Ala-ud-din Khilji's Second Conquest of Devagiri
Of the mediaeval Hindu dynasties that flourished in the Deccan region, the Yadavas (Seunas) of Devagiri (now known as Daulatabad) were one of the most illustrious. The Muslim invasion of the Deccan took place during the reign of the Yadava king, Ramadeva, also known as Ramachandra Deva (r: 1271-1312).
In the year 1296, while serving as the governor of Kara, Ala-ud-din Khilji (r: 1296-1316) invaded Devagiri. Ramadeva managed to make Ala-ud-din retreat by offering him a substantial amount of wealth. This victory not only enhanced Ala-ud-din's reputation but also provided him with the resources to eventually overthrow his uncle, Sultan Jalal-ud-din Khilji, and take the throne for himself. Shortly after, Ala-ud-din assassinated the elderly Sultan to seize power.
The capture of Devagiri was not followed by direct annexation. Ramadeva remained as the ruler of Devagiri under the condition of providing an annual tribute to Delhi.
In 1297, Ala-ud-din conquered Gujarat after defeating Rai Karan Vaghela. Rai Karan fled, while Ala-ud-din took into his harem Rai Karan's wife, the beautiful Kamla Devi. Ramadeva gave shelter to Rai Karan and his daughter Dewal Devi. With Ramadeva's help, Rai Karan gained control of Baglana, a district in Gujarat bordering Devagiri.
At the request of Kamla Devi, Ala-ud-din sent his generals to secure Dewal Devi and bring her to Delhi. Singhana, the son of Ramadeva, who had been seeking to wed Dewal Devi without his father's approval, sent his brother Bhillama to Rai Karan to renew his proposal. Bhillama convinced Rai Karan that if Dewal Devi was handed over to him, the Delhi troops would give up their pursuit and return. Rai Karan agreed. However, before the marriage took place, Alp Khan seized Dewal Devi and delivered her to Kamla Devi at Delhi.
Thus, in March 1307, Ala-ud-din sent an army led by his most trusted general, Malik Kafur Hazar Dinari, with 30 thousand horse to Devagiri. When Kafur reached Devagiri, Singhana and a portion of his army fled, while the rest surrendered to Kafur. Kafur seized a large amount of loot, including elephants and horses. Ala-ud-din had given strict orders to spare the lives of the Raja and his relatives. Ramadeva and his companions were subsequently taken captive.
Malik Kafur returned triumphant to Delhi bringing Ramadeva with him. Ala-ud-din showed great favor to Ramadeva, allowing him to return to his kingdom after a six-month stay in Delhi. The district of Navsari in Gujarat, along with some others, was added to Ramadeva's dominions. Ala-ud-din bestowed upon him the title of Rai Rayan, meaning king of kings, and presented him with a sum of one lakh gold coins for his journey back home.
Ala-ud-din's graciousness towards Ramadeva was evident, as he acknowledged the wealth he had previously taken from him that had contributed to his own success. Perhaps he believed he owed the Raja a gesture of gratitude in return.
Ramadeva thereafter remained loyal to Delhi for the rest of his life, offering invaluable assistance to Ala-ud-din in his military campaigns against other Hindu kingdoms in the South.
In 1309, Malik Kafur was sent against the Kakatiya king, Rai Prataparudra Deva of Warangal. As Kafur approached the borders of Devagiri, he diligently followed Ala-ud-din's orders to protect the lands from plunder. Ramadeva warmly welcomed the army, offering gifts to the Sultan and his generals. The army rested in Devagiri for a few days, during which time Ramadeva sent his men ahead to villages along the route to Warangal, instructing them to gather provisions and fodder for the army. He also provided a Maratha contingent to assist Kafur, and even accompanied the army for several stages before bidding them farewell and returning home.
In 1310-11, Ala-ud-din dispatched Malik Kafur to confront Veera Ballala III, the Hoysala king of Dwarasamudra (now known as Halebidu), via Devagiri. Rai Rayan Ramadeva made all the necessary arrangements for the army. He instructed merchants to supply the market with necessary goods for the army, such as leather, soft cotton, wool, bronze, and iron, at prices equal to those in the Sultan's territories. Ramadeva tasked his dalavai Parasuramadeva with guiding Kafur and his soldiers to Dwarasamudra.
Isami mentions that Ramadeva was invited to Delhi to participate in the wedding of Prince Khizr Khan in February 1312.
In 1316, when Ala-ud-din was on his death bed, Harpaldeva, the son-in-law of Ramadeva, rebelled and expelled several of the Muslim garrisons.
One of Ramadeva's daughters was married to Ala-ud-din Khilji.
In the year 1296, while serving as the governor of Kara, Ala-ud-din Khilji (r: 1296-1316) invaded Devagiri. Ramadeva managed to make Ala-ud-din retreat by offering him a substantial amount of wealth. This victory not only enhanced Ala-ud-din's reputation but also provided him with the resources to eventually overthrow his uncle, Sultan Jalal-ud-din Khilji, and take the throne for himself. Shortly after, Ala-ud-din assassinated the elderly Sultan to seize power.
The capture of Devagiri was not followed by direct annexation. Ramadeva remained as the ruler of Devagiri under the condition of providing an annual tribute to Delhi.
In 1297, Ala-ud-din conquered Gujarat after defeating Rai Karan Vaghela. Rai Karan fled, while Ala-ud-din took into his harem Rai Karan's wife, the beautiful Kamla Devi. Ramadeva gave shelter to Rai Karan and his daughter Dewal Devi. With Ramadeva's help, Rai Karan gained control of Baglana, a district in Gujarat bordering Devagiri.
At the request of Kamla Devi, Ala-ud-din sent his generals to secure Dewal Devi and bring her to Delhi. Singhana, the son of Ramadeva, who had been seeking to wed Dewal Devi without his father's approval, sent his brother Bhillama to Rai Karan to renew his proposal. Bhillama convinced Rai Karan that if Dewal Devi was handed over to him, the Delhi troops would give up their pursuit and return. Rai Karan agreed. However, before the marriage took place, Alp Khan seized Dewal Devi and delivered her to Kamla Devi at Delhi.
Malik Kafur's Expedition to Devagiri (1307)
For the last three years, Ramadeva had failed to send his tribute to Delhi. However, according to historian Isami, Ramadeva sent a messenger to Ala-ud-din to inform him that his son, Singhana, had rebelled and he was unable to take any action as he was imprisoned in the palace. Ramadeva requested Ala-ud-din to send a capable person with an army to put down the rebellion and restore the imperial authority.Thus, in March 1307, Ala-ud-din sent an army led by his most trusted general, Malik Kafur Hazar Dinari, with 30 thousand horse to Devagiri. When Kafur reached Devagiri, Singhana and a portion of his army fled, while the rest surrendered to Kafur. Kafur seized a large amount of loot, including elephants and horses. Ala-ud-din had given strict orders to spare the lives of the Raja and his relatives. Ramadeva and his companions were subsequently taken captive.
Malik Kafur returned triumphant to Delhi bringing Ramadeva with him. Ala-ud-din showed great favor to Ramadeva, allowing him to return to his kingdom after a six-month stay in Delhi. The district of Navsari in Gujarat, along with some others, was added to Ramadeva's dominions. Ala-ud-din bestowed upon him the title of Rai Rayan, meaning king of kings, and presented him with a sum of one lakh gold coins for his journey back home.
Ala-ud-din's graciousness towards Ramadeva was evident, as he acknowledged the wealth he had previously taken from him that had contributed to his own success. Perhaps he believed he owed the Raja a gesture of gratitude in return.
Ramadeva thereafter remained loyal to Delhi for the rest of his life, offering invaluable assistance to Ala-ud-din in his military campaigns against other Hindu kingdoms in the South.
In 1309, Malik Kafur was sent against the Kakatiya king, Rai Prataparudra Deva of Warangal. As Kafur approached the borders of Devagiri, he diligently followed Ala-ud-din's orders to protect the lands from plunder. Ramadeva warmly welcomed the army, offering gifts to the Sultan and his generals. The army rested in Devagiri for a few days, during which time Ramadeva sent his men ahead to villages along the route to Warangal, instructing them to gather provisions and fodder for the army. He also provided a Maratha contingent to assist Kafur, and even accompanied the army for several stages before bidding them farewell and returning home.
In 1310-11, Ala-ud-din dispatched Malik Kafur to confront Veera Ballala III, the Hoysala king of Dwarasamudra (now known as Halebidu), via Devagiri. Rai Rayan Ramadeva made all the necessary arrangements for the army. He instructed merchants to supply the market with necessary goods for the army, such as leather, soft cotton, wool, bronze, and iron, at prices equal to those in the Sultan's territories. Ramadeva tasked his dalavai Parasuramadeva with guiding Kafur and his soldiers to Dwarasamudra.
Isami mentions that Ramadeva was invited to Delhi to participate in the wedding of Prince Khizr Khan in February 1312.
Death of Ramadeva (1312)
Sometime later in 1312, Ramadeva died and was succeeded by Singhana (r: 1312), who stopped sending the annual tribute to Delhi. Kafur was sent to Devagiri for a second time to bring Singhana to submission. As soon as Singhana learned of the arrival of the Delhi troops, he fled without fighting and allowed Kafur to enter Devagiri who entered Devagiri without opposition. Kafur then took control of the administration.In 1316, when Ala-ud-din was on his death bed, Harpaldeva, the son-in-law of Ramadeva, rebelled and expelled several of the Muslim garrisons.
Notes
Ramadeva had two sons: Singhana and Bhillama.One of Ramadeva's daughters was married to Ala-ud-din Khilji.
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