Simhana's Southern Expansion: Difference between revisions

[[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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=R. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/A_Comprehensive_History_of_India.html?id=ahFuAAAAMAAJ |title=A Comprehensive History of India: A.D. 985-1206 |date=1992 |publisher=People's Publishing House |isbn=978-81-7007-121-1 |pages=145–147 |language=en}}</ref>

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 .<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=G. |first=Yazdani, |date=1960 |title=Early History Of The Deccan Pts.7 To 11 |url=http://www.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/531155 |language=Unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828105828/http://www.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/531155 |archive-date=2016-08-28}}</ref>

[[Simhana]]'s second major achievement, following his Karnatak campaign, was the annexation of Kolhapur. The [[Kolhapur]] principality, ruled by the [[Silahara]] dynasty since the early 11th century, was led by the ambitious Bhoja II (1175-1215 A.D.). Bhoja's defiance against the Kalachuris and his challenge to the [[Cholas]] made him a significant threat to the Yadavas. Consequently, [[Simhana decided to fully annex Kolhapur rather than merely enforcing suzerainty, especially while he was engaged in the Karnatak campaign.<ref name=":0" />

Bhoja was initially defeated at [[Kolhapur]]and took refuge in the fort of Parnala or Panhala, where he was ultimately overthrown. The Tilivalli inscription  describes how [[Simhana]] caused Bhoja to flee from Panhala. Other records,  indicate that Bhoja was imprisoned by [[Simhana]]. Hemadri also celebrates this victory in glowing terms.<ref name=":1" />

The earliest inscriptional reference to this conquest dates to 1217 A.D.  but the Khidrapur inscription  from the [[Kolhapur]] district suggests that Yadava control over the region began as early as 1214 A.D. This implies that the Khidrapur area was under [[Simhana]]'s control even before Bhoja’s final defeat around 1215 A.D.<ref name=":2" />