Vijayanagara Empire and Hampi

Vijayanagara was the great Hindu imperial response to the Bahmani Sultanate, ruling the Deccan and the south for three centuries from one of the largest pre-modern cities in the world. CDS-OTA tests dynastic order, Krishnadevaraya, Hampi monuments and foreign travel accounts (Domingo Paes, Abdur Razzaq, Nicolo de' Conti).

Founding

• Context: After Malik Kafur's southern raids (1311) the Delhi Sultanate's grip on the south weakened. Muhammad bin Tughlaq's transfer of capital and Madurai rebellion further opened the field.
• Founders: Brothers Harihara and Bukka, of the Sangama clan. Different traditions on their origins — Telugu service to Warangal Kakatiyas, then Kampili.
• Year 1336: Bukka and Harihara established the capital on the south bank of the Tungabhadra, facing Anegondi (the original Kampili capital). Sage Vidyaranya of Sringeri is traditionally credited with the spiritual inspiration; the empire's identification with Virupaksha (Shiva) at Hampi follows.
• Rival: Bahmani Sultanate (founded 1347) — three centuries of conflict over the Raichur Doab between the Krishna and Tungabhadra.

Four Dynasties

Dynasty	Period	Key kings
Sangama	1336-1485	Harihara I, Bukka I, Harihara II, Devaraya I, Devaraya II ("Gajabetekara" / hunter of elephants — peak of Sangama). Mallikarjuna last
Saluva	1485-1505	Saluva Narasimha (founder), Immadi Narasimha. Brief interregnum by Tuluva regents
Tuluva	1505-1570	Vira Narasimha, Krishnadevaraya (1509-29), Achyuta Deva Raya, Sadashiva (puppet under Aravidu Rama Raya)
Aravidu	1570-1646	Tirumala, Sriranga, Venkata II. Post-Talikota empire shrank to Penukonda and Chandragiri before final extinction

Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529)

• Greatest Vijayanagara king. Title Andhra Bhoja.
• Military: Conquered Raichur Doab (1520 Battle of Raichur defeated Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur). Defeated Gajapatis of Odisha (Prataparudra) at Kondavidu and Kalinga. Reduced Ummattur chief.
• Literature: Patron of the Ashtadiggajas (eight Telugu poets) including Allasani Peddana (Andhra Kavita Pitamaha) and Tenali Ramakrishna.
• Authored Amuktamalyada (in Telugu) — a poem on the Tamil Vaishnavite saint Andal; also includes royal advice. Jambavati Kalyanam (Sanskrit play) is also attributed to him.
• Foreign travellers at his court: Portuguese Domingos Paes and Fernao Nuniz, who left vivid descriptions of Vijayanagara city (Paes called it "as large as Rome").
• Religious patronage: Tirumala-Tirupati endowed; Vitthala temple at Hampi expanded; Hazara Rama temple.

Administration, Society, Economy

• Nayankara (military feudalism): Provincial military governors (Nayaks) held assigned territories (amaram) in return for cavalry obligations. Resembles mansabdari + iqta hybrid.
• Provinces (Rajya / Mandalam): 6 main. Heads called Pradhanis.
• Ayagar system at village level: Twelve village officials including senabhova (accountant), reddi (headman), karnam (clerk), purohita, talayari (watchman), nirgunta (irrigation).
• Tank irrigation: Korangal, Anantapur, Anegondi tanks. The empire is associated with extensive tank construction.
• Trade: Major ports — Bhatkal, Honavar, Mangalore (west), Pulicat, Nagapattinam (east). Imports — horses from Persia and Arabia (a Vijayanagara obsession), wine. Exports — textiles, spices, gemstones, rice, iron.
• Coinage: Gold varahas / pagodas (3.4 g) and pratapas; copper jital.
• Society: Brahmins held high office. Slavery present (referenced by Nicolo de' Conti and Abdur Razzaq). Sati practised by elite. Devadasi tradition.

Foreign Travellers

• Ibn Battuta (mid-14th c) — passed through Anegondi era; described Kampili.
• Nicolo de' Conti (1420, Devaraya II's reign) — Italian; first European to describe Vijayanagara.
• Abdur Razzaq (1442-43, Devaraya II) — Persian ambassador of Timurid Shahrukh; wrote Matla-us-Sadain.
• Athanasius Nikitin (1469-72) — Russian Tver merchant; visited Bahmani but also region.
• Domingos Paes (1520-22, Krishnadevaraya) — Portuguese; vivid description of Vijayanagara city, festivals, Mahanavami Dibba.
• Fernao Nuniz (1535-37) — Portuguese chronicler; Chronica dos Reis de Bisnaga.
• Cesare Federici (1567) — Italian; described post-Talikota ruins.

Battle of Talikota and Decline

• 26 January 1565 — Battle of Talikota / Rakshasi-Tangadi / Bannihatti.
• Confederate Deccan Sultanates — Ahmadnagar (Nizam Shah), Bijapur (Adil Shah), Golconda (Qutb Shah) and Bidar (Barid Shah) — defeated Vijayanagara under Rama Raya (Aravidu regent).
• Rama Raya was captured and executed; the city was sacked for six months.
• Aravidu Tirumala shifted the capital to Penukonda, then Chandragiri, then Vellore. Empire continued nominally till 1646.
• Nayakas of Madurai, Tanjore, Ikkeri, Gingee, Vellore declared independence — their kingdoms became the main Hindu south-Indian polities of the 17th century.

Hampi - Architecture

• UNESCO World Heritage Site (1986). Spread over ~26 sq km on south bank of Tungabhadra in Bellary district, Karnataka.
• Royal Centre: Mahanavami Dibba (Audience Hall platform), Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, Hazara Rama temple (king's chapel), Pushkarani (stepped tank).
• Sacred Centre:
  • Virupaksha temple — pre-Vijayanagara Shiva shrine, expanded under Krishnadevaraya. Still functioning.
  • Vitthala temple — finest example, with iconic stone chariot and the musical Ranga Mandapa (slender pillars produce notes when struck).
  • Krishna temple, Hazara Rama temple, Achyutaraya temple.
• Vijayanagara style: High gopuram entrances, lion balustrades, animal-form pillars (yali), mandapams with stone chariots, Kalyana mandapams for divine marriage festivals.

CDS/OTA PYQ Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Vijayanagara important?

It was the main Hindu imperial polity in South India for three centuries (1336-1646), preserved Hindu temple architecture and Brahmanical learning, ruled one of the wealthiest pre-modern cities in the world, and ensured that the southern peninsula was not absorbed by the Sultanate.

What was the cause of the Talikota defeat?

Confederacy of Deccan sultanates closed ranks against Rama Raya's interfering diplomacy; defection of Muslim cavalry commanders within Vijayanagara mid-battle; superior Deccan artillery; and the capture and execution of Rama Raya which broke the army's morale.

Why is Krishnadevaraya considered the greatest king?

Conquest of Raichur Doab (1520), defeat of Gajapatis, peace with Portuguese for horse trade, patronage of Telugu literature (Ashtadiggajas), his own Amuktamalyada, vast Hampi building programme, and a stable two-decade reign.

What is the Hampi-Vitthala stone chariot?

An iconic ratha-shaped shrine in the courtyard of the Vitthala temple, dedicated to Garuda. Originally with wheels that could rotate. Now featured on India's 50 rupee note.

Who were the Nayakas?

Provincial military governors of Vijayanagara holding amaram lands. After Talikota the major Nayakas — Madurai, Tanjore, Ikkeri, Gingee, Vellore — declared independence and ruled into the 17th-18th century.

Related Topics

CDS/OTA HistorySouth Indian Dynasties CDS/OTA HistoryDelhi Sultanate CDS/OTA HistoryMughal Administration CDS/OTA HistoryMaratha Empire CDS/OTAHistory — Full Syllabus