Shilahara

The Shilaharas were a dynasty who ruled a significant part of the Konkan region of western India, roughly from the 8th to the 13th centuries CE. Their territory included the present-day districts of Thane, Raigad, and Ratnagiri, with their capital often shifting within this region, notably at various times in Thane, Valabhi, and Karhad. The dynasty is broadly divided into three branches, each ruling over distinct geographical areas.

The early Shilaharas are believed to have been feudatories of the Rashtrakutas and later the Western Chalukyas. Their inscriptions, written in Sanskrit and Old Marathi, provide valuable insights into their administration, religious patronage, and social conditions. They were known to patronize Brahmanical Hinduism, with many of their rulers making grants to Brahmins and supporting the construction of temples. However, evidence also suggests a degree of religious tolerance.

The Shilahara administration was characterized by a hierarchical structure with officials overseeing various departments, including revenue and justice. Their economic prosperity was largely based on maritime trade, facilitated by their control over the Konkan coast. The dynasty's decline is often attributed to internal conflicts and the rising power of neighboring kingdoms, ultimately leading to their absorption into larger empires by the 13th century.