Far East Kingdoms

Silharas of South Konkan
AD 765 - 1020

In territory which had previously been part of the Vakataka empire that was created in western-central India in the fourth century, the Silharas (or Shilharas, or even Shilaharas) ruled the modern regions of Konkan, Satara, Kolhapur and Belgaum in India. They 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 South Konkan branch of the Silharas originally started out as vassals of the Rashtrakutas (under Krishna I), sometime between the eighth and tenth centuries. They ruled the territory between Sahya Mountain and the sea. 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 by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha. Additional information by Manjiri Bhalerao.)

765 - 795

Sanafulla

Founded the southern dynasty as vassals of the Rashtrakutas.

795 - 820

Dhammayira

Son. He built a fort at Vallipattana on the western Coast.

820 - 845

Aiyaparaja

Secured victory at Chandrapuri (Chandor near Goa).

845 - 870

Avasara I

870 - 895

Adityavarman

Son.

Adityavarman offers help to the kings of Chandrapuri (modern 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, the ruler of the Thane branch of the Silharas of North Konkan, is relatively young and it seems that the help given to the vassal ruler of Chaul must be at his expense.

Although the Elephant Caves were in North Konkan they would have been patronised equally by the Silharas of South Konkan thanks to the famous Trimurti statue

895 - 920

Avasara II

Son. Continued his father's policies.

920 - 945

Indraraja

945 - 970

Bhima

Son.

Bhima overthrows the petty ruler of Chandor. At this time the Kadamba ruler, Sasthadeva, and his son, Chaturbhuja, are trying to overthrow Rashtrakuta rule. This explains Bhima's opposition to Chandrapuri (Goa) and Chandor.

970 - 995

Avasara III

995 - 1020

Rattaraja

c.995 - 997

Rattaraja is loyal to the Rashtrakuta dynasty, but the increasingly powerful Chalukyas force him to switch allegiance to Tailapa II.

1020 - 1029

The Chalukyas take direct control of the kingdom, simultaneously re-capturing Kolhapur.