur to Devagiri. Ramachandra was taken to Delhi. Khalji reinstated Ramachandra in return for a promise to help Khalji subdue the Hindu kingdoms in South India. In 1309, Malik Kafur mounted an assault on the Kakatiya dynasty from Devagiri.

Fall of the kingdom

Ramachandra's successor Singhana III challenged the supremacy of Khalji, who sent Malik Kafur to recapture Devagiri in 1310. Singhana III was killed in the ensuing battle [cite book
last = Michell
first = George
title = Architecture and Art of the Deccan Sultanates
date= 1999-006-10
publisher = Cambridge University Press
id = ISBN 0-521-56321-6
pages = 5] and Khalji's army occupied Devagiri. Muhammad Tughluq subsequently renamed the city Daultabad. The kingdom was annexed by the Khalji empire in 1317.

The Seuna Yadava rulers

Among the Seuna Yadava rulers, Sindhan, Krishnadev, Mahadeva and Ramdev are considered as having been 'able'.Marathyancha Itihaas by Dr.S.G Kolarkar, pg-4, Shri Mangesh Prakashan,Nagpur]

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 Western Chalukya king Tailapa II in battle against Paramara king Munja.
* Vesugi I 1005-1020 C.E.
* Bhillama III 1020-1055 C.E., ruled near Sinnar, Nasik. Helped Chalukya Somesvara against Paramaras
* 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., beginning period of internal family feud which lasted until 1173
* Amaragangeyya 1150-1160 C.E.
* Govindaraja 1160 C.E.
* 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

* Singhana III 1312-1313 C.E.
* Haripaladeva 1313-1318 C.E.
* Mallugi III 1318-1334 C.E.

Literature

Marathi

The Yadavas of Devagiri patronised Marathi [cite book
last = Kulkarni
first = Chidambara Martanda
title = Ancient Indian History & Culture
year = 1966
publisher = Karnatak Pub. House
pages = 233] which was their court language. [ [http://www.indianembassy.org/indiainfo/india_2000/chapters/chp29.pdf India 2000 - States and Union Territories of India] ] ["Yadav - Pahila Marathi Bana" S.P.Dixit (1962)] Kannada may also have been a court language during Seunachandra's rule, but Marathi was the only court-language of Ramchandra and Mahadeva Yadavas. The Yadava capital Devagiri became a magnet 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. [ [http://www.bhashaindia.com/Patrons/LanguageTech/Marathi.aspx BhashaIndia] ]

Their reign also saw the literary development of Marathi. ["History of the Marhattas" Grant Duff] . The origin and growth of Marathi literature is directly linked to this period. [ [Marathi - The Language of Warriors http://www.bhashaindia.com/Patrons/LanguageTech/Marathi.aspx] ]

Some historians believe that prior to the Yadava rule, both Marathi and Kannada had been used in Maharashtra; subsequently, at least partly due to their efforts, Marathi became dominant. [cite book
last = Talbot
first = Cynthia
title = Precolonial India in Practice: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra
year = 2001
publisher = Oxford University Press
location = US
isbn =0195136616
pages = 212
chapter = Towards a New Model of Medieval India
chapterurl = http://www.books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0195136616&id=pfAKljlCJq0C&pg=RA2-PA212&lpg=RA2-PA212&ots=tQ3hhk1-S7&dq=yadavas+kannada&sig=MdYLph6_8XOEod_KzeIagcxs86k ] Historian José Pereira has credited Yadavas with overthrowing the rule of Kannada-speaking dynasties in Maharashtra. [Literary Konkani: a brief history By José Pereira, pg2, Konkani Sahitya Prakashan [http://www.books.google.com/books?id=oaMNAAAAIAAJ&vid=OCLC05354058&dq=yadavas+marathi&q=yadavas&pgis=1#search Online view] ]

Bhillama V's son, Jaitrapal (or Jaitugi) had Mukundaraja, the author of "Paramamrita" and "Vivekasindhu" as his spiritual teacher. "Paramamrita" is considered the first systematic attempt to explain the Vendantic principles in Marathi. "Vivekasindhu" is another exposition of Vedantic principles. Mukundaraja's earliest works were completed in 1190 C.E. and Mahimabhatta wrote "Lilacharita" in 1238.

The famous Marathi saint-poet Dnyaneshwar wrote "Dnyaneshwari", a commentary on the "Bhagavad Gita" in 1290, during Ramachandra's rule. He also composed devotional songs called "abhanga"s. Dnyaneshwar gave a higher status to Marathi by translating the sacred Geeta from Sanskrit. 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)." [ [http://members.tripod.com/~marathi/marathi.html Marathi language] ] [ [http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/community/community_yadavShow.php Maharashtra Government's page on Yadavas] ]

Hemadri invented the Modi script during this period. Chakradhara propagated the Mahanubhava cult, using Marathi as the medium for his religious teachings. The work of his followers are counted among the first works of Marathi literature. [cite web
url=http://www.nagpuronline.com/history/anchist7.html
title=Ancient History, Part VII
accessdate=2006-10-01]

Kannada

Many scholars believe Kannada was one of the court languages during early Seuna times, as is evident from a number of Kannada-language inscriptions (see, Origin section). Kamalabhava, patronised by Bhillama V wrote "Santhishwarapurana". Achanna composed "Varadhamanapurana" in 1198. Amugideva, patronised by Singhana II, composed many "Vachanas" or devotional songs. Chaundarasa of Pandharapur wrote "Dashakumara Charite".

anskrit

The Sanskrit literary works created during the Seuna period include:
* "Chaturvarga Chintamani" by Hemadri
* "Suktimuthavali" by Jalhana
* "Hammiramadhana" by Jayasimha Suri
* "Karnakutuhala" and "Siddhanta Shiromani" by Bhaskaracharya
* Anantadeva's commentaries on Varahamihira's "Brijajjataka" and Brahmagupta's "Brihatsputa siddhanta"
* Haripaladeva's "Sangeetasudhakara", a treatise on Indian Classical Music, which bifurcates Indian classical music as Hindustani Music and Carnatic Music for the first time, acknowledging the Muslim influence on Indian music. [cite web
title = ITCSRA FAQ on Indian Classical Music
url = http://www.itcsra.org/sra_faq_index.html
accessdate = 2007-12-11 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_9/yadavas.html Miscellaneous inscriptions in Kannada from Yadava period]
* [http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_15/yadavas.html Bombay-Karnataka inscriptions: The Yadavas]
* [http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_18/the_yadavas.html Bombay-Karnataka inscriptions (volume III): The Yadavas]