Simhana's Southern Expansion
| Simhana's Southern Expansion | |||||||||
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 Map of the Yadava, circa 1200-1300 CE | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Seuna (Yadava) dynasty |
Hoysala Kingdom Kakatiya dynasty Shilahara | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Simhana Kholeshvara |
Veera Ballala II Ganpati  Bhoja II (POW) | ||||||||
Background
Simhana's grandfather, Bhillama V, had experienced a significant defeat at the hands of the Hoysala king,Veera Ballala II in Soratur. In response, the Yadavas sought to retaliate by invading territories controlled by the Hoysala. Inscriptions from Simhana, found in the area south of the Malaprabha River and dating back to 1202, indicate that the Yadavas had begun making advances into this region by that period. Simhana began his Southern Campaign in early 1211.
Expansion
Expedition against Hoysala
Simhana undertook extensive preparations to expand his empire, starting with the goal of avenging the defeat his grandfather had suffered at the hands of the Hoyasalas. Determined to push beyond the Krishna-Malaprabha line, which he no longer accepted as the southern boundary of his realm, Simhana launched an expedition against Veera Ballala II in 1211 A.D. With his capable general Bicana, he began subduing the Hoysala feudatories ruling south of Krishna.
From 1211 to 1217 A.D., Veera Ballala II experienced a period of retreat. During this time, the Kadambas of Hanugal, led by Kamadeva, began invading the northern districts of Ballala. Simghana exploited this opportunity to capture Belvola, thereby extending his control over a significant area around Gadaga and Annigari in the Dharwar district . He likely also captured Kusukad and Masavadi, further extending his territory in the Raichur district. Hanugala and Guttala also fell to him . After conquering large areas in these districts, Simghana advanced into the Banavase and Satalinge provinces in the Shimoga district. As early as 1212 A.D., inscriptions record Simghana's raids in the Sorab taluka of this district . Simhana personally led the campaign, evidenced by an inscription noting that his horse was stabbed by a Hoyasala hero at Hurali (App.Insc.no.53). Eight inscriptions found in the Shimoga district confirm his conquest of Banavase, Satalinge, and surrounding territories, which were subsequently assigned to his trusted lieutenant, Sarvadhikarin Mayideva .
Simhana's southern expansion did not end here. Inscriptions in the Anantapur district of Andhra indicate that he extended his control into Ballary and Anantapur. The Hoysala feudatories in these regions appear to have shifted their allegiance to Simhana.