12th century

The 12th century was a significant period of both stability and transition for Kolhapur (in present-day Maharashtra, India). It marked the peak and decline of the Shilaharas of Kolhapur, who continued to promote temple architecture, local governance, and religious patronage. However, by the late 12th century, growing pressure from the Yadavas of Devagiri and internal dynastic weakening signaled the end of Shilahara dominance.

1. Political Situation

• The Shilahara dynasty continued to rule Kolhapur, with rulers like:




• Bhoja II (c. 1175–1212 CE), who was the last known Shilahara ruler of Kolhapur.




• They maintained autonomy but were increasingly challenged by the rising Yadavas.


• By the end of the 12th century, the Yadavas of Devagiri under Bhillama V and Jaitugi I launched successful campaigns in southern Maharashtra.


• Kolhapur ceased to be an independent kingdom, falling under Yadava control early in the 13th century.

2. Trade and Economy

• Kolhapur’s location between the Konkan coast and the Deccan made it a strategic trade center.


• Temple towns flourished through:




• Land grants to temples and Brahmins,


• Donations from merchant guilds and nobility.




• Kolhapur also benefited from its agrarian economy: fertile black soils supported sugarcane, cotton, millets, and pulses.

3. Urban and Agriculture

• Kolhapur grew as a temple-based urban center:




• The Mahalakshmi Temple complex gained more endowments and architectural expansion.


• Administrative buildings and settlements emerged around the temple zone.




• Irrigation tanks, stepped wells, and stone-built granaries may have existed to support agrarian life.


• Rural settlement patterns expanded, supported by land clearance and tax exemptions recorded in inscriptions.

4. Language and Inscriptions

• Sanskrit was still used in official inscriptions, especially for grants and temple records.


• Old Marathi began appearing more prominently in local communication and early records.


• Inscriptions from this century contain:




• Endowments to Shaiva and Shakta temples,


• Descriptions of temple rituals and festivals,


• Names of rulers, priests, and merchant donors.

5. Religion and Culture

• Religion remained central to Kolhapur’s identity:




• Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur became a major regional deity, drawing pilgrims.


• Shaivism and Shaktism were both state-supported.




• Construction of Hemadpanti-style temples began to emerge in and around Kolhapur.


• Religious festivals, pilgrimages, and ritualistic traditions intensified, turning Kolhapur into a sacred hub.


• The arts—sculpture, iconography, and music—flourished in temple settings.