Karṇadeva, a.d. 1296–1304.Sáraṅgadeva’s successor Karṇadeva ruled for eight years a.d. 1296–1304 (Saṃvat 1352–1360). Under this weak ruler, who was known as Ghelo or the Insane, Gujarát passed into Musalmán hands. In a.d. 1297 Alaf Khán the brother of the Emperor Alá-ud-dín Khilji (a.d. 1296–1317) with Nasrat Khán led an expedition against Gujarát. They laid waste the country and occupied Aṇahilaváḍa. Leaving his wives, children, elephants, and baggage Karṇadeva fled to Ramadeva the Yádava chief of Devagiri.[39] All his wealth fell to his conquerors. Among the wives of Karṇadeva who were made captive was a famous beauty named Kauládeví, who was carried to the harem of the Sultán. In the plunder of Cambay Nasrat Khán took a merchant’s slave Malik Káfur who shortly after became the Emperor’s chief favourite. From Cambay the Muhammadans passed to Káthiáváḍa and destroyed the temple of Somanátha. In 1304 Alaf Khán’s term of office as governor of Gujarát was renewed. According to the Mirát-i-Ahmadí after the renewal of his appointment, from white marble pillars taken from many Jain temples, Alaf Khán constructed at Aṇahilaváḍa the Jáma Masjid or general mosque.

In a.d. 1306 the Cambay slave Káfur who had already risen to be Sultán Alá-ud-dín’s chief favourite was invested with the title of Malik Naib and placed in command of an army sent to subdue the Dakhan. Alaf Khán, the governor of Gujarát, was ordered to help Malik Káfur in his arrangements. At the same time Kauládeví persuaded the Emperor to issue orders that her daughter Devaladeví should be sent to her to Delhi. Devaladeví was then with her father the unfortunate Karṇadeva in hiding in Báglán in Násik. Malik Káfur sent a messenger desiring Karṇadeva to give up his daughter. Karṇadeva refused and Alaf Khán was ordered to lead his army to the Báglán hills and capture the princess. While for two months he succeeded in keeping the Muhammadan army at bay, Karṇadeva received and accepted an offer for the hand of Devaladeví from the Devagiri Yádava chief Śankaradeva. On her way to Devagiri near Elura Devaladeví’s escort was attacked by a party of Alaf Khán’s troops, and the lady seized and sent to Delhi where she was married to prince Khizar Khán.
Chapter III.
The Vághelás, a.d. 1219–1304
Karṇadeva, a.d. 1296–1304. Nothing more is known of Karṇadeva who appears to have died a fugitive.

Though the main cities and all central Gujarát passed under Musalmán rule a branch of the Vághelás continued to hold much of the country to the west of the Sábarmatí, while other branches maintained their independence in the rugged land beyond Ambá Bhawání between Vírpur on the Mahí and Posiná at the northmost verge of Gujarát.[40]

GENEALOGY OF THE VÁGHELÁS.

Dhavala,
a.d. 1160
Married Kumárapála’s Aunt.
Arṇorája,
a.d. 1170
Founder of Vághela.
Lavaṇaprasáda,
a.d. 1200
Chief of Dholká.
Víradhavala,
a.d. 1233–1238
Chief of Dholká.
Vísaladeva,
a.d. 1243–1261
King of Aṇahilaváḍa.
Arjuṇadeva,
a.d. 1262–1274.
Sáraṅgadeva,
a.d. 1274–1295.
Karṇadeva orGhelo,
a.d. 1296–1304.

[1] Ánáka survived Kumárapála and served also under Bhímadeva II. Seeing the kingdom of his weak sovereign divided among his ministers and chiefs Ánáka strove till his death to re-establish the central authority of the Solaṅki dynasty. Káthavate’s Kírtikaumudí, xiii. [↑]

[2] Rás Málá (New Edition), 200. [↑]

[3] Kírtikaumudí, Bombay Sanskrit Series Number XXV. [↑]

[4] Ind. Ant. VI. 188 footnote. According to Merutuṇga a cotemporary chronicler an epigram of Bhíma’s minister turned back Subhaṭavarman. [↑]