Yadava Dynasty: History, Rulers, Administration & Decline

The Yadava Dynasty also known as the Seuna Dynasty was a medieval Indian dynasty that ruled over large parts of present-day Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana from the 12th to the 14th centuries. According to some sources, the Yadava Dynasty traces its origins back to the ancient Yadu clan, which in turn belongs to the lineage of Lord Krishna. This illustrious dynasty left a lasting impact on the political, cultural, and economic scenario of the Deccan region. In this article, we will delve into the history, list of kings, economy, and the decline of the Yadava Dynasty.

History of the Yadava Dynasty

With the decline of the Chola Dynasty and Chalukya Dynasty, numerous kingdoms emerged in the Deccan region. The Yadava Dynasty or Seuna dynasty were the feudatories of the Rashtrakuta and Chalukya Dynasties for nearly 300 years. And with the decline of these dynasties, the Yadava Dynasty rose to power and traces its origins back to the early 12th century when King Bhillama V, fully established the independent Yadava dynasty in the Deccan region.

Also Read – Tughlaq Dynasty: Rulers of Delhi Sultanate

Who were the Rulers of the Yadava Dynasty?

Here is a list of the kings of Yadava Dynasty – 

Rulers	Year	Detail
Bhillama V	1175-1190 A.D	Bhillama V was the founder of the independent Yadava Dynasty and ruled as the first king. He successfully expanded his kingdom but lost his life in the battle of Lakkundi.
Jaitrapala	1191-1210 A.D	Also known as Jaitugi, the second king of the Yadavas continued the legacy of Bhillama V and further strengthened the empire by defeating Kakatiyas, Guraras and Kalachuris. He was known for his diplomatic skills and ability to maintain harmonious relations with neighbouring kingdoms.
Singhana	1210- 1247 A.D	Under the reign of Simhana, the Dynasty reached its pinnacle of power. He defeated rulers like Mahadeva of Kakatiya and Vira-Ballala of Hoysala. He even expanded the territory by annexing the Kolhapur region. He became dominant over the Hoysalas, Kakatiyas, Paramaras and the Chalukyas.
Krishna	1247-1260 A.D	Krishna was the grandson of Singhana and was a visionary ruler. During his rule, the famous Vedantakalpataru was written.
Mahadeva	1260-1271 A.D	He captured the Silhara Dynasty and was the brother of Krishna. He was considered an empathetic ruler.
Ramachandra Deva	1271 – 1309 A.D	Ramachandra was one of the last significant rulers of the Dynasty and faced numerous challenges during his reign. Finally, Ala-ud-din Khilji defeated him and took the kingdom under his reign.
Sankara Deva	1309-1323 A.D	He was the Successor of Ramachandra. Although he was killed by Malik Kafur in 1312 A.D. However, his brother-in-law continued the fight on his behalf but was defeated by Ala-ud-din Khilji’s son Mubarak.

How was the Administration of the Yadava Dynasty?

The Deccan kingdoms followed almost similar administrative processes in their reign. The administrations under the Yadavas were also similar.

• The King was the ultimate ruler in the administrative structure of the government.
• Nayakas, who were the military commanders,  served as the head of the provinces.
• The addition of feudatories to the kingdom was a common practice.
•  A headman headed local panchayats and the villages ranked the lowest in the administrative structure.
• Temples played a great role in the proceedings of the political and economic administrations and the Brahmadeya system was followed extensively. 

Also Read – Haryanka Dynasty: Rulers of Magadha Empire 

Economy during the Yadava Rule

The Dynasty had a flourishing economy and had a great role in promoting trade and commerce by establishing trade routes and supporting local artisans and merchants. 

• There were many taxes imposed for various purposes for – 

Imposition of Tax on	Tax Name
Farmland	Aruvana Tax
Market Tax Income	Santhey-Aya
Professional taxes for Carpenters, Blacksmiths, Cobblers, Washermen, etc	Bannige
Personal Tax for exceptional situations	Talevana

• Sunkadhikari were the primary tax collectors and had the responsibility of managing the treasure of the state.
• The official in charge of the royal treasury was the Mahabhandari.
• People who were engaged in Trade and Business were called Settis and Vyavaharas, dealers in oil were called Teligas and dealers in betel leaves were called Gatrigas or Hannavanigas.
• The most powerful trading organization in South India were the Virabalanja which had its headquarters in Aihole and had multiple branches in several cities.

Decline of the Yadava Dynasty

Alauddin Khilji invaded the kingdom in 1296 at Devagiri and  The decline of the Yadavas can be attributed to various factors. Internal conflicts and power struggles weakened the empire, making it susceptible to external invasions. The Delhi Sultanate, under the leadership of Alauddin Khilji, launched an aggressive campaign against the Yadavas, seizing their territories and asserting their dominance.
Furthermore, the Yadavas faced resistance from other emerging kingdoms in the region, which sought territorial expansion. This, coupled with internal divisions within the dynasty, ultimately led to its downfall. In the early 14th century, the Yadava Dynasty was finally overthrown by the Delhi Sultanate, marking the end of their imperial rule.

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The Yadava Dynasty was a prominent force during the medieval period in India. Its rise to power, economic contributions, and eventual decline showcase the ebb and flow of dynastic power during the medieval period. That’s all about the Yadava Dynasty! If you want to know more about topics like this, then visit our general knowledge page! Alternatively, you can also read our blog on general knowledge for competitive exams!