There is not much information known about the early history of the Yadavas but it is certain that they established an independent kingdom after the decline of the Chalukyas of Kalyani and also conquered a large portion of South India.

It cannot be said with certainty as to whether the Yadavas were Yaduvamsi Kshatriyas or Khatriya of some other class. However, it is certain that after the Mahabharat, Chandravamsi Kshatriyas had left Mathura and its neighboring areas and went to the South. They established their rule in Maharashtra as well.

Bhillama
The Yadavas of Devagiri regard themselves as the descendants of Krishna. Billama was known as a powerful man of this dynasty. He conquered the north portions of Krishna River and declared himself as an independent king. He made Devagiri as his capital. Bhillama ruled from 1187 to 1191 A. D. Bhillama wanted to conquer other portions of the South India as well, but was defeated and killed by Hoyasala king Ballala.

Jaitrapala
After the death of Bhillama, his son Jairugi succeeded him as a king. He was also known, rather more famous as Jaitrapala. The struggle between the Yadavas and the Kakatiyas started during his reign. Jaitrapala killed king Rudradeva of Trikaling in a terrible war and declared Rudradeva`s nephew Ganapati as king. He ruled for twenty years and died in 1210 A. D.

Sinhana
Jaitrapala was succeeded by his son Sinhana. He was the most powerful ruler of his dynasty and greatly extended the frontiers of his kingdom. He invaded Gujarat twice in 1231 A. D. and 1237 A. D. After defeating Hoyasala king, Ballala, he occupied a large portion of his kingdom, such as Sagar Bilari i.e. area near of south of Krishna river, Malapabha etc. After some time, Hoyasala king Someshwara re conquered some portion of the territory lost by his predecessor. He also denoted a village to the Bitthala temple near Pandarpur. However, Sinhana`s general again defeated the Hoyasala king and drove him away up to Kaveri. As a result of this, the Hoyasala dynasty declined after the death of Hoyasala king Someshwara. Sinhana`s general Kikana also defeated Malva king Arjunavarman and king Jajalya of Chhattisgarh.

Simhana was a very brave and powerful ruler. Sri Nilakanta Sastri observes the following regarding Simhana, "Singhana`s empire, on the other hand, was extended and established by Vicana all over what had been the Central, Western and South-Western regions of the Western Chalukya empire. Singhana also waged rather indecisive wars against Kakatiya Ganapati and the ruler of Malva."

Simhana was also a patron of education and learning. He gathered famous scholars round him and literary discussions among scholars were regular features of his court. The author of `Sangeet Ratnakar`, Sarangadhara was a prominent scholar of his court. Simhana himself wrote a commentary on his book. Pandit Gangadeva, who was a great scholar of astrology, also adorned his court. Gangadeva had built a school in a place called Patna of Khardesh, where the study of astrology books such as `Siddhanta Siromani` etc. was conducted. Thus it can be seen that besides being a brave warrior, Simhana was also a lover of education and learning.

Krishna
Simhana was succeeded by his grandson, Krishna. He is also known as Kanhara. His father probably died during the reign of Simhana. Hence, he succeeded as a king. He is credited with the conquests of Malva, Gujarat, Konkan etc.

He was a follower of Brahmanism and was a lover of education and literature. It was during his reign that Kashmiri Pandit Jalhana wrote `Sukti-Muktavali`. Another scholar Amalanand wrote commentary on Vachasapati Misra`s book `Bhamati`. This commentary was known as `Vedanta Kalpatarn.`

Mahadeva
After the death of Krishna, his brother Mahadeva succeeded him as a king. He was a brave and courageous king. He fought against the queen of Kakatiya dynasty and captured her elephant and flag. However he spared her life because he did not like to kill a woman. He also attacked North Konkan and defeated Someshwara and incorporated his kingdom into his own. He is also credited with the conquests against Karnat and Lata kings.

Mahadeva was a patron of education and learning. His court was adorned by a famous scholar Hemadra who wrote several religious books. Hemadra was also in the reign of his successor, Ramachandra. He wrote "Chaturavarga Chintamani." Krishna has also built many temples.

Ramachandra
There was a war of succession after the death of Mahadeva. Mahadeva`s son Amana wanted to capture the throne. Ramachandra fought wars against several other kings. He also fought against Malva king, but it is not known that who come out victorious. His General, Saulava Tinkama, attacked Hoyasala king, Marasimha III and surrounded his capital. The Hoyasala king was forced to submit to the General Saulava Tinkama.

During the reign of Ramchandra, Devagir was attacked by Allaudin Khilzi. Ramachandra was not prepared for this attack as a large part of his army was travelling in the south with Yuvaraja Shankar. Therefore, Ramchandra was forced to request for a treaty with the Muslim invader. However, in the meantime Yuvaraja Shanker was aware of the attack and was returning to help Ramchandra. Bht Allauddin Khilzi with his diplomacy declared that the said army was coming to help the Muslims. This forced Ramchandra to enter into a treaty with the invader. He accepted the sovereignty of Alladin Khilzi had accepted to pay annually 600 maunds pearls, two maunds diamonds and other precious stones, one thousand maund silver, silk and other precious things as tribute. Not only this, the region of Elichpur was occupied by the Muslims.

After some time Ramchandra stopped paying annual tribute. However, as a result of this, Malik Kafura was sent to Devagiri and Ramchandra was made a prisoner and was brought to Delhi in 1309 A. D.

Shankerdeva
Ramchandra was succeeded by his son, Shankardeva. He was the last ruler of Yadava dynasty. Though his father had accepted the suzerainty of Muslims, he stopped paying annual tribute to them. Malika Kafura again attacked Devagiri in 1312 A.D. Shankardeva was defeated and killed in the battle After some time his brother-in-law tried to make himself independent, but was defeated and killed by the contemporary Muslim ruler Mubaraka. Thus the rule of Yadava dynasty came to an end.

The kings of Yadava dynasty ruled over small province but some of the kings of his dynasty had extended the frontiers of their kingdom by conquering neighbouring kings. The chief reason of the decline of this dynasty was the invasion. The Yadava dynasty is especially significant for the cultural progress. The scholars who were patronized by the kings of this dynasty wrote several valuable books. Moreover, a new style was developed for building of temples, which contributed to the development of future art in this field.