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Graduate Level intermediate Vijayanagara Medieval India Krishna Deva Raya Hampi Deccan
Vijayanagara Empire: Founders, Krishna Deva Raya, Hampi & Battle of Talikota
Complete study notes on the Vijayanagara Empire for Kerala PSC — founding, four dynasties, Krishna Deva Raya's achievements, Ashtadiggajas, administration, architecture, and the Battle of Talikota (1565).
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— Complete study notes on the Vijayanagara Empire for Kerala PSC — founding, four dynasties, Krishna Deva Raya's achievements, Ashtadiggajas, administration, architecture, and the Battle of Talikota (1565).
#Vijayanagara
#Medieval India
#Krishna Deva Raya
#Hampi
#Deccan
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The Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646) was the most powerful Hindu kingdom of medieval South India. Kerala PSC asks 2-3 questions from this topic, focusing on founders, Krishna Deva Raya, and the Battle of Talikota.
Foundation
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1336 CE |
| Founders | Harihara I and Bukka Raya I (brothers) |
| Inspired by | Vidyaranya (Madhava), sage of Sringeri |
| Capital | Vijayanagara (modern Hampi, Karnataka) |
| Named after | City of Victory (Vijaya + Nagara) |
| Founded to resist | Muslim invasions from the north (Tughluq expansion) |
| Location | On the banks of Tungabhadra River |
Four Dynasties of Vijayanagara
| Dynasty | Period | Founder | Notable Ruler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sangama | 1336-1485 | Harihara I | Deva Raya II |
| Saluva | 1485-1505 | Saluva Narasimha | Saluva Narasimha |
| Tuluva | 1505-1570 | Vira Narasimha | Krishna Deva Raya |
| Aravidu | 1570-1646 | Tirumala Deva Raya | Venkata II |
Important Rulers
Harihara I (1336-1356)
- Co-founded the empire with brother Bukka
- Established control over areas around Hampi
- Belonged to Sangama dynasty
Bukka Raya I (1356-1377)
- Extended the empire to the entire Deccan south of Krishna River
- Sent embassy to China
- Promoted Sanskrit and Telugu literature
Deva Raya II (1422-1446)
- Greatest of the Sangama rulers
- Recruited Muslims in army, allowed mosques
- Abdur Razzak (Persian traveller) visited during his reign
- Described as “the most powerful Hindu king”
Krishna Deva Raya (1509-1529)
The greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dynasty | Tuluva |
| Title | Abhinava Bhoja, Andhra Bhoja, Yavanarajya Sthapanacharya |
| Languages patronised | Telugu, Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil |
| Own works | Amuktamalyada (Telugu, on Andal’s story), Jambavati Kalyanam (Sanskrit drama) |
| Military victories | Defeated Gajapatis of Odisha, Bahmani successors, recaptured Raichur Doab |
| Foreign visitor | Domingo Paes (Portuguese) praised his administration |
| Religion | Vaishnavite; built Vitthalapura, Hazara Rama temple |
| Famous quote | ”The king of kings” — Domingo Paes |
| Died | 1529 CE |
Achievements of Krishna Deva Raya
| Domain | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Military | Captured Raichur from Bijapur Sultan (1520); defeated Gajapati Prataparudra of Odisha |
| Literature | Patronised Ashtadiggajas (Eight Poets); wrote Amuktamalyada |
| Architecture | Built Vitthalapura (near Hampi), Krishna Temple, gopurams |
| Administration | Efficient provincial system; promoted irrigation |
| Trade | Maintained good relations with Portuguese |
Ashtadiggajas (Eight Great Poets)
The eight poets in Krishna Deva Raya’s court (Telugu literature):
| Poet | Notable Work |
|---|---|
| Allasani Peddana | Manucharitram (Greatest among the eight; “Andhra Kavita Pitamaha”) |
| Nandi Thimmana | Parijatapaharanamu |
| Madayyagari Mallana | Rajasekhara Charitamu |
| Dhurjati | Kalahasteeswara Satakamu |
| Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu | Ramabhyudayamu |
| Pingali Surana | Raghavapandaviyam (dual-meaning poetry) |
| Ramaraju Bhushanudu | Kavyalankarasangrahamu |
| Tenali Ramakrishna | Panduranga Mahatyamu (also famous as court jester) |
Administration
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| King | Supreme authority; commander of army |
| Provinces | Called Rajya, headed by governors (Nayaks) |
| Districts | Called Nadu or Vishaya |
| Village | Basic unit; village assemblies continued |
| Nayankara System | Military commanders (Nayaks) given land in lieu of salary; maintained troops |
| Ayagar System | Village functionaries (12 officials per village) |
| Revenue | Land tax was the main source; 1/6th of produce |
| Army | Large; included elephants, cavalry, infantry; Muslim archers recruited |
| Currency | Gold coin called Varaha (also called Hon or Pagoda) |
Economy and Trade
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Rice, sugarcane, cotton; extensive irrigation tanks |
| Trade | Active overseas trade through west coast ports |
| Exports | Spices, textiles, precious stones |
| Traders | Portuguese established trade relations |
| Markets | Well-organised; described by foreign travellers |
| Ports | Mangalore, Bhatkal, Honavar on west coast |
Architecture and Art
| Structure | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hampi | Capital city; UNESCO World Heritage Site (1986) |
| Virupaksha Temple | Dedicated to Shiva; oldest structure at Hampi |
| Vitthala Temple | Stone chariot (iconic); musical pillars |
| Hazara Rama Temple | Ramayana panels; royal chapel |
| Lotus Mahal | Indo-Islamic style; in royal enclosure |
| Elephant Stables | 11 domed chambers; Indo-Islamic architecture |
Architectural Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Gopurams | Tall ornamental gateways (Dravidian style) |
| Pillared halls | Large mandapas with carved pillars |
| Composite style | Blend of Dravidian (Hindu) and Islamic elements |
| Stone chariot | Vitthala Temple; chariot-shaped shrine |
| Musical pillars | Produce musical notes when tapped |
Foreign Travellers to Vijayanagara
| Traveller | Period | From | Ruler Visited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolo Conti | 1420 | Italy | Deva Raya I |
| Abdur Razzak | 1443 | Persia | Deva Raya II |
| Athanasius Nikitin | 1470 | Russia | — |
| Domingo Paes | 1520 | Portugal | Krishna Deva Raya |
| Fernao Nuniz | 1535 | Portugal | Achyuta Deva Raya |
Battle of Talikota (1565)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Also called | Battle of Rakkasa-Tangadi (Bannihatti) |
| Date | 23 January 1565 |
| Combatants | Vijayanagara vs Deccan Sultanates alliance |
| Sultanates allied | Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golconda, Bidar (four of five Deccan Sultanates) |
| Vijayanagara ruler | Rama Raya (regent, Aravidu family) |
| Result | Decisive defeat of Vijayanagara |
| Consequence | Hampi destroyed and looted; capital shifted to Penukonda |
| Rama Raya | Killed in battle (beheaded) |
| Empire after | Continued weakly under Aravidu dynasty until 1646 |
Why Vijayanagara Lost
- Rama Raya’s arrogant diplomacy alienated all Sultanates simultaneously
- Betrayal by Muslim commanders in Vijayanagara army during battle
- Combined strength of four Sultanates overwhelmed the empire
- Rama Raya was aged (over 70) and captured during battle
Decline and End
| Event | Year |
|---|---|
| Battle of Talikota | 1565 |
| Capital shifted to Penukonda | 1565 |
| Later capitals | Chandragiri, Vellore |
| Final end of Aravidu dynasty | 1646 |
| Conquered by | Bijapur Sultanate (southern territories) and Golconda |
Quick Revision — 20 Key Vijayanagara Questions
- Founders of Vijayanagara: Harihara I and Bukka Raya I (1336)
- Spiritual inspiration: Vidyaranya (sage of Sringeri)
- Capital located at: Hampi (banks of Tungabhadra)
- Greatest ruler: Krishna Deva Raya (1509-1529)
- Krishna Deva Raya’s dynasty: Tuluva
- Krishna Deva Raya’s Telugu work: Amuktamalyada
- Eight court poets called: Ashtadiggajas
- Greatest among Ashtadiggajas: Allasani Peddana
- Tenali Ramakrishna was a poet in court of: Krishna Deva Raya
- Portuguese visitor to Krishna Deva Raya’s court: Domingo Paes
- Abdur Razzak visited during: Deva Raya II’s reign
- Nayankara system: Military land grants to Nayaks
- Gold coin: Varaha (Pagoda)
- Battle of Talikota: 1565
- Talikota opponent alliance: Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golconda, Bidar
- Vijayanagara ruler at Talikota: Rama Raya (killed)
- After Talikota, capital shifted to: Penukonda
- Vitthala Temple famous for: Stone chariot and musical pillars
- Hampi is a UNESCO site since: 1986
- Last dynasty: Aravidu (ended 1646)
Compiled from Kerala PSC previous year questions. Vijayanagara Empire regularly appears in Graduate Level, Degree Level Preliminary, and Assistant Grade exams.
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