# Seuna–Hoysala Wars

The Seuna–Hoysala War was a prolonged conflict between the Seuna Yadava dynasty and the Hoysala Kingdom in southern India, beginning in the late 12th century and ending in the early 14th century. Triggered by Bhillama V of the Seuna Yadavas and Veera Ballala II of the Hoysalas, these wars were conducted by both kingdoms in their competitive embrace for territory and ambitions to dominate the Deccan region. There were constant battles and shifting politics in a contest to control areas that later became the strategically significant areas of present-day Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The conflict had a major historical shape due to the impact of the Delhi Sultanate. In 1311, an alliance with the Seuna Yadavas was struck, underscoring the political vagaries of the time. Such an extended conflict sapped the strength of both powers, eventually allowing their conquest by the Delhi Sultanate.

## Wars
### Seuna–Hoysala War of 1187

In retaliation, Ballala, the Hoysala ruler, invaded Someshvara IV, thereby compelling him to flee to Banavasi. Under Bhillama's command, Kalyani was taken by Ballala in 1186, with Devagiri chosen as the first capital of the Yadava dynasty.
By 1189, Ballala was well aware that he had reimplemented the last to recapture Banavasi and Nolambavadi. He faced Bhillama’s forces at Soratur, coming out triumphant. During the battle, the Hoysala forces killed the Yadava commander Jaitrapala and took possession of key forts, pushing the Yadavas north of the Malaprabha and Krishna Rivers extending for the next two decades.

### Seuna–Hoysala War of 1194

Jaitugi replaced Bhillama but failed to capture Lokkigundi Fort soon after Soratur. His successor, Jaitugi, quite possibly retook it shortly after. Thus, the slight of force being embarrassing to Ballala, he launched a campaign in 1194 CE, laying siege to Jaitugi until he recaptured this fort, as inscriptions from Koligunda dated 1198 CE state. Yet, after such an accomplishment, due to his uneasiness with Jaitugi's power, Ballala worked often from Lokkigundi and its surroundings, 1199 CE being the date of his presence in Lokkigundi, followed by 1200 CE in Huligere (now Lakshmesvara), and in 1205 CE in Lakkundi.
Thus, with the existence of other powers, there was hardly any scope for him to attempt another invasion. After his defeat, Simhana II, the son of Jaitugi, pursued expansion in exactly such territories which belonged to territory of the south. The few defensive measures rendered by Ballala secured some respite for the degeneration of territory under the northern control, but the deep shadow of threat by Simhana II continued to linger on the mesh of civilized life which he threatened ahead of time.

### Seuna–Hoysala War of 1202

Bhillama V, Simhana's grandfather, had suffered a crushing defeat at the battle of Soratur at the hands of the Hoysala king Ballala II. The Yadavas invaded the territories of the Hoysala to avenge this defeat. Records dating from Simhana's reign prove extension of Yadava power into the region south of the Malaprabha River starting by 1202. They controlled parts of present-day Bijapur district under Mahasena, their general Keshavadeva, by 1206. By 1212 their authority had extended into regions of what we now call Anantapur, Bellary, Chitradurga, Shimoga districts. An inscription at Gadag bears testimony to the occupation of most of today's Dharwad district by then. Additional inscriptions in Gadag, Paithan, and Tiluvalli speak of Simhana's victory over Ballala.
Wielding authority in Saundatti, formerly a Hoysala-stronghold, Rattas had now turned to support Simhana in furthering Yadava supremacy. In Banavasi, captured before 1215 by the Yadavas, Simhana installed Mayideva as governor. He was replaced in 1222 by yet another official, Vanka Ravata, hailing from Karad. By 1220, Simhana had consolidated control over territory north of the Tungabhadra River. Thus, with the Hoysalas engrossed in their contests against the Pandyas to their south, they could not efficiently counter the Yadava advance. The Hoysala–Yadava clashes were fought in 1226 and 1231, with the Yadavas gaining further victories.

### Seuna–Hoysala War of 1250

The southern region was in turmoil as Hoysala ruler Somesvara could not concentrate on Tamil Nadu affairs while trying to get back northern territories lost to the Seuna king. A 1257 A.D. inscription gives indications that sometime in his ascension or during the reign of his father, Somesvara undertook these efforts. His titles, such as Säuparaya-diakpatta and Säuvaraya-dazon-dalana, clearly point toward repeated conflict with Seuna king Kannara/Krishna. However, these campaigns on the part of Somesvara proved mostly ineffectual, as an inscription by Kannara refers to his minister as equal to Somesvara, which shows the Hoysala king's failure to retrieve the lost territories.
Not only had Somesvara failed in recovering his northern lands, but he could not also do anything to check further expansion of the Seunas. The influence of Seuna king Simhana crept into Hoysala provinces like the Shimoga and Chitradurga districts, marking therein a decay of Hoysala control. Somesvara was otherwise preoccupied with Chola affairs to the south, which made it impossible for him to effectively take a stand against the Seunas in the north, giving them the opportunity to extend their power.

### Seuna—Hoysala War of 1260

In the 1260s, the Hoysala kingdom was divided into two regions, with Narasimha III governing the northern part. Mahadeva, a ruler from another kingdom, invaded Narasimha's territory in 1266. Inscriptions found in the Hoysala region, including those in Chitradurga district, suggest some degree of Yadava influence in the area. However, Mahadeva's campaign was neither successful nor victorious, compelling him to draw back. Two Hoysala inscriptions state that Mahadeva underestimated Narasimha's military strength. According to these records, with much confidence, Mahadeva entered the battlefield on an elephant but was defeated and fled on horseback under the cover of night. His general Balugideva Saluva was killed in the battle.

### Seuna–Hoysala War (1275–1311)

The Yadavas, having been defeated by the Hoysalas, established a campaign to retaliate under Mahadeva's nephew Ramachandra. After two to three years of preparation, Ramachandra sent an army led by leaders like Saluva Tikkama, Joyideva, and Harapala. In 1275, Tikkama invaded Hoysala territory and encamped at Belavadi, close to the Hoysala capital, Dvarasamudra. In early 1276 he had a fantastic victory against Narasimha III's Hoysala army sent against him. Another Yadava army, led by Kannaradeva, attacked Doravadi and emerged victorious at a great loss, for Vanadevarasa was captured and slain by Singeya Nayaka, the Hoysala governor.
Tikkama has continued with the siege of the Hoysala capital, and there have been great battles, killing many of the Hoysala generals. Finally, late in the day on April 25, 1276, Ankeya Nayaka, son of the Hoysala commander-in-chief, rose and attacked, forcing Tikkama to retreat to Dhummi. Although the contest continued, they finally could not take the Hoysala capital from the Yadavas. Nevertheless, the Seuna records suggest that Tikkama took the capital and forced the Hoysalas, at least in theory, to pay tribute.
In 1296, the Delhi Sultanate under Alauddin Khalji and Nusrat Khan invaded Devagiri, destroying it utterly. When Khalji departed the two kingdoms resumed military operations. In 1311, Malik Kafur invaded the Hoysala capital, and Ramachandra allied with him to successfully defeat the Hoysalas in that venture.

## List of Conflicts

| Conflict | Seunas | Hoysalas | Result |
| Battle of Kalyani (1187) | Bhillama V | Vera Balla | Seuna victory |
| Capture of Basavakalyana (1189) | Bhillama V | Vera Balla | Seuna victory |
| Capture of Banavasi (1189) | Bhillama V | Vera Balla | Hoysala victory |
| Capture of Nolambavadi (1189) | Bhillama V | Vera Balla | Hoysala victory |
| Battle of Soratur (1190) | Bhillama V Jaitrasimha † | Vera Balla | Hoysala victory |
| Capture of Lokkigundi | Jaitugi | Vera Balla | Seuna victory |
| Capture of Lokkigundi (1194) | Jaitugi | Vera Balla | Hoysala victory |
| Capture of Bijapur district (1206) | Simhana II Kholesvara | Vera balla | Seuna victory |
| Capture of Anantapur (1212) | Simhana II | Vera Balla | Seuna victory |
| Capture of Ballari (1212) | Simhana II | Vera Balla | Seuna victory |
| Capture of Chitradurga (1212) | Simhana II | Vera Balla | Seuna victory |
| Capture of Shimoga (1212) | Simhana II | Vera Balla | Seuna victory |
| Capture of Dharwad (1213) | Simhana II | Vera Balla | Seuna victory |
| Capture of Banavasi (1215) | Simhana II | Vera Balla | Seuna victory |
| Battle of Belagutti (1217) | Simhana II | Vera Balla | Seuna victory |
| Battle of Neralige (1224) | Harihara | Narsimha | Seuna victory |
| Capture of Shimoga (1250) | Krishna | Someshwara | Seuna victory |
| Capture of Chitradurga (1250) | Krishna | Someshwara | Seuna victory |
| Mahadeva Invasion of Hoysala (1266) | Mahadeva | Narsimha III | Hoysala victory |
| Battle of Belavadi (1275) | Tikkama Saluva | Anka Maideva | Seuna victory |
| Battle of Doravadi (1276) | Kanndadeva Vanadevarasa † | Singeya Nayaka | Seuna victory |
| Skirmish at Dvarasamudra | Tikkama Saluva | Nanjeya † Gullaya † | Seuna victory |
| Siege of Dvarasamudra (1276) | Tikkama Saluva | Narshima III Ankeya Nayaka | Indecesive |
| Battle of Nulgeri (1302) | Yebaranayaka | Kétanayaka | Indecisive |
| Battle of Holalakere (1303) | Kapildeva | Someya † | Seuna victory |
| Siege of Dvarasamudra (1311) | Malik Kafur Ramachandra | Balla III | Delhi–Seuna victory |