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Vijayanagara Empire
The Origin of Vijayanagara Empire
● The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in AD 1336
by Harihara and Bukka of the Sangama dynasty,
at Vijayanagara (present-day Hampi), situated on
the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River.
● The two Sangama brothers were in the service of
the Kakatiya ruler of Warangal, Prataparudra II.
● After the Muslim conquest of the Kakatiya
kingdom in AD 1323, they joined the kingdom of
Kampili in modern Karnataka as ministers
in the royal court.
● After establishing their sway over Kampili at first
for the Sultan, the two Sangama brothers
returned to the Hindu fold at the initiative of Safat
Vidyaranya, proclaimed their independence, and founded a new city on the South bank
of the Tungabhadra, in AD 1336, which was called Vijayanagara (city of Victory) or
Vidyanagara (city of Learning).
● The capital of the kingdom was Hastinavati (Hampi).
● Vijayanagar’s rivals were Bahmani Sultans with whom they fought many battles.
● The areas of contention were Tungabhadra doab (between Krishna and Tungabhadra),
Krishna-Godavari Delta, and Konkan areas of Marathwada.
● The Vijayanagara kings' royal insignia depicts four elements: The Sun, Moon,
Dragger, and Boar. The picture of a boar, though a significant symbol in Hindu
mythology, is the most uncommon for an ancient Indian emblem.

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Sources of Vijayanagara Empire

Literary Sources Sources Informations

Foreign Traveller's ● Rehla or Tuhfat-un-Nuzzar by Ibn ● Account of the empire under

Accounts Battuta (Moroccan traveller) Harihara I.
● Aukiamalayada by Krishna Deva
Raya

Indigenous Works ● Manucharitam by Allasani Peddan ● Polity and political ideas of

● Gangadasa Pratapa Vilasam by the rulers society and caste
Gangadhara system.

Archaeological ● Saluvabhyudayam by Rajanatha ● A contemporary drama,

Sources Dindima deals with the siege of
Vijayanagara city by the
Bahmanis and the Gajapatis
of Orissa after the death of
Deva Raya II.
● Historical ecology of the
Saluva dynasty.

Inscriptions ● Bagpelosi copper plate inscription. ● Achievements of Harihara

● Bitragunta grant of Sangama II. I.
● Channa Raya Pateeka inscription of ● Genealogy of 5 Sangama
Harihara II. brothers.
● Srirangam copper plales of Deva ● Successful invasions of
Raya II. Bukka I.
● Devulapalli copper plates of ● Achievements of Bukka I.
Immadi Narasimha. ● Genealogy of Saluva
dynasty.

The Vijayanagara Monarchs

The Sangama Dynasty

Harihara I ● He was the founder of the Sangama dynasty.

(AD 1336-1356) ● He took part in 1344 in the confederacy organized by Krishna Nayak of
Warangal to drive out the Muslims from the Deccan.

Bukka I ● He is described in inscriptions as the master of the Eastern, Western,

(AD 1356-1379) and Southern oceans.
● He brought about reconciliation between Ihe Jains and the Vaishnavas
by asking them to worship in their own manner with equal freedom.
● He was succeeded by Harihara II.

Harihara II ● Bukka I was succeeded by his son Harihara II.

(AD 1379-1404) ● He was the first ruler to assume the legal title of Raja Parmeshwara,
Maharajadhiraja.
● He embarked upon a policy of expansion towards the Eastern sea coast,
led the Vijayanagara Empire into fresh conflicts.
● Sent an expedition to northern Sri Lanka.
● Took control over Belgaum and Goa from the Bahamani kingdom.

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Deva Raya I ● He was defeated by the Bahmani ruler Firoz Shah and had to pay a huge
(AD 1406-1422) indemnity.
● He constructed a dam across the Tungabhadra and Hiradra rivers and
used canals to counter the shortage of water.
● In 1420, Nicolo de Conti Italian visited the city and had given its vivid
description.

Deva Raya II ● He employed a large number of Muslims in his service and gave them
(AD 1422-1446) Jagirs.
● He allowed freedom of religion to Muslims and used to place a copy of
Quran in front of his throne.
● He defeated the Gajapati rulers of Odisha.
● Abdur Razzaq, the ambassador of Persian monarch Shahrukh (son of
Timur) visited Vijayanagara.
● According to Nuniz, the kings of Sri Lanka and Tennasserim (Malay and
Burma) paid tribute to him.

The Saluva Dynasty (AD 1486-1505)

● Saluva Narasimha was the founder of Saluva dynasty.

● Narasimha was succeeded by Tirumal (1491) and Immadi Narasimha.
● Vasco Da Gama landed in Calicut during his reign in 1498.

The Tuluva Dynasty (AD 1505-1570)

● Vira Narasimha was the founder of the Tuluva dynasty.

● According to Nuniz, he was a pious king and distributed gifts at sacred places.

Krishna Deva ● He was the greatest ruler of Vijayanagara.

Raya ● He took titles like Andhra Bhoja, Andhra Pitamah, Abhinav Bhoja.
● Domingo Paes, a Portuguese traveller visited during his reign.
● He built the famous temples of Krishnaswamy, Hazara Ramaswamy
and Vittalaswamy.

Krishnadeva Raya’s Ashtadiggajas

Krishnadeva Aaya’s court was adomed by the following Ashtadiggajas (the
eight celebrated poets)

Peddana wrote Manucharitam and Harikathasaransamu

Timma wrote Parijatapaharavam

Madaya wrote RajaSekara charitam

Dhurjate wrote Kalahasti Mahatyam

Surana wrote Raghava Pandaviyam and Prabhavati Pradyuman

Tenali wrote Panduranga Mahatyam

Ramalingam

Ayyalaraju wrote Sakalamatasara Sangrahars

Ramabhadra

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Rama Raja was the eighth diggaj, who wrote Kavyalankora

Bhushan Sangrahamu.

Sadashiva ● He was a mere puppet in the hands of his minister Rama Raya.
● Deccani States joined together and formed a Quadruple alliance
(Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmednagar and Bidar against Vijayanagara).
● Ibrahim Qutab Shah of Golconda played an important part in bringing
about this alliance. Resulted in the Battle of Talikota/Rakshasa
Tangadi/Bannighati in which Vijayanagara was badly defeated,
● Battle of Talikota (1565)
○ Between Vijayanagar and Deccan states (combined armies of
Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, and Golconda)
○ Rama Raya commanded the forces; he lost the battle and was
later executed.
○ This battle is generally considered the signal for the end of
Vijayanagar

The Aravidu Dynasty (AD 1570-1652)

Venkata II ● He was the last great ruler of Vijayanagara who kept the empire
intact.
● The only exception was that in 1612 Raja Wodeyar founded the State
of Mysore.

Vijayanagara Administration
● The King kingship was based on the principle of absolute monarchy but of the
benevolent type.
● He was the highest court of appeal and the supreme law-giver.
● Central Administration
○ There was a Council of Ministers, headed by a Prime Minister, to assist and
advise the king in administrative matters.
○ Mahapradhani (Chief minister) led lower-ranking officers, like Dalavay
(commander), Vassal (guard of the palace), Rayasam (secretary/ accountant),
Adaippam (personal attendant), and Kariya-karta (executive agents).
● Provincial and Local Government
○ The empire was divided into different administrative units Manadalams or
Rajyas (Provinces), Nadus (Districts), Sthalas (Sub-districts), and finally into
Gramas (Villages).
○ The number and size of the Manadalams varied from time to time. Each province
was under a Governor, described as Madalesvara or Nayaka.
● Revenue Administration
○ Land revenue from crown lands was the most important source of revenue. It
was fixed on the basis of crop cultivation and the quantum of yield obtained.
○ Generally, 1/6th of the gross produce was collected as revenue. But sometimes, it
was raised to 50%.
○ Prostitution was regulated and heavily taxed.
○ Kaikkolas, a class of weavers and barbers were exempted from taxation. Private
owners of worn shops paid an industries tax.

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Some important Revenue Terms

Economic Terms Related With

Fawazil Surplus extracted from the area

Mahsul Collected revenue

Kismat Subsidiary tax

Bhandarawada The crown village

Manyam Tax free village

Devadana Land granted to temple

Amaram Village granted to military chiefs (Nayaks)

● Judicial Administration
○ King administered the justice impartially. He presided over the Sabha, the
highest court of appeal.
○ There were also village courts, caste panchayats, and guild organizations to
dispose of petty offenses like violation of caste rules and rules of trade.
○ Generally, Dharmasastras formed the basis on which cases were decided.

The Nayankara and Ayagar Systems

● It is likely that many features of amara-nayaka system were derived from the iqta system of
the Delhi Sultanate.
● The amara-nayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the
raya.
● Under the Nayankara system, military chiefs were assigned a piece of land called Amaram.
● These chiefs known as Nayaks of Palaiyagars had revenue and administrative rights on their
lands.
● They were required to maintain elephants, horses, and soldiers in certain numbers which
were to be provided to the king during wars.
● They also had to pay a particular sum of money to the central exchequer.
● The Nayaks were independent in their areas and were non-transferable.
● The Ayagar system was an important feature of village administration.
● Under this system body of twelve functionaries, known as Ayagars, conducted every village
affairs.
● They were granted tax-free lands which they were to enjoy in perpetuity.
● An important feature of Ayagar system was that Ayagars were hereditary officials and there
could be no sale or purchase of land, in the village, without their permission.

● Military Administration
○ There was a well-organized and efficient standing army.
○ Some of the Nadaprabhu (in-charge of Nadus) like the Gaudas of Bangalore
practically protected the boundaries from foreign invasions and even helped
in suppressing the defiant provincial governors and vassals.
○ Ordinary soldiers of the royal army were usually paid in cash, but big officers
were granted territory (Amaram) with fixed revenue in lieu of their salaries.

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Famous Travellers to Vijayanagara Kingdom

Travellers Brief Descriptions

Ibn Battuta He was a Moroccan traveller, who left an account of Harihara I's reign in his
book Rehla also called Tuhfat-un-Nuzzar ft Gharaibul-Amsar Wa Ajaib-ul-
Assar.

Nicolo de Conti An Italian traveller who visited during the time of Deva Raya 1.

Abdur Razzak Ambassador of Shahrukh of Samargand at the court of the Zamorin of

Calicut. He gave an account of the reign of Deva Raya II.

Athanasius Nikitin A Russian merchant, who described the conditions of the Bahamani kingdom
under Muhammed IIL in his Voyage to India.

Duarte Barbosa A Portuguese who has given a vivid account of the Vijayanagara Government
under Krishnadeva Raya in his famous book An Account of Countries
Bordering the Indian Ocean and their Inhabitants.

Dominigas Paes Portuguese traveller, who spent anumber of years at Krishnadeva Raya’s
court and has given a glowing account of his personality.

Marcopolo The only traveller who could rival, Ibn Baltuta’s tag of The greatest medieval
traveller arrived at India’s opposite extremily, a Tamil port, enroute fram
China in AD 1290. Marcopolo to his surprise found that ina peninsular India,
there were tailors.

Vijayanagara Society
● Allasani Peddana, in his Manucharitam, mentions the four castes that existed in the
Vijayanagara society.
○ Viprulu or Brahmins followed the traditional profession of teachers and priests.
○ Rajulu or Rachavary were generally associated with the Ruling dynasty.
○ Matikaratalu or Vaishyas were the same as merchants who carried on trade and
commerce.
○ Nalavajativaru or Shudras were mainly agriculturists, but some of them carried
on several other professions.
● The practice of dancing girls atlached to temples was also in vogue.

Women’s Status
● Women occupied an honourable position in the Vijayanagara society.
● Some of them were very learned and were eminent laureates.
● Gangadevi, wife of Kampana (one of the sons of Bukka I), wrote Madura-vijayam.
● Hannamma was a prominent scholar in the court of Prauda Deva.
● Tirumalamma was a distinguished poetess in sanskrit in the reign of Achyuta Raya.
● According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in the Vijayanagara Empire were experts
in Wrestling, Astrology, Accounting, and Soothsaying.

● The plight of widows was pitiable, but they could remarry. The state encouraged widow
re-marriage by not levying any tax on it.
● An inscription dated AD 1534 gives evidence of one Malgaura committing sati.
● Krishnadeva Raya himself married a Ganika called Chinnadevi.

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Religion and Philosophy
● Early Vijayanagara rulers were followers of Saivism.
● Virupaksha was their family God.
● Later they came under the influence of Vaishnavism. But Siva continued to be
worshipped.
● Vaishnavism was professed in various forms. Sri Vaishnavism of Ramanuja was
highly popular.
● The Dvaita System of Madhava was also practiced.

Economic Conditions
● Agriculture
○ It was in a flourishing condition.
○ It was the policy of rulers to encourage agriculture in the different parts of the
empire and to increase agricultural production by a Wise Irrigation Policy.
○ Nuniz, the Portuguese traveller, speaks of the construction of a dam and
excavation of canals.
● Industries
○ The agricultural wealth was supplemented by numerous industries, the most
important of which were textiles, mining, and metallurgy. Another important
industry was perfumery.
○ Industries and crafts were regulated by guilds.
● Trade
○ The most important commercial area on the West coast was Malabar, with its
important port of Cannanare.
○ Among the exports, the main items were cloth, spice, rice, iron, saltpeter,
sugar, etc.
○ The main imports consisted of horse, elephant, pearl, copper, coral, mercury,
China silk, and velvet.
● Coinage
○ The Vijayanagara emperors issued a large number of gold coins, called
Varahas/Pagodas (Varahas because the most common symbol was Varaha the
Boar incarnation of Vishnu).
○ Harihara I and Bukka I used the Hanuman symbol in their coins.
○ Krishna Deva Raya’s coins had the figures of Venkatesh and Balkrishna.
○ Achyuta Raya used Garuda while Tirumala maintained the original Varaha.

Terms

Kudirai Chettis Horse Merchants

Vipravinodis Artisans

Kaikkolars Weavers

Tottiyans Shepherds

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The Cultural Contribution of Vijayanagara
Architecture
● The temple-building activity of the Vijayanagara rulers produced a new style, called
the Vijayanagara style. Though, often characterized as Dravida style, it had its own
distinct features.
● The large number of pillars and the complicated manner in which they were
sculptured are some of its distinct features.
● The horse was the most common animal to be depicted on the pillars.
● The temples had a Mandapam or open pavilion with a raised platform, generally
meant for seating the deity on Special occasions.
● These temples also had a Kalyana Mandapam with elaborately carved pillars.
● The most magnificent of the temples in this style are in Hampi (Vijayanagara).
Vitlalaswami and the Hazara Ramaswarni temples are the best examples.
● The Raya Gopurams, towers in commemoration of the visit of emperors in different
corners of the empire, are also important examples of architecture of the period.
● In the Vijayanagara temples, the central part was occupied by the Garbhagriha, the
sanctum cell where the presiding deity was installed.

Literature

Authors Books

Krishnadeva Raya Amuktamalyada (a book on polity) Jambavati Kalyana

Allasani Peddana Manucharitam

(Andhrakavi Pitamha) Harikatha Sarammsama

Tenali Ramakrishna Pandura Ngamahatyam

Tirumala Commented on Jayadev’s Gitagovinda

Dikshitar Commentary on Vedas

Vemana Vemanasatakas

Elugandi Peddana Translated Leelavati, a book on Mathematics

Chamarasa Prabhulinglai

Virupaksha Pandit Chennabasva Purana

Kumara Vyasa Composed Mahabharata in Kannada

Bhimakavi Basava Purana

Dharajati Kalahastimahatyam

Madayya Rajasekhara charitam

Ramabhadra Sakaramatasara Sangraham

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Vijayanagara Art
● Music
○ Vijayanagara period is known for origin of Carnatic music under Purandhar
Das period known for origin of Rudraveenas.
● Dance
○ Bharatanatyam was promoted.
● Drama
○ Yakshagana was a popular dance and drama closely associated with temple
walls.
● Paintings
○ Themes of Ramayana and Mahabharata on temple walls.
● Sculpture
○ Largest number of portrait sculptures in this period.
○ Portrait sculpture of Krishnadeva Raya and his queen is seen at Tirumala.

The Bahmani Kingdom

● In 1345, Zafar Khan declared independence from the Sultanate and took the title
Bahaman Shah, inaugurating the Bahmani dynasty.
○ Hasan Gangu (another name of Zafar Khan/Bahman Shah)
○ He assumed the title of Alauddin Hasan.
○ Bahman Shah started the Bahmani kingdom with Gulbarga as its capital.
○ After successful campaigns, he styled himself as the Second Alexander on
coins.
○ Administratively, he adopted the Delhi Sultanate’s structure, dividing his
realm into four regions (Gulbarga, Daulatabad, Bidar, and Berar) termed as
‘Tarafs’.
● Mahmud Shah I(1358-75) son of Bahman Shah assured power in Bahmani after him.
○ He fought with Vijayanagara.
○ He appointed a council of eight ministers of state:
■ Vakil-us-saltana - Lieutenant and immediate subordinate of the
sovereign.
■ Waziri-kull - Supervised the work of all other ministers. 24 Bahamani
and Vijayanagara Empire
■ Amir-i-jumla - Minister of Finance
■ Wasir-i-ashraf - Minister of foreign affairs and Master of ceremonies.
■ Nazir - Assistant minister for finance.
■ Peshwa - Associated with the lieutenant of the kingdom.
■ Kotwal or chief of police and city magistrate in the capital.
■ Sadr-i-jahan - Chief justice and Minister of religious affairs and
endowments.
● Firoz Shah (1397-1422) was the most remarkable figure in the Bahmani kingdom,
○ He was determined to make Deccan the cultural centre of India.
○ He inducted Hindus into his administration to a large extent.
○ He built an observatory at Daulatabad.
○ He founded the city of Firozabad on the bank of river Bhima.
○ Firoz defeated Deva Raya I.
● Ahmed Shah Wali (AD 1422-35) transferred the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar and
his reign marked the end of the Gulbarga Phase of Bahmani kingdom and the
beginning of the Second Phase, called the Bidar Phase.
○ Ahmed Shah was known as Wali due to his association with a Sufi, Gesu Daraz.
○ Nikitin a Russian merchant, visited Bidar during his reign.

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Mahmud Gawan
● He was the Prime Minister of Mohammed Shah III between 1463-81.
● The Bahmani kingdom saw a resurgence under his guidance.
● His military conquests included Konkan, Goa and the Krishna-Godavari delta.
● Mahmud Gawan expanded the Bahmani kingdom as never before.
● He was a Persian by birth, hence an Afaqi or Gharib.
● Afaqis or Gharibs were the nobles, who were of foreign origins and had migrated from Arab
or elsewhere.

For More: https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/lehs203.pdf

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