Bhillama (1173–1191 Ad): Significant Yadavas Dynasty Ruler
Introduction
The first independent king of India's Yadava (Seuna) dynasty in the Deccan was Bhillama (1175–1191 CE). He was Mallugi's grandson. He conquered the Chalukyas' capital city of Kalyana, as well as the nearby states of Kisukadnad, Tardavadinad, and Belvola. His capable generals included Lakh-khana, Mayideva, Peyiya Sahani, and Jaitrasimha. He organized a well-equipped army, and with their aid, he grew his kingdom. The kingdom of Dorasamudra Hoysala was subdued by Bhillama. In addition, he overthrew the Hoysala monarchy and reached at Seringapatam in the Mysore District.
Bhillama (1173–1191 Ad): Background
• Karna, Bhillama's father, and Mallugi, the Yadava king, were his grandparents.
• He ascended the Yadava throne in around 1175 CE, ousting his uncle's heirs and a usurper.
• For the following ten years, he ruled as the Chalukyas of Kalyani's nominal vassal, ravaging Gujarat's Chalukya and Paramara lands.
• He declared independence soon after the Chalukya Empire was overthrown in 1187 CE and engaged in conflict with Hoysala king Ballala II over control of the erstwhile Chalukya realm in modern-day Karnataka.
• Around 1189 CE, he overcame Ballala in a combat at Soratur, but Ballala triumphed over him two years later.
• He seized control of the Chalukya city of Kalyani in 1190 and erected Devagiri (now Daulatabad) as the seat of the Yadava dynasty.
• The fortress was constructed on a hill that was 183 meters high and was surrounded by three lines of walls, each of which was fortified with turrets and moats. The largest wall's perimeter measured 4.4 kilometers.
• As Nagarjuna's instructor, he patronized the learned Bhaskara.
• Bhillama was referred to as "Chakravartin Yadava" in records from the Mutugi inscription dated 1189 to 1190 CE (1111 Shaka). Additionally, he sent money to the Pandharpur Vitthal Temple.
• Additionally, he gave to the Gadag Trikuteshvara Shiva temple.
Expansion of Empire In The Northern Region
• Southern Deccan was experiencing a number of conflicts at the time of Bhillama's ascendancy.
• The Chalukyas, his nominal rulers, were engaged in war with past feudators like the Hoysalas and Kalachuris.
• Southern Gujarat's Lata and Malwa were the focus of Bhillama's northern campaign.
• Malwa's Paramara ruler Vindhyavarman had driven the Chalukyas out, consolidating Paramara rule.
• In the Mutugi inscription from 1189 CE, Bhillama brags of having caused the Malavas (the Paramaras) and the Gurjaras (the Chaulukyas) a great deal of hardship.
• This sounds like an allusion to his raids in the Lata and Malwa districts.
• According to legend, Jahla, his general, defeated the Chaulukyas by sending a crazy elephant into the middle of the opposing force.
• Bhillama's incursions in Gujarat and Malwa were fruitless, and the Naddula Chahamana monarch Kelhana was obliged to order him to retreat.
• Bhillama reportedly overcame the kings of Anga, Vanga, Nepala, and Panchala, according to the Mutugi inscription. But given the lack of historical backing for this assertion, it looks to be a poetic boast.
Dispute With Ballala
• Bhillama's Chalukya overlord Someshvara IV was met with a southern assault by Hoysala monarch Ballala right after his northern raids.
• Someshvara and his Kadamba feudatory Kamadeva were compelled to take sanctuary in Banavasi as a result of Ballala's onslaught.
• Ballala was forced to flee as his army ran out of fuel during this campaign, and Bhillama took control of Kalyani, the old Chalukya capital.
• When Bhillama first proclaimed himself to be the imperial ruler in 1187 CE, this conquest most likely took place around that time.
• Hemadri claims that Bhillama constructed the city of Devagiri, which became the new Yadava capital, following this successful expedition.
• Ballala reorganized his soldiers in his home capital of Dvarasamudra and then continued his advance towards the north.
• Bhillama responded by advancing towards him with 12,000 cavalry soldiers and 200,000 infantrymen. The two armies battled at Soratur. In this battle, the Hoysalas easily beat Bhillama's army.
• Ballala seized and murdered the Yadava general Jaitrapala (also known as Jaitrasimha), who had fled to Lokkigundi (modern-day Lakkundi).
• Ballala afterwards conquered Hangal, Kurrugod, Gutti (modern Gooty), Erambara, and Yellur. The Yadava-Hoysala border was formed by the Malaprabha and Krishna Rivers, which were drove the Yadavas north for the following two decades.
Conclusion
With the exception of the Shilahara-ruled Konkan, the Bhillama Empire stretched from the Narmada River in the north to the Malaprabha River in the south, encompassing practically all of contemporary Maharashtra and northern Karnataka. The Paramara Rajputs of Malwa, the Kakatiya dynasty, the Hoysalas, and the Solanki Rajputs of Gujarat were all hostile neighbors that bordered the Yadavas on all sides. They constructed their castle at Devagiri as a safety measure. Ballala's victory over Bhillama resulted in his death, most likely from natural causes. Jaitugi, the son of Bhillama, succeeded his father as the next Yadava king.