The 300 Glorious Years of Vijayanagar Empire {The city of victory}

The story is of 14th century from India. Sultan Mohammed Bin Tughluq of Delhi exposed Delhi Sultanate to Madurai, but his capital was overshadowed by shifting Daulatabad and due to token currencies misguiding policies weakened Sultan’s control in south. Taking advantage of the opportunity Harihara and Bukka in 1336 entrenched Vijayanagar Empire Kingdom on the Banks of Tungabhadra in whch in the coming time four dynasty Sangam, Saluva, Taluva and Aravidu rule Vijayanagar . When the Vijayanagar Empire was at its peak, than its extension was from Krishna Tungabhadra Basin to the Southern Peninsula in North. This is a stay important because Medieval India was nominated by the Muslim dynasty and in such situation, rise of Vijayanagar Empire like Kingdom and exist for 300 glorious years in the midst of dominating mughal empire was nothing short of like a historical achievement. According to Portuguese traveller Barbosa Vijayanagar ruler had secular approach in public policy and many of his religious sects had a lots of his religious freedom. Despite of this Vijayanagar Empire capital Hampi located in eastern Karnataka which is in today time it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage site and it is famous for its architectural grandeur. According to Portuguese traveller Vijayanagar empire was almost large as Rome. Persian Ambassador Abdur Razzaq said , he had not seen city like Hampi in the entire world .

Let’s see 300 Glorious years of Vijayanagar Empire and story of their downfall.

We see that Vijayanagar was still touching new heights everyday and become undisputed kingdom of South India at the time in India when their was utter chaos due to Timur and Babur invasion .

At that time mughal emperor Babur Krishna Deva Raya, Raya was called as the most powerful king of his era.

POLITICAL HISTORY

Harihara 1st becomes the first ruler and annex Hoysala Territory.

In 1356 Bukka Raya the second ruler king succeeded the Vijayanagar empire destruted the Madurai sultanate and expanded Vijayanagar empire in southern peninsula. But this huge change was not that much easy as it seen. After the Tughluq dynasty Delhi sultanate got declined. But after that Bahamani sultanate declared independence and came into power in deccan and highly spread itself powerfully in coming days. Bahamani sultanate becomes the one of the biggest obstacles for Vijayanagar empire infront of the northern ambitions. The rivalary between Bahamani Sultanate and Vijayanagar empire started at the time of king Bukka Raya and continued till 14th CE. Rivalry was for its fertile Tunghbhadra doab and Krishna Godavari delta but Konkan was in conflict because of its horses which were extremely important. Bahmani blocks the horse coming from north and that’s why famous horse trade which was with West Asia Konkan Goa Port became very crucial for the Vijayanagar. After long ages inconclusive rivalry as Dev Raya came into war in 1404, he restarted the war over Tungbhadra doab with new zeal. The struggle for Tungbhadra was started with a new figure but a treaty between Warangel and Bahmani sultanate had changed the balance of power in Southern India. Due to which in 1408 Dev Raya defeated by Bahmani sultan Firoz Shah. He had to face a humiliating phase at that time. For compensation he had to marry his daughter to king Firoz Shah Bahmani along with he had to handover Bankapur territory as a dowry too. But as the years passed he got an auspicious opportunity to take his revenge. As a diplomacy Dev Raya signed a treaty with Warangal which changes the balance of power of Vijayanagar in 1420 CE. Firoz Shah got defeated by Dev Raya and he recaptured the lost territories in 1425, Dev Raya 2nd came into power. He was the most powerful ruler of Sangama Dynasty in Vijayanagar Empire. Portuguese traveller says that kings of Srilanka, Pegu, and Malaya paid their tribute to Dev Raya 2nd. Under his rule their were miscellaneous reforms were done. Bahmani main power was due to his Muslim archers and cavalry, so Dev Raya decided to gave a lot of wealth to muslim archers to get his soldiers trained and organised strong cavalry, and most important Krishna Deva Raya ruler of Tuluva dynasty he came into power in1509 CE. They were the contemporary of Babur. Vijayanagar empire was at its peak during Krishna Deva Raya rule. Krishna Deva Raya was a able military general who lead the battle from front and took care of his army soldiers personally. Krishna Deva Raya defeated Bijapur Sultanate and had a great victory. Under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya Portuguese gave military aid to Krishna Deva Raya, and they got the permission to Bhatkal fort. According to historians opinions Krishna Deva Raya greatest weakness was he always underestimate the Portuguese danger. He was honoured as a great builder by historians.

Domingo Paes calls a great architectural wonder to a enormous tank built by Krishna Deva Raya in his book “Chronicles of the Vijayanagar kings” .

Vijayanagar was at a mature phase under his ruling.

Roya Gopuram was its unique innovation and it was a royal gate for whole temples. It seems so magnificent that main shrines of temples looks so dwarf infront of it. Southern Gopuram of Ekambaranthar temple is 188 feet tall built by Krishna Deva Raya. Historians refers Krishna Deva Raya rule as a golden age of literature. He produced Telugu poetry collection. Amuktamalyada and literature like Jambavati Kalyanam, Madalasa Charitra and Satyavadu Parinaya like sanskrit words were produced. Moreover Krishna Deva Raya supported Telugu Kannad or Tamil poets and scholars in his court who were known as Ashtadiggaj. Tenali Rama who is known as a Birbal of South India.

ARCHITECTURE OF HAMPI

Their are more than 1600 structure in Hampi. Abdur Razzaq a person who in 1440 visited Vijayanagar kingdom was impressed by seven tired fortification. Apart from fort their were agricultural land and canals were inside the fort, they were build with the purpose of food security in time of warfare.

Temple Architecture {Mandap ( long pillared halls)} . Roya Gopuram, Chariot streets and elaborate ornamentation were unique features of Vijayanagar innovation.

Hampi biggest temple Virupaksha temple was the main temple constructed by Krishna Deva Raya which was really huge than the main shrines of the temple. Kalyana Mandap in Vitthal temple and Hampi stones has chariot like structured. This stone chariot is also in our new noteof 50 rupees, its construction was also done by Krishna Deva Raya impressed with Konark stone chariot. Detailed carving musical pillars at Hampi are architectural wonders produces sound of 81 musical instrument.

SOCIETY

Vijayanagar had a unique social structure in which Vaishnavites were right hand caste Shavities were left hand caste.

Position of women was good in the kingdom, as they were holding the position of Accountant and Judges.

ECONOMY

The main source of revenue of Vijayanagar was land revenue , other sources were like professionals tax, property tax, industries tax etc. Stalls have been made for arisan on both sides of the main street of the city in which all kinds of arisan sell their goods . They were surprised to see that jewelers openly sell pearls , diamonds rubies and emeralds.

Domingo Paes says that “Everything was available in the market of Vijayanagar from precious stones to things of basic necessity”. Vijayanagar was known for diamond export.

Nazis says “Diamond mines of Vijayanagar were the richest mines of the world”.

DISINTEGRATION AND THE FALL OF EMPIRE

Vijayanagar’s prosperity was so high that hardly anyone could imagine its downfall, but just like other kingdom Vijayanagar had also severe inevitable end.

After death of Krishna Deva Raya in 1529 struggle off succession started. By taking the advantage Deccan Sultan started to intervene in the power struggle Aliya Raya and Achyuta Deva Raya helped Sadashiva Raya to come into power who established Aravidu dynasty. Rama Raya lead many successful battles and defeated Bijapur Golconda and Ahmednagar. In 1565 Bijapur Golconda and Ahmednagar made a united force and defeated Vijayanagar empire in Battle of Talikota which became watershed of Battle Indian History.

After this Vijayanagar capital shifted to Penukonda and kingdom excited for next 100 years glorious history of Vijayanagar empire ended in 1565 but officially kingdom ended in 1646.

CONCLUSION

The Vijayanagar Empire was a South Indian Empire based in Deccan entrench in 1336 by Harihara 1st and his brother Bukka Raya 1st.

Thus Vijayanagar empire created an impact in South Indian History by promoting Hinduism as a unifying factor . Vijayanagar or “ city of victory” was name of both a city and a empire. Vijayanagar empire reached its pinnacle of glory during its reign. But after Ramrai’s reign came to an end in 1565 when he was beaten at Talikota.