Far East Kingdoms

Silharas of North Konkan
AD 800 - 1265

The Silharas (or Shilharas) ruled the modern regions of Konkan, Satara, Kolhapur and Belgaum in India, and were divided from an early stage into three branches. One ruled North Konkan (near Mumbai, former Bombay), the other South Konkan (AD 765-1029), while the third ruled regions of Satara, Kolhapur and Belgaum between AD 940-1215 until they were displaced by the Chalukyas.

The North Konkan branch of the Silharas originally started out as vassals of the Rashtrakutas (under Govinda III), sometime between the eighth and tenth centuries. Around the first century BC their territory had been held (at least in part) by the Sakas, but in the early third century was taken by the Satvahanas. Now the Silharas ruled the region of modern Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts, which was called Kapardi dweepa or Kavadidweepa in their day. The capital was Rajapur, then known as Puri. Their official language was Kannada and they were mainly Shaivites (worshippers of Lord Shiva). While both the main branches of Silharas were strong patrons of the Elephant Caves, it seems that they did not create them. This honour is generally attributed to Krishnaraja of the Kalachuri kingdom, more than a century earlier.

(Information co-authored by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha, with additional information by Manjiri Bhalerao.)

800 - 825

Granted lordship of North Konkan by Rashtrakuta king Govinda III.

825 - 850

Son.

850 - 880

Son.

Adityavarman of South Konkan offers help to the kings of Chandrapuri (Goa) and Chemulya (modern Chaul), thirty miles to the south of Bombay. This shows that the rule of the Silharas has spread to encompass the whole of Konkan. At this time, Kapardi is relatively young and it seems that the help given to the vassal ruler of Chaul must be at his expense.

Construction of the Elephant Caves in North Konkan is generally attributed to the Silharas, but there is a school of thought that gives credit for this to the Kalachuris

880 - 910

Son.

910 - 930

His daughter Lasthiyavva married the Yadava king Bhillam.

930 - 945

Brother.

945 - 965

965 - 975

Brother, and probably a usurper.

975 - 1010

Son of Vajjada. Chalukya vassal.

Aparijata allies himself to the Parmara king, Sindhuraja, in his conquest of South Kosala at the request of the Naga king of Bastar. He also rebels against the Chalukyas, and as a result the Chalukya king, Satyashreya, attacks the kingdom, his armies advancing right up to the capital at Rajapur.

1010 - 1015

Son. Dau probably married to Kadamba king, Vachavya of Thane.

1015 - 1022

Brother.

Arikesarin had taken part in the South Kosala campaign along with his father, Aparajita, and the Parmaras. But the Parmara king, Bhoja, now chooses to invade his kingdom.

1022 - 1035

Nephew. Built the temple of Shiva at Ambarnath near Kalyan.

1035 - 1045

1045 - 1070

1070 - 1127

1127 - 1148

1148 - 1155

1155 - 1170

1170 - 1197

1198 - 1200

1200 - 1245

1245 - 1255

1255 - 1265

Drowned.

1265

The Yadava kings, Krishna and later Mahadeva, have both been attacking the Konkan, and in this year Someshwara drowns while at sea in order to flee an attack. The Yadavas then appoint a governor of their own to rule the Konkan.

1265 - ?

Yadava governor.

1334

The Yadava dynasty at Devagiri is ended, with the kingdom being annexed to the Delhi sultanate, and Konkan probably along with it.