Yadava Dynasty

Yadava Dynasty: From the 12th until the 14th century, the Yadava dynasty controlled a strong Hindu empire in central India, mostly in what is now Maharashtra. The dynasty gained popularity under Bhillama, who established Devagiri (known as Daulatabad) as its capital in about 1187.

In this article, the rulers of the Yadava Dynasty and their political, cultural, and economic backgrounds will all be covered in length.

History of the Yadava Dynasty

The Eastern Chalukyas were the Yadava dynasty’s ancient vassals. Bhillama V. made Devagiri (Daulatabad) the capital They grew under Singhana II, conquering nearby kingdoms militarily to establish their dominance over the Deccan. Famous for appreciating art and literature, some of her most well-known creations are the poems “Yadava Bharata” by poet Janna. The Delhi Sultanate presented the Yadavas with difficulties despite their cultural achievements, and in the end, they were overrun by Alauddin Khalji’s invasion in the late 13th century. Their architectural wonders and cultural influences have left a lasting legacy that has shaped the history and legacy of the Deccan region.

Yadava Dynasty Map

Yadava Dynasty Map

Rulers of the Yadava Dynasty

The dynasty of Yadavas originated in Dridhaprahara. One of the main contributors to this dynasty was his son Seunachandra I, who convinced the Rashtrakutas to give his family feudatory status. This was the start of the Yadavas’ rise to prominence. The Yadava dynasty’s eventual name, Seunadesa, is a testament to the importance of Seunachandra I. Following the fall of the Rashtrakuta empire by the Western Chalukyas, Bhillama II became an ally of the Chalukyas. The Yadava dynasty’s legacy was furthered by successors such as Vesugi, Bhillama III, Bhillama IV, Seunachandra II, Simharaja, Mallugi, and Bhillama V.

Rulers	Time Period	Era	Contribution
Bhillama V	Late 12th to early 13th century	Foundation	Established the foundation of the Yadava dynasty and declared independence from the declining Chalukyan power.
Jaitugi	Early 13th century	Expansion	Consolidated the southern borders by restoring a Kakatiya prince to the throne and engaged in conflicts with northern neighbors.
Simhana	Early to mid-13th century	Ascendancy	Led victorious battles against the Hoysalas, Paramaras, and Chalukyas, leading the Yadava kingdom to its peak of fame and might.
Krishna	Mid-13th century	Cultural	Known for his patronage of literature and culture. Under his rule, the commentary Vedantakalpataru was written.
Mahadeva	Mid to late 13th century	Diplomacy	Defeated Kakatiya Rudramba in battle but spared her life. Attempted to subjugate the Hoyasala king Narasimha II.
Ramchandra	Late 13th to early 14th century	Decline	Faced defeats against the Hoyasalas, marking a decline in the Yadava dynasty’s power and influence.
Sankardeva	Early 14th century	Resistance	Resisted foreign rule under Alauddin Khalji and rejected Malik Kafur’s hunt, symbolizing resistance to external domination.

Yadava Dynasty – Administration

• The main form of government was a monarchy, which was common in Deccan countries.
• There were several feuds throughout the government.
• Proficient military leaders known as nayakas were assigned to lead provinces.
• Different ministers were in charge of different parts of the kingdom.
• Villages, governed by headmen-led local panchayats, were the lowest level of government.
• Temples had sway over political and economic decisions, and the brahmadeya system endured.

Yadava Dynasty – Economy

Few pointers related to economy of Yadava Dynasty are mentioned below.

• Aruvana: Farmland is subject to a tax.
• Santhey-aya: Market-based income tax.
• Professional taxes on blacksmiths, cobblers, washermen, carpenters, and other craftsmen were known as bannige.
• Talevana: Possibly an individual tax imposed at particular places or periods.
• Primary tax collector Sunkadhikari is in charge of obtaining taxes from subordinates and putting them in the state treasury.
• Mahabhandari: A member of the royal treasury administration.
• Vyavaharas and Settis are terms used by dealers and businesspeople.
• Gatrigas, also known as Hannavanigas, are traders in nuts and betel leaves.
• Teligas: Dealers in petroleum products.
• Virabalanja: A trading association with several branches and an office in Aihole.

Yadava Dynasty – Culture

Below in the are article we have includes religion, literature and architecture in detail

Religion

• Buddhism and Jainism: The Yadava monarchs continued to provide royal backing for Jainism, while Buddhism was in decline. Nonetheless, the status of Jainas was somewhat impacted by the emergence of the Virasaiva sect.
• Mahanubhava Sect: The Mahanubhavas are a recently formed religious sect in the Seuna nation. They were followers of Krishna, the Hindu deity. This religion is typically attributed to Dattatreya, however Chakradhara is supposed to have founded the Mahanubhava sect in 1273 upon her attainment of self-realization.
• Bhakti Movement: By the late 13th century, the Deccan had witnessed the rise in popularity of the bhakti movement, which was primarily connected to Sri Vitthala or Panduranga at Pandharpur. This movement promoted a strong spiritual bond among followers by emphasising devotion to a personal god.

Literature

• Influence of Sanskrit Literature: The development of Sanskrit literature was significantly influenced by the Yadava dynasty. Prominent individuals from this era included the mathematician and astronomer Bhaskaracharya.
• The family of Bhaskaracharya made the following contributions: Bhaskaracharya’s father, Mahesvara, wrote the renowned astrological texts Sekhara and Laghutika.
• Writings of Bhaskaracharya: Two of Bhaskaracharya’s most well-known works are Karanakutuhala and Siddhanta Siromani (1150).
• Contributions to Music: While staying in Simhana’s palace, Sarangadeva created the well-known musical work Sangitaratnakara.
• Contributions of Hemadri: Hemadri was a well-known writer who wrote a great deal about Dharmasastra, most notably in Chaturvarga Chintamani. Hemadri gave insightful explanations of the dynasty’s past.
• Development of Marathi Literature: The Jnanesvari and Mukundaraja’s Vivekasindhu are two notable examples of Marathi literature. The development of Marathi literature was notably influenced by the Seuna period.
• Saint Poets’s Contribution:Prominent poets such as Namadeva and Muktabai enhanced Marathi literature by contributing their abhyanga, or devotional songs.
• Additional Literary Pieces:Literary masterpieces with religious themes that are worth mentioning are Sisupalavadha by Bhanubhata, Rukminisvayamvara by Narendrapandita, Nalopakhyana by Nrisimhakesari, and Lilacharita by Mahendra.

Architecture

• The Hindu Gondeshwar temple is located in Sinnar, a town in Maharashtra, India’s Nashik area. With four secondary temples commemorating Surya, Vishnu, Parvati, and Ganesha in addition to the main Shiva shrine, it has a panchayatana design.

Yadava Dynasty – Decline

At the beginning of 1296, Alauddin Khalji besieged Devagiri, compelling Ramachandra to submit a peace plea. Even though Ramachandra’s kingdom remained, he lost his independence. In 1307, Alauddin sent Malik Kafur to chastise the Yadavas. Sankaradeva was vanquished by Kafur, and Ramachandra was put in jail. The Sultan then set him free and granted him authority to rule his vassal kingdom. Malik Kafur assassinated and conquered his successor Sankaradeva, destroying the Yadava empire.

Conclusion

In India, the Yadava dynasty never attempted to conquer Dwaraka or establish diplomatic or cultural relations with it. As they gained political importance, its rulers started claiming they were immigrants from Dwaraka and descendants of Yadu. The Yadava dynasty’s claim of association with Dwaraka may have more to do with their claim of descended from Yadu than with their actual location of origin, as Yadu’s predecessors were associated with that city.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who founded the dynasty of Yadavas?

The Yadava Dynasty was founded independently by Bhillama V.

What was the name of the final Yadava dynasty ruler?

The final member of the Yadava dynasty was Sankaradeva.

Who is Rukminisvayamvara’s author?

Rukminisvayamvara was written by Narendrapandita.

Identify the two renowned astronomers who resided in Simhana’s court.

Renowned astronomers Anantadeva and Changadeva were the two who lived in Simhana’s court.

Who is Sangitaratnakara’s author?

Sangitaratnakara was written by Sarangadeva.