Shilaharas

The Shilaharas were a dynasty of rulers who governed parts of western India, primarily in the Konkan region, from the 8th to the 13th centuries CE. Their inscriptions and historical records indicate they were feudatories of larger empires, most notably the Rashtrakutas and later the Chalukyas of Kalyani. The Shilaharas themselves are often divided into several branches, with the most prominent being those ruling the Konkan coast, Kolhapur, and Dharwad.

The Konkan branch, which held sway over the area from Thane to Goa, is the most well-documented. They were known for their patronage of arts and religion, with significant temples and inscriptions attributed to their reign. Their capital is believed to have been in various locations over time, including Thane and Elephanta. The Shilaharas of Kolhapur also played an important role in the southern Deccan.

The Shilahara rulers are often identified by the epithet "Lord of the great city of Tagara." Their administration involved a hierarchical system of officials and local governance. The dynasty's decline is generally associated with the rise of new powers in the Deccan, such as the Yadavas of Devagiri, who eventually supplanted them. The Shilaharas left a legacy of architectural contributions and a significant body of epigraphic evidence that helps illuminate the political and social landscape of western India during the medieval period.