14th century

The 14th century was a period of political turbulence and transition for Kolhapur (in present-day Maharashtra, India). With the collapse of the Yadava dynasty of Devagiri around 1317 CE under pressure from the Delhi Sultanate, the Deccan region—including Kolhapur—fell into the orbit of Islamic rule, particularly under the Tughlaq dynasty and later the Bahmani Sultanate. Despite the political shifts, Kolhapur maintained its status as a sacred pilgrimage center, especially for devotees of Goddess Mahalakshmi.

1. Political Situation

• Yadava rule ended in the early 14th century when Alauddin Khalji’s general Malik Kafur invaded Devagiri (1307–1310 CE).


• Kolhapur came under the control of the Delhi Sultanate, particularly under Muhammad bin Tughlaq (r. 1325–1351 CE), who launched several expeditions in the Deccan.


• Rebellions and administrative challenges in the Deccan led to the formation of the Bahmani Sultanate in 1347 CE under Ala-ud-Din Hasan Bahman Shah, which likely incorporated Kolhapur into its dominion.


• Kolhapur may have served as a military outpost or revenue district under changing authorities.

2. Trade and Economy

• Political instability disrupted long-distance trade to some extent, but local and temple economies remained active.


• Kolhapur’s economy relied on:




• Agricultural production (millets, sugarcane, rice),


• Local markets tied to temple activities,


• Continued craft traditions (metal, textiles, pottery).




• While foreign trade from the Konkan coast suffered due to wars, inland commerce between temple towns continued.

3. Urban and Agriculture

• Despite shifts in administration, Kolhapur remained a dense urban and sacred settlement centered around:




• The Mahalakshmi temple,


• Supporting facilities like rest houses, ponds, and markets.




• Rural agriculture expanded slowly with new irrigation tanks and wells, though larger-scale projects likely declined due to warfare.


• Urban architecture saw minor updates, mostly through local patronage rather than state-sponsored works.

4. Language and Inscriptions

• Marathi became more prominent in everyday use and began appearing in epigraphic and literary records.


• Persian entered the region through Sultanate influence—used in administration, taxation, and military correspondence.


• Fewer stone inscriptions were produced, but temple records may have been maintained locally in Modi script on palm-leaf manuscripts.

5. Religion and Culture

• Despite Muslim political rule, Hindu religious life in Kolhapur remained vibrant, particularly:




• Shakta worship at the Mahalakshmi temple,


• Shaiva and Varkari Bhakti traditions.




• Pilgrimages continued, and local Brahmin and merchant communities managed temple affairs.


• Religious festivals honoring Mahalakshmi and Tulja Bhavani maintained their local importance.


• Cultural continuity was preserved through oral traditions, temple rituals, and community memory, even under foreign rule.