Vijayanagar Kingdom

Vijayanagar and Other Kingdoms

VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE (1336–1565 AD)

• The Vijayanagar Kingdom and the city of Vijayanagar were founded by Harihara and Bukka (sons of Sangama). Initially, they served as feudatories of the Kakatiyas and later became ministers under the rulers of Kampili.
• The Vijayanagar Empire was situated in the Deccan region, south of the Bahmani Kingdom.
• The history of Vijayanagar is divided into four dynasties:
  
  1. Sangama Dynasty (1336–1485 AD) – Founded by Harihara and Bukka
  2. Saluva Dynasty (1485–1505 AD) – Founded by Saluva Narasimha
  3. Tuluva Dynasty (1505–1570 AD) – Founded by Veer Narasimha
  4. Aravidu Dynasty (1570–1650 AD) – Founded by Tirumala

The Sangama Dynasty (1336–1485 AD)

  Harihara I and Bukka I (1336–1356 AD)

• • Harihara I and Bukka I laid the foundation of the Vijayanagar Empire.
  • The long-standing Vijayanagar–Bahmani conflict began soon after the establishment of both kingdoms.
  • Major areas of conflict included:
    
    • Raichur Doab (between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers)
    • Krishna–Godavari Delta
    • Marathwada Region

  Bukka I (1356–1377 AD)

• • Bukka I strengthened and expanded the city of Vijayanagar.
  • He restored harmony between the Vaishnavas and the Jains.
  • Several foreign regions such as Malabar, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and other kingdoms maintained diplomatic relations and sent ambassadors to his court.

  Harihara II (1377–1404 AD)

• • Harihara II succeeded Bukka I and further consolidated the empire.

  Deva Raya I (1406–1422 AD)

• • Deva Raya I, the third son of Harihara II, is remembered for his remarkable irrigation projects.
  • He constructed a dam across the Tungabhadra River and built canals to supply water to the capital city.
  • The Italian traveller Nicolo de Conti visited Vijayanagar during his reign.

  Deva Raya II (1422–1446 AD)

• • Deva Raya II, grandson of Deva Raya I, was one of the greatest rulers of the Sangama Dynasty.
  • He defeated Ahmad Shah I of the Bahmani Kingdom and compelled him to pay a war indemnity.
  • He expanded the practice of recruiting Muslim cavalrymen and archers into the Vijayanagar army on a large scale.
  • He was popularly known as Praudha Deva Raya.
  • Inscriptions confer upon him the title Gajabetekara (“Elephant Hunter“).
  • Though a devotee of Virashaivism, he displayed respect towards all religions.
  • His court poet was Dindima, who received the title Kavisarvabhauma.
  • The Persian traveller Abdur Razzaq, envoy of Shah Rukh, visited Vijayanagar during his reign.

The Saluva Dynasty (1485–1505 AD)

  Saluva Narasimha (1486–1491 AD)

• • Saluva Narasimha founded the Saluva Dynasty and brought an end to the rule of the Sangama Dynasty.

  Tirumala (1491 AD) and Immadi Narasimha (1491–1505 AD)

• • Tirumala and Immadi Narasimha ascended the throne as minor rulers, and the administration was largely controlled by Narsa Nayaka as regent.
  • The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama landed at Calicut (Kozhikode) in 1498 AD during this period.

The Tuluva Dynasty (1505–1570 AD)

 Vira Narasimha (1505–1509 AD)

• • Vira Narasimha, son of Narsa Nayaka, became ruler after the assassination of Immadi Narasimha, the last ruler of the Saluva line.

Krishna Deva Raya (1509–1529 AD)

  Accession and Foreign Relations

• • Saluva Timmarasa, the chief minister of Vira Narasimha, placed Krishna Deva Raya (brother of Vira Narasimha) on the throne.
  • He maintained cordial relations with Albuquerque, the Portuguese governor.
  • The Portuguese ambassador Friar Luis resided at the Vijayanagar court.

  Military Achievements

• • Krishna Deva Raya conquered Orissa (Gajapati Kingdom) and significantly expanded the empire.
  • Under his leadership, Vijayanagar reached the height of its power and glory.

  Architecture and Public Works

• • He constructed the Vijaya Mahal (House of Victory).
  • He built the Hazara Rama Temple and the Vithala Swami Temple, two of the finest monuments of Vijayanagar architecture.

  Titles

• • He assumed the titles:
    
    • Yavanarajya Sthapanacharya (Restorer of the Yavana Kingdom, i.e., Bidar)
    • Abhinava Bhoja
    • Andhra Bhoja
    • Andhra Pitamaha

  Literary Contributions

• • Krishna Deva Raya was a distinguished scholar proficient in both Telugu and Sanskrit.
  • His important works include:
    
    • Amuktamalyada (Telugu work on polity)
    • Jambavati Kalyanam (Sanskrit drama)

  Ashtadiggajas (Eight Great Telugu Poets)

    His court was adorned by the famous Ashtadiggajas:

1. 1. Peddana – Manucharitam
   2. Timmaya
   3. Bhattumurti
   4. Dhurjati
   5. Mallan
   6. Raju Ramachandra
   7. Surana
   8. Tenali Ramakrishna – Panduranga Mahatmaya

  Contemporary Accounts

• • Krishna Deva Raya was a contemporary of Babur.
  • Portuguese travellers Duarte Barbosa and Domingo Paes visited Vijayanagar during his reign.
  • He is widely regarded as the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire.

Achyuta Deva Raya (1529–1542 AD)

• Krishna Deva Raya nominated his brother Achyuta Deva Raya as his successor.
• During his reign, the Portuguese horse trader Fernao Nuniz visited Vijayanagar.

Venkata I (1542 AD) and Sadasiva Raya (1543–1567 AD)

• During the reigns of Venkata I and Sadasiva Raya, actual authority was exercised by Rama Raya and his brothers.
• Through Rama Raya’s diplomacy, the five successor states of the Bahmani Kingdom frequently remained divided.

Battle of Talikota (1565 AD)

• • The Battle of Talikota, also known as the Battle of Rakshasa-Tangadi, was fought on 23 January 1565.
  • The combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates defeated Vijayanagar.
  • Rama Raya was captured and executed by Husain Nizam Shah I.

Destruction of Vijayanagar

• • Following the battle, the magnificent city of Vijayanagar was extensively plundered and destroyed.
  • Portuguese traveller Cesar Frederick visited Vijayanagar during 1567–68 AD and described its ruined condition.

The Aravidu Dynasty (1570–1650 AD)

  Tirumala Raya

• • Tirumala Raya, brother of Rama Raya, ruled in the name of Sadasiva Raya.
  • To revive the empire, he shifted the capital from Vijayanagar to Penukonda.
  • He reorganised the empire into three linguistic provinces.

  Decline

• • The Vijayanagar Empire gradually weakened after the Battle of Talikota.
  • The Aravidu Dynasty survived as the last ruling line and finally came to an end around 1646 AD.

Administration

Provincial Administration

• • The Nayankara System was the most distinctive feature of provincial administration under the Vijayanagar rulers.
  • The Ayyangar System formed the backbone of village administration.
  • Village affairs were managed by a body of 12 officials, collectively known as Ayyangars.
  • These officials were granted tax-free lands called Manyams, which they enjoyed as hereditary privileges.

Administrative Units

Coinage

• The Vijayanagar rulers issued gold coins known as Varahas or Pagodas.
• The Pratapa was a half Varaha.
• The Fanam was a smaller gold coin.
• The Tara served as a silver coin.
• The Jital was a copper coin.

Society

• Vijayanagar was the only medieval Indian empire known to employ women in state services and military activities.
• Women actively participated in administration, warfare, and public life.
• The empire also encouraged widow remarriage, improving the status of women.

   Social Groups

• • Viprulu – Brahmins
  • Rajulu – Kshatriyas
  • Nalavajativaru – Shudras
  • Vipravinodins – Artisans
  • Kaikollas – Weavers
  • Sahagaman – Sati
  • Besabaga – Forced Labour

Architecture

• The Vijayanagar rulers developed a distinctive architectural style known as the Provida Style.
• The extensive use of pillars and piers became its hallmark.
• Horse sculptures on pillars were one of the most recognizable features of Vijayanagar architecture.

Important Architectural Features

• • Mandapa – Open pillared pavilion with a raised platform for rituals and gatherings.
  • Amman Shrine – Shrine dedicated to the goddess, usually attached to major temples.

Important Temples

• • Vithalaswami Temple, Hampi
  • Hazara Rama Temple, Hampi
  • Tadapatri Temple
  • Parvati Temple, Chidambaram
  • Varadaraja Temple, Kanchipuram
  • Ekambaranatha Temple, Kanchipuram

Wall Inscriptions

• • Vijayanagar rulers popularised the practice of engraving stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata on temple walls.
  • The Vithalaswami Temple and Hazara Rama Temple are outstanding examples of this tradition.

Bahmani Kingdom

  Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah (1347–1358 AD)

• • Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah, also known as Hasan Gangu, founded the Bahmani Kingdom.
  • He established his capital at Gulbarga, the first capital of the Bahmani rulers.

  Tajuddin Firoz Shah (1397–1422 AD)

• • Tajuddin Firoz Shah was the most distinguished ruler of the Bahmani dynasty.
  • He aimed to transform the Deccan into a major cultural centre.
  • A large number of Hindus were inducted into the administration during his reign.
  • He encouraged maritime trade through the ports of Chaul and Dabhol, which attracted merchants from the Persian Gulf and Red Sea regions.

  Ahmad Shah Wali (1422–1435 AD)

• • Ahmad Shah Wali shifted the Bahmani capital from Gulbarga to Bidar.