Vijaynagar Empire and Bahmani Kingdom
Vijaynagar Empire
The Empire of vijaynagar was founded by Harihar & Bukka in 1336AD. They were two from the 5 sons of Sangam. 'Vijaynagar' means City of Victory. After getting motivation from Saint Vidyarannya Vijaynagar Empire was established. Vijaynagar period can be divided into 4 distinct dynasties :
- Sangam
- Suluva
- Tuluva and
- Aravidu
Sangam Dynasty
- First of the four dynasties of Vijayanagar. Harihar & Bukka founded this dynasty named it Sangam Dynasty after their father Sangam who was the last Yadava king.
- Its capital was Hampi. It was established on the bank of Tungavadra.
- Its language was Telugu.
- Bukka-1 adopted the title of Vedmarga Pratisthapak.
- Harihar-2 was the first Sangam ruler who adopted the title of Maharajadhiraja.
- Italian traveler Nicola Kanti came to Vijaynagar in reign of Dev Raya-I.
- The most powerful king of Sangam Dynasty was Dev Raya-II.
- Parsi Traveller Abdul Rajjak came to Vijaynagar in the reign of Deva Raya-II.
- In one inscription Dev Raya-II was called Gajabetekara (the elephant hunter).
- Mallikarjuna Raya (or Deva Raya III) succeeded his father Deva Raya II. Mallikarjuna Raya was unlike his father, and was generally a weak and corrupt ruler. Mallikarjuna was called Praudha Dev Raya.
Suluva Dynasty
- Second of the four dynasties of Vijayanagar. Founder of Suluva Dynasty was Suluva Narasimha. He ruled from 1485–1490.
- Thimma Bhupa ( after Narsimha ), was murdered by an army commander and one of Narasa's enemies in 1492 so Narasimha's youngest son, Narasimha Raya II, ascended his brother to the throne as king. He was the last ruler of Suluva Dynasty.
Tuluva Dynsaty
- Third of the four dynasties of Vijayanagar after Suluva Dynasty. It was founded by Vira Narasimha.
- The famous ruler of Tuluva Dynasty was Krishna Deva Raya.
- In his reign the Portugal traveler Domingo Paes came to visit Vijaynagar.
- His court was adorned by the Ashtadiggajas (the 8 celebrated poets of Telugu). His period is called the classic period of Telugu literature.
- He wrote Amuktamalyada in Telugu and Jambavati Kalyanam in Sanskrit.
- Hazara and Vitthal Swami Temple were established by Krishna Dev Raya.
- He earned the title of
- Andhra Voj
- Avinaba Voj
- Andhra Pitamaha
- He died in 1529AD.
- The last ruler of Tuluva Dynasty was Sadasiva Raya.
- The Battle of Talikota or Rakshasa Tangdi or Bannihatti was fought on 23rd Jan, 1565 AD.
- Ram Raya was the leader in Talikota war.
- After the battle of Talikota with the help of Tirumala, Sadasiva made his capital in Penukonda and ruled there.
Aravidu Dynasty
- The fourth dynasty of Vijaynagar was Aravidu.
- Founder of Aravidu Dynasty was Tirumal.
- The last ruler of this dynasty was Rang-3.
- Coins of Vijaynagar were called Pagoda.
Famous Travelers to Vijayanagar Empire
| Travelers | Country | Period (AD) | Ruler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolo de Conti | Italy | 1420 | Devraya-1 |
| Abdur Razzak | Faras (Persia) | 1442 | Devraya-2 |
| Fernao Nuniz | Portugal | 1450 | Mallikarjuna |
| Domingo Paes | Portugal | 1515 | Krishna Dev Raya |
| Duarte Barbosa | Portugal | 1515-16 | Krishna Dev Raya |
Bahmani Kingdom
- In 1347, during the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, Hasan Gangu revolted against the Delhi Sultanate of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq and founded the Bahmani Kingdom (chiefly present Maharashtra) after adopting the title of Ala-ud-Din Hassan Bahman Shah.
- The Bahmani Kingdom was a Muslim state of the Deccan in South India and one of the great medieval Indian kingdoms. Bahmani Kingdom was the first independent Islamic Kingdom in South India.
- Its capital was Gulbarga and its language was Marathi.
- Coins widely circulated during this period are called ‘Hun’.
The Bahmani contested the control of the Deccan with the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire to the south. The kingdom reached the peak of its power during the vizierate (1466–1481) of Mahmud Gawan. After 1518 this kingdom broke up into five states (or five dynasties): Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar, Qutubshahi of Golconda (Hydrabad), Baridshahi of Bidar, Imadshahi of berar, Adilshahi of Bijapur. They are collectively known as the "Deccan Sultanates".
Brief on these states
| Kingdoms | Founder | Dynasty |
|---|---|---|
| Bijapur | Yusuf Adil Shah | Adil Shahi |
| Ahmadnagar | Malik Ahmad | Nizam Shahi |
| Berar | Fateh-ullah Imad Shah | Imad Shahi |
| Golkunda | Quli Qutub Shah | Qutub Shahi |
| Vidar | Amir Ali Barid | Barid Shahi |