Eternal India Encyclopedia

LURE - THRU THE AGES

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VIJAYANAGARA EMPIRE 1336-1565 A.D.

* Devaraya II defeated the Bah- manis in c. 1423. drove back Gajapati (a Kalinga ruler), fought two wars with Bahmanis (1435- 36 and 1443) * Defeat of Gajapati by Krish- nadeva Raya (in 1509), killed Yusuf Adil Shah (Bahmani King), in 1510; conquered the fort of Udayagiri from Gajapati in 1513; victory of Shahi sul- tans in the battle of Talikote (1565) during the reign of Ramaraya. the greatest of the Vijayanagara rul- ers; the Kingdom attained the height of its power during his reign. A military strategist, shrewd administrator, great warrior, scholar, poet, writer of excellence and a patron of art, letters, scholars Krishnadeva Krishnadeva Raya 1509-1529 Raya was

Overview *

Founded by the Sangama brothers Harihara and Bukka under the guid- ance of their Guru Vidyaranya. The establishment of the Vijay- anagara Empire was significant, since it was created at a time when the whole of South India was feeling the effects of the invasions of the Delhi rulers. Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu dynasties ruled Vijayanagara Kingdom. Persecution of Hindus by Delhi Sul- tans and declining image of Hinduism was the prime cause for the establish- ment of Vijayanagar empire. Vidyaranya, the head of the Sringeri monastery, helped Harihara and Bukka in establishing the Vijayanagara em- pire as a bulwark against the- spread of Muslim power in the south.

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Advent *

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Land Revenue 'Sist', was the principal source of income; Athavane (Land dept.); Kandachara (Military dept.) controlled by Dandanayaka (Commander-in- Chief). Hinduism revived during this period; Sringeri and Tirupati received great royal patronage.

and writers; wrote 'Amukta Malyada' in Tel- ugu language and ‘Jambavati Kalyana’, a Sanskrit play. He had in the court 8 great scholars known as Ashtadiggajas . Domingo Paes, the Portuguese traveller writer, "He is the most feared and perfect King, ............ He is a- great ruler and a man of much justice but subject to sudden fits of rage ......... Vijayanagar is the best provided city in the world. .......... The streets and markets are full of laden oxen without count”. Impact * The Battle of Talikote (1565) was decisive and one of the major political events in South Indian history; witnessed the break- ing up of Vijayanagara empire and political disintegration. Though the empire contin- ued it was no longer the political force that it had been. The rulers of Golkonda and Bijapur took its northern territories, other feudatories like Keladi, Mysore, Tanjore, Madurai, Jinji became independent. Kar- nataka lost its political unity for a period of 4 centuries after this fatal event. Administration * Centralised administration with all its branches carefully organised. * King was the supreme authority in civil, military and judicial affairs; he was as- sisted by a Council of Ministers. * The empire was subdivided into rajya, mandala and chavadi. * Gold, silver and copper coins used.

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Chronology

Sangama Dynasty 1336-1485

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(1336-1354) (1354-1377) (1377-1404) (1404-1406) (1406-1422) (1422-1425) (1425-1447) (1447-1485) (1465-1485)

Harihara

Bukkaraya (Krishna Raya)

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Harihara II

Bukka II

Devaraya I Veeravijaya Devaraya II Mallikarjuna Virupaksha

Strengths *

Able guidance of Hindu guru Vidyar- anya to establish the empire.

The reign of Krishnadeva Raya

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Saluva Dynasty 1485-1503

Construction of beautiful temples and monuments.

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(1485-1491) (1491-1491) (1491-1503)

Narasimha I Thirumala Narasimha II

All-round development.

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Achievements *

Tuluva Dynasty 1503-1565

Only Hindu kingdom of South India.to oppose the onslaught of Islam. Filled the political vacuum in South India created by the fall of Hoysalas, Kakatiyas, Pandyas and other minor king- doms.

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(1503- 1509) (1509- 1529) (1529- 1542) (.1542-1565)

Veera Narasimha Krishnadeva Raya

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Achutaraya

Sadashivaraya

Aravidu Dynasty 1570-1650

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(1542-1565) (1565-1572) (1572- 1586) (1586- 1614) (1617-1632) (1632-1642) (1642-1646) (1614)

Ramaraya Tirumala Sriranga Venkata II Sri Ranga II

Weakness *

Inefficient rulers; constant feud among the Royal family for power.

Decline *

Ramaraya actively exploited the quar- rels among the Deccan Sultanates sid- ing with one against another. He was successful for sometime, but in 1565, the Sultanates with the exception of Berar, united against Vijayanagar at the battle of Talikote (1565) and destroyed it.

Ramadeva raya Venkata III Sri Ranga III

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WARS

* Conflict between Bahmanisand Bukka I over Krishna-Tungabhadradoab.