The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s5.114

c7.s5.114

Between the overthrow of the power of Málkhet (A.D. 970) and the establishment of the overlordship of Gujarát (A.D. 1151), the Siláhára rulers of the North Konkan claim independence, and, during part at least of this time, Thána was the capital of the Konkan.¹ Between the death of Mulráj (997) and the succession of Bhimdev I. (1022-1072), the power of Gujarát did not increase. But Bhimdev took the title of Rája of Rájás, and spent most of his reign in spreading his power northwards and in a great contest with Visaldev of Ajmir.² Neither Bhimráj nor his successor Karan (1072-1094) advanced his borders to the south. Nor does Sidhráj (1094-1143), the glory of the Gujarát Chálukyas, though he spread his arms over so much of the Dakhan as to fill with fear the chief of Kolhápur, seem to have exercised control over the Konkan.³ Idrisi (1135), whose details of Anahilaváda (Nahrwára) seem to belong to Sidhráj's reign, calls him King of Kings.⁴ He shows how wealthy and prosperous Gujarát then was,⁵ but gives no information regarding the extent of Sidhráj's power. Idrisi's mention of Thána (Bana) seems to show that it was unconnected with Gujarát. and this is borne out by the account of Kumár Pál's (1143-1174) invasion of the Konkan. Hearing that Mallikárjun (a Siláhára) king of the Konkan, the son of king Mahánand who was ruling in the seagirt city of Shatánand had adopted the title of Grandfather of Kings *Rájapitámaha*, Kumár Pál sent his general Ámbad against him.⁶ Ámbad advanced as far as the Káveri (Kalvini) near Navsári crossed the river, and in a battle fought with Mallikárjun on the south bank of the river, was defeated and forced to retire. A second expedition was more successful. The Káveri was bridged, Mallikárjun defeated and slain, his capital taken and plundered, and the authority of the Anahilaváda sovereign proclaimed. A'mbad returned laden with gold, jewels, vessels of precious metals, pearls, elephants, and coined money. He was received graciously and ennobled with Mallikárjun's title of Grandfather of Kings.⁷ The Konkan is included among the eighteen