Vijayanagara Kingdom: Sangam, Saluva, Tuluva-Krishnadev Raya; Art, Architecture YouTube Lecture Handouts Part 1

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Vijayanagara Kingdom: Sangam, Saluva, Tuluva-Krishnadev Raya; Art, Architecture|ICSE Class 7 History

Title: The Vijayanagara Kingdom

Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq was the Sultan of Delhi, when Vijayanagara kingdom was founded.

  • The Vijayanagara Kingdom was founded by two brothers — Harihara and Bukka Raya in CE 1336
  • The Vijayanagara Kingdom was founded by two brothers — Harihara and Bukka Raya in CE 1336.
  • Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq was the Sultan of Delhi, when this kingdom was founded.
  • The Vijayanagara kingdom included the present territories of Chennai and Mysore.
  • Muhammad bin Tughluq was the Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351
  • The Vijayanagara Empire originated in southern India as a direct response to attacks from the Delhi Sultanate. The Vijayanagara Empire liberated southern India from the Delhi Sultanate. In 1336 Kapaya Nayak of the Musunuri Nayak defeated the Tughlaq army and reconquered Warangal from the Delhi Sultanate. In 1338 his own nephew rebelled in Malwa, whom he attacked, caught and flayed alive. By 1339, the eastern regions under local Muslim governors and southern parts led by Hindu kings had revolted and declared independence from Delhi Sultanate. Muhammad bin Tughlaq did not have the resources or support to respond to the shrinking kingdom. By 1347, Bahmanid Sultanate had become an independent and competing Muslim kingdom in Deccan region of South Asia.
  • Administration under the Vijayanagara Rulers: The capital of the Vijayanagara empire was Hampi, the administrative system of the Vijayanagara empire was well organised. The Vijayanagara rulers paid attention to the welfare of their people. The king was the head of the administration and he was assisted by a council of ministers, the king was worshipped by the people as the representative of God.

Administration under the Vijayanagara Rulers

  • The empire was divided into provinces, districts and villages. The provinces were 200 in number and were called Kottams. Each Kottam was under a governor known as Prantpati. He either belonged to the royal family or was an important noble. Kottams were divided into Nadus and each Nadu comprised several villages.
  • The villages had well-regulated local government consisting of councils, like our panchayats, with a headman (Aiyangar) at the top. These councils settled disputes, collected revenue and helped in maintaining law and order.

Vijayanagara

Illustration: Vijayanagara

Three dynasties ruled over the Vijayanagara Empire over a span of 230 years from 1336 to 1565. These were the Sangam Dynasty, Saluva dynasty and the Tuluva dynasty.

Krishnadev Raya

Tuluva Dynasty

  • Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana ( “Lord of the Kannada empire” )
  • Andhra Bhoja
  • Mooru Rayara Ganda ( “King of three King” )
  • Krishnadev Raya was the greatest ruler CE of 1509- the Vijayanagara Empire who reigned from 1530,
  • He built dams for irrigation and also built beautiful temples such as Vithalaswami temple and the Hazar Rama temple; and splendid palaces. He was a great scholar of Sanskrit and Telugu. He also patronised learned men and gave liberal grants to the Brahmins
  • He established friendly relations with the Portuguese. Portuguese travellers Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz also visited the Vijayanagara Empire during his reign. In fact, they were allowed to settle along the western coast and build a fortress.
  • Krishnadeva Raya was son of Tuluva Narasa Nayaka – army commander under Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya

Fernao Nuniz

They were allowed to settle along the western coast and build a fortress.

Domingo Paes

  • Said for Raya “The most feared and perfect King … a great ruler and a man of much justice” .
  • He established friendly relations with the Portuguese. Portuguese travellers Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz also visited the Vijayanagara Empire during his reign. In fact, they were allowed to settle along the western coast and build a fortress.
  • Krishnadeva Raya was son of Tuluva Narasa Nayaka – army commander under Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya – who later took control to prevent disintergration of empire and became the founder of Tuluva Dynasty
  • King was excellent general, lead from front and attended the wounded

Krishnadev Raya - Wars and Conquests

  • Raichur doab, a very fertile area, that lay between the river Krishna and Tungabhadra became the bone of contention between Bahamani and Vijayanagara empire.
  • In 1509 Krishnadev Raya՚s armies clashed with the Sultan of Bijapur at Diwani and Sultan Mahmud was severely injured and defeated. Yusuf Adil Khan was killed and the Raichur Doab was annexed.
  • Raya – reorganized army – clashes with Bahamanis (5 small kingdoms) , Gajapatis of Odisha and Portugese rising maritime power. Raids by Deccan sultans ended during his time.
  • In 1509, Krishnadev Raya՚s armies clashed with the Sultan of Bijapur at Diwani and Sultan Mahmud was severely injured and defeated. Yusuf Adil Khan was killed and the Raichur Doab was annexed.
  • Taking advantage of the victory and the disunity of the Bahamani Sultans, the Raya invaded Bidar, Gulbarga and Bijapur and earned the title “establisher of the Yavana kingdom” when he released Sultan Mahmud and made him de facto ruler.
  • Krishnadev Raya established friendly relations with the Portuguese, who set up Portuguese Dominion of India in Goa in 1510.
  • The Emperor obtained guns and Arabian horses from the Portuguese merchants.
  • He also utilised Portuguese expertise in improving water supply to Vijayanagara City.
  • Raichur doab, a very fertile area, that lay between the river Krishna and Tungabhadra became the bone of contention between Bahamani and Vijayanagara empire.
  • 19 May CE 1520 when he secured the fortress of Raichur from Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur after a difficult siege during which 16,000 Vijayanagar soldiers were killed.
  • The highlight of his conquests occurred on 19 May CE 1520 when he secured the fortress of Raichur from Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur after a difficult siege during which 16,000 Vijayanagar soldiers were killed.
  • Finally, in his last battle he completely destroyed the fortress of Gulabaraga, the early capital of the Bahmani sultanate. His empire extended over the whole of South India.
  • Before his death in CE 1529, he nominated his brother, Achyuta Deva Raya as his successor. The rule of Krishnadev Raya was a glorious chapter in the history of Vijayanagara Empire.
  • Even the ruins at Hampi tell the glorious tale of that mighty empire.
  • Raichur doab, a very fertile area, that lay between the river Krishna and Tungabhadra became the bone of contention between Bahamani and Vijayanagara empire.
  • 1565: Battle of Talikota between Deccan Sultanates and Vijayanagara kingdoms.
  • Result: Vijayanagara empire was defeated and ruined.
  • 1527: Disintegration of Bahamani Kingdom during Krishnadev Raya
  • Bidar under Barid Shahi
  • Berar under Imad Shahi
  • Bijapur under Adil Shahi
  • Ahmednagar under Nizam Shahi
  • Golconda under Qutub Shahi

Manishika