Vijayanagara Empire and Bahmani Kingdom Notes for OAS Prelims

Vijayanagara Empire notes for OPSC OAS and UPSC cover the four dynasties — Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu — from 1336 to 1646 CE, along with the Bahmani Kingdom and the Deccan Sultanates. This page explains the foundation, Krishnadeva Raya's golden age, administration, economy, architecture, foreign travellers, the Battle of Talikota, and the Odisha connection.

Foundation of the Vijayanagara Empire (1336): Sangama Dynasty and Hampi

The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 CE by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty. They were inspired by the sage Vidyaranya and his brother Sayana.RPSC 2010UKPSC 2004UKPSC 2011

Harihara I and Bukka I (1336–1377)

• The Sangama brothers established their capital at Vijayanagara (Hampi) on the Tungabhadra River.UPPSC 2011
• They were initially feudatories of the Hoysalas and later declared independence.
• Bukka I sent an embassy to the emperor of China.CGPSC 2008
• The empire was founded to resist the southward expansion of the Delhi Sultanate and the Bahmani Kingdom.

Later Sangama Rulers

• Harihara II (1377–1404) captured Goa from the Bahmani Kingdom and collected tax from the king of Sri Lanka.BPSC 1995IAS (Pre) 2003
• Deva Raya I (1406–1422) married his daughter to the Bahmani Sultan Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah as part of a peace treaty.UPPSC
• Deva Raya II (1422–1446) adopted the title Gajabetegara (hunter of elephants), wrote Sobagina Sone and Amaruka, and patronised the Telugu poet Srinatha.RPSC 2010CGPCS 2020
• The Sangama dynasty ended in 1485 when Saluva Narasimha seized the throne.

Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu Dynasties: Political History (1485–1646)

Saluva Dynasty (1485–1503)

• Saluva Narasimha founded the Saluva dynasty in 1485 CE after ending the Sangama dynasty.SSC 2005
• He patronised the Madhwa saint Sripadaraya and the Kannada poet Kavi Linga.
• Immadi Narasimha was the last Saluva ruler; he was overthrown by Vira Narasimha.UPPSC

Tuluva Dynasty (1503–1570)

• Vira Narasimha founded the Tuluva dynasty in 1503 CE.MPPSC 2010
• He was succeeded by his younger brother Krishnadeva Raya in 1509.IAS (Pre) 2004
• After Krishnadeva Raya, Achyuta Deva Raya (1529–1542) ruled, followed by Sadashiva Raya (1542–1570), who was a puppet in the hands of his minister Rama Raya.

Aravidu Dynasty (1570–1646)

• Tirumala, brother of Rama Raya, founded the Aravidu dynasty after the Battle of Talikota.UPPSC
• He shifted the capital to Penukonda and later to Chandragiri.UPPSC
• The Aravidu dynasty was the last ruling dynasty of Vijayanagara; it ended in the mid-17th century.UPPSC

Krishnadeva Raya (1509–1529): The Golden Age of Vijayanagara

Krishnadeva Raya was the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. His reign is considered the golden age of Telugu literature and the peak of Vijayanagara power.UP UDA/LDA 2006

Titles and Achievements

• Known as Andhra Bhoja for his patronage of Telugu literature.JPSC 2013
• Adopted the title Yavana Rajya Sthapana Acharya ('establisher of the Yavana Kingdom') after his campaigns against the Bahmani successor states.
• Founded the city of Nagalapur, named after his mother Nagala Devi.UPPSC 2016
• Built the Hazara Rama Temple and the monumental Rayagopurams at Hampi, Tiruvannamalai, Chidambaram, Sri Rangam and Tirupati.SSC 2001
• Maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese and granted Albuquerque permission to build a fort at Bhatkal.SSC 2002IAS (Pre) 2007

The Ashtadiggajas and Literature

The court of Krishnadeva Raya was adorned by the Ashtadiggajas (eight great Telugu poets), including Allasani Peddana, Nandi Thimmana, Dhurjati, and Tenali Ramakrishna.UP UDA/LDA 2001WBCS 2017

• Krishnadeva Raya wrote Amuktamalyada in Telugu on polity, public administration, and justice.
• He also wrote a Sanskrit drama called Jambavati Kalyanam.NDA 2017

Foreign Travellers During His Reign

• Domingo Paes (Portuguese) and Fernao Nuniz (Portuguese) visited his court.
• Duarte Barbosa praised him for the justice and equity in his empire.

Battle of Talikota (1565) and Decline of Vijayanagara

The Vijayanagara Empire received its death blow at the Battle of Talikota in 1565. The combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates — Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda and Bidar — defeated the Vijayanagara army.NDA 2015UPPSC 2014

• The nominal king at the time was Sadashiva Raya, but real power was held by his minister Rama Raya.UPPSC
• Rama Raya was killed in the battle, and Hampi was sacked and abandoned.
• The capital was shifted to Penukonda by Tirumala, founder of the Aravidu dynasty.

Administration of the Vijayanagara Empire

Central and Provincial Administration

• The king was the head of state and was assisted by a council of ministers.
• The empire was divided into Mandalam (provinces), Nadu (districts), and Kurram (villages).RPSC 2012
• The Governor of a Mandalam was called a Nayak.UPPSC
• The Amaram system was a military grant given to Nayakas in lieu of military service.CDS 2001

Revenue Administration

• Land revenue was the chief source of income.BPSC 1999
• Important revenue terms: Mahsul (collected revenue), Devadana (land granted to temples), Mashahat (measurement system), Bhandaravada (crown village).
• The most widely recognised coin was the Pagoda (gold).HPSC 2012

Economy and Trade of Vijayanagara

• Vijayanagara was a major centre of trade in spices, textiles, and precious stones.CDS 2010
• The single biggest item of import was horses, essential for the cavalry.WBCS 2020
• Major exports included cotton textiles, spices (pepper, cardamom), pearls, and precious stones.
• Trade was carried on with the Portuguese, Arabs, and Southeast Asian kingdoms.

Art, Architecture and Literature of Vijayanagara

Architecture

• Virupaksha Temple (Hampi) — dedicated to Lord Virupaksha (Shiva); the royal deity.IAS (Pre) 2009
• Vijaya Vithala Temple (Hampi) — famous for its 56 musical pillars.IAS (Pre) 2007
• Hazara Rama Temple — built by Krishnadeva Raya; known for Ramayana carvings.
• Mahanavami Dibba — the ritual platform used by Vijayanagara kings.
• Kalyana Mandala — the marriage hall within temple complexes, a notable feature of Vijayanagara architecture.IAS (Pre) 2019
• Panchayatan style — a temple with four subsidiary shrines around the main shrine.IAS (Pre) 2014
• The Rayagopurams — monumental entrance gateways built by Krishnadeva Raya.

Literature and Language

• The rulers promoted Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit.SSC 2007
• Ganga Devi, wife of Prince Kampana, wrote Madhura-Vijayam describing her husband's victorious expeditions.UPPSC 2000
• Sayana, the famous Vedic commentator, was patronised by the Vijayanagara rulers.UPPSC 2008
• Allasani Peddana wrote Manucharitam, an important source for Vijayanagara history.IAS (Pre) 2007

Foreign Travellers to Vijayanagara

• Robert Sewell wrote 'A Forgotten Empire' about Vijayanagara.CDS 2009
• Hampi ruins were brought to public light by Colin Mackenzie in 1800.NDA 2019

The Bahmani Kingdom (1347–1527) and the Deccan Sultanates

Foundation and Expansion

• Alauddin Hasan (Hasan Gangu) founded the Bahmani Kingdom in 1347 CE. He was a noble of Muhammad bin Tughluq.BPSC 2018, WBCS 2008UPPSC 2005
• The first capital was Gulbarga; later shifted to Bidar in 1429 CE.CGPSC 2014
• The kingdom was initially divided into five provinces (tarafs).BPSC
• The Bahmani Kingdom disintegrated into five independent Sultanates — Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, Bidar and Berar — in 1527 AD.UPPSC

Mahmud Gawan (1463–1481)

• Mahmud Gawan was the famous Prime Minister of the Bahmani Kingdom under Muhammad Shah III.
• He established the famous Madrasa at Bidar, a great centre of learning.UPPSC
• He divided the kingdom into eight provinces (tarafs) and reformed the army and revenue system.CDS 2011
• He was executed in 1481 on false charges of treason.

The Five Deccan Sultanates

Odisha Angle: Gajapati Kingdom and the Vijayanagara Empire

Odisha's Gajapati kingdom, under the Suryavamsi dynasty, was a major rival of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries. The two powers clashed repeatedly over the Krishna–Godavari delta and the northern Circars.

• Kapilendra Deva (1434–1466) founded the Suryavamsi Gajapati dynasty and expanded Odisha's territory up to the Kaveri River, defeating Vijayanagara forces.
• Purushottama Deva (1466–1497) and Prataparudra Deva (1497–1540) fought against Krishnadeva Raya. Krishnadeva Raya defeated Prataparudra Deva and captured Udayagiri and Kondavidu.
• The matrimonial alliance between Krishnadeva Raya and Prataparudra Deva's daughter brought temporary peace between the two kingdoms.
• The Gajapati kingdom declined after the death of Prataparudra Deva and was finally conquered by the Afghans in 1568 CE.

Practice Questions on the Vijayanagara Empire and Bahmani Kingdom for OPSC OAS