Ala-ud-din remained busy with the conquest of North India and affecting reforms in civil and military spheres after his first expedition to Devagiri in 1296.

Therefore, there was comparative peace in south India and the people had almost forgotten the Delhi raider. Ramadeva, the Yadava ruler of Devagiri, sent the yearly tribute to the Delhi emperor for a few years and then stopped it in 1305 or 1306.

He had also given shelter to Karan Baghela, fugitive king of Gujarat in 1299. Delhi did not remonstrate or took any reprisal measures. This incident further encouraged Ramadeva in his refractory attitude. However, Ala-ud-din had not forgotten the riches of Deccan which had helped him in capturing the throne of Delhi.

As soon as he was free from the problems in the north, he deputed Malik Kafur who had by then risen to the position of naib sultan to chastize Ramadeva and realize from him the arrears of tribute. His 30,000 strong army was to be assisted by the forces of Khwaja Haji, Aina-ul-Mulk and Alp Khan, governor of Gujarat.

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He was further asked to bring with him Deval Rani, the younger daughter of Karan Singh Baghela who had two daughters from Kamla Devi, the elder one had died but the younger one was in his possession. On hearing of an expedition to Devagiri, Kamla Devi requested the emperor that her younger daughter be obtained.

After his defeat in Gujarat, Karan Singh had taken refuge with Ramadeva who had given him a portion of his territory to rule. Ramadeva’s son Singhana Deva had requested for the hand of Deval Rani. But the proud Rajput Karan even in exile would not agree to marry his daughter to a Maratha.

The situation, however, changed with the arrival of the Delhi sultan’s forces. Baghela king agreed to marry his daughter to Singhana Deva. But as chance would have it, the bride’s party fell into the hands of the Muslim soldiers who had gone on an excursion to Ellora. She was at once sent to Delhi.

Ramadeva was completely routed and he was sent along with his family and relations to Delhi to make submission to the emperor. He treated Ramadeva with kindness and generosity, conferred on him the title of Ray-i-Rayan and sent him back after a stay of 6 months.

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The Yadava ruler felt obliged to the Delhi sultan and remained loyal to him. This was a very diplomatic move by Ala-ud-din. He was thus able to get a loyal ally in the south that proved to be of great help in his later campaigns.