Prelude
Subhatavarman was succeeded by his son Arjunavarman, who achieved success in conflicts against Jayasimha, the Chalukya ruler of Gujarat. Merutunga describes Arjunavarman as the destroyer of Gujarat emphasizing his decisive victories that led to the subjugation of the region. This event is corroborated by Paramāra inscriptions. The drama Pārijātamañjarī further recounts Arjunavarman's victory over Jayasimha, detailing how he defeated the Chalukya king in the valley of Parva mountain and captured Jayasri.[3]
Additionally, Arjunavarman faced opposition from Simhaṇa, the Yadava ruler, who invaded Lāța, a territory under Arjunavarman's dominion. However, Arjunavarman received support from his feudatory, Salakhaṇasimha Chāhamāna, in this struggle. The Māndhātā plates of Jayasimha Jayavarman document the defeat of Simhaṇadeva's army by the Chāhamna leader, indicating a victory for Arjunavarman against the Yadava king.[3]
Conflicts
First Invasion of Lata
After preparations, the Yadava ruler launched an invasion of Lāța. Leading this expedition was his general named Kholeshvara, who played a pivotal role in securing victory in the ensuing battle. The Bähl inscription of 1222 A.D. documents Simhana's victory over Arjuna, suggesting that Arjuna likely met his death in the conflict while confronting Simhana.[4]
Second invasion of Lata
With his forces freed from commitments in Karnatak and Kolhapur, Simhana launched a second campaign against Lata in A.D. 1220. To lead the Yadava army, Kholesvara was selected, a choice that proved effective due to his intimate familiarity with the terrain of Khandesh and Berar, where his fief lay. Lata, remained under the rule of the Chahamana ruler Udayasimha. Despite its small size, Udayasimha's kingdom had previously repulsed Yadava advances, supported either from the Parmaras or the Chaulukyas.[5]
However, the Paramara influence was in decline, and the Chaulukya throne had been seized by the Jayantasimha. Bhima and his minister Lavnaprasada were pre occupied with ousting this upstart rather than aiding Simhana, whose loyalty to them had shown signs of wavering. In this context, Kholesvara secured a decisive victory. In the ensuing battle, King Udaysimha and his brother Sindhuraja were Killed, while Sindhuraja's son, Sangramasimha (Sankha), was captured, leading to the annexation of Broach.[5]
The Ambe inscription of Kholesvara, dating back to A.D. 1228, vividly recounts the capture of Broach. Despite this conquest, Simhana opted not to annex Lata strategically. Instead, he eventually liberated Sankha and granted him the authority to govern Broach as his vassal.[5]
Third invasion of Lata
During this period, the Chaulukyas and the Paramaras had both weakened, prompting Sankha to consolidate his position by pledging loyalty to Simhana. While his father and uncle died in conflict with the Yadavas, Lavnaprasada, the de facto ruler of the Chaulukya dynasty, seized the strategic port of Cambay from the Lata kingdom, annexing it to Gujarat. Despite initial prosperity under Vastupala's administration, Gujarat soon faced threats from the north by the king of Marwar and ominous movements from Muslim armies targeting Anahilapattana.[6]
Sensing an opportunity, Sankha issued an ultimatum to Vastupala to surrender Broach. However, Vastupala's refusal led to a failed attack on the city, resulting in Sankha's retreat in defeat. Sankha then sought to achieve his goals through coalition, persuading Simhana, his overlord, and Devapala, the new king of Malwa, to join forces against Gujarat. Once again, Kholesvara led the main force in this invasion, causing concern in Gujarat as vividly depicted in the Kirti Kaumudi.[6]
Conflicting accounts from various sources make it challenging to reconstruct the invasion's precise course. However, it seems Lavnaprasada managed to turn the tide with a clever ruse. Through espionage, he acquired Devapala's prized horse and orchestrated a forged letter, sowing discard between Simhana and his allies. Eventually, Simhana sought peace with Lavnaprasada, resulting in a treaty of mutual non-aggression and assistance around A.D. 1231.[6]
Though Simhana's campaign may not have yielded further territorial gains, it likely resulted in significant spoils and solidified his influence over southern Gujarat.[6]
Fourth invasion of Lata
Around the year 1239 AD, Simhana made another attempt, possibly his fourth, to conquer Gujarat. During the roughly eight-year interval since his last invasion of the region, significant changes had occurred in the leadership. Kholesvara, his trusted general, had passed away and was succeeded by his son Rama. Similarly, Lavnaprasada and his son Viradhvala had also died, with the latter's son Visaladeva assuming the governorship of Gujarat.[7]
Rama, the successor of Kholesvara, was eager to follow in his father's footsteps and believed he could easily overthrow Visaladeva, who had recently ascended the throne. Encouraged by Rama's advice, Simhana decided to embark on a new expedition, placing Rama himself in charge of the campaign.[7]
The ruler of Lata, a loyal Yadava feudatory, allowed Rama to proceed unhindered until they reached the Narmada River. However, there they encountered Visaladeva and his forces prepared to contest the river crossing. It is acknowledged that Rama lost his life in the conflict, and no clear victory was achieved by his troops.[7]
Aftermath
The prolonged conflict between the Yadavas and the Gurjaras, spanned over twenty years. It brought no benefit to either party but instead weakened them both. It is regrettable that Simhana could not have adopted a more far-sighted and statesmanlike perspective.[7]
The recent Muslim conquests, including the overthrow of the Gahadavalas and the occupation of a significant portion of Malwa, posed a threat to the region. Instead of aligning forces with the Gurjaras and the Paramaras, who resisted the new invader, Simhana's actions often seemed aimed at undermining them. The dynastic rivalries in the Deccan clouded their vision of the common peril they faced.[7]
