VIJAYNAGAR

The Vijayanagara Empire, also known as the Karnata Kingdom, was a late medieval Hindu empire that ruled much of southern India. It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, belonging to the Yadava clan of Chandravamsa lineage.

The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts by the southern powers to ward off Muslim invasions by the end of the 13th century. At its peak in the early 16th century under Krishnadevaraya, it subjugated almost all of Southern India's ruling dynasties and pushed the Deccan sultanates beyond the Tungabhadra-Krishna River doab region, in addition to annexing the Gajapati Empire (Odisha) up to the Krishna River, becoming one of the most prominent states in India. The empire's territory covered most of the lands of the modern-day Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and some parts of Telangana, Maharashtra and Kerala.

The empire lasted until 1646, although its power declined greatly after a major military defeat in the Battle of Talikota in 1565 by the combined armies of the Deccan sultanates. The empire is named after its capital city of Vijayanagara (modern-day Hampi) whose extensive ruins are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka. The wealth and fame of the empire inspired visits by and writings of medieval European travelers such as Domingo Paes, Fernão Nunes, and Niccolò de' Conti. These travelogues, contemporary literature and epigraphy in the local languages, and modern archeological excavations at Vijayanagara have provided ample information about the history and power of the empire.

The empire's legacy includes monuments spread over Southern India, the best known of which is the group at Hampi. Different temple building traditions in South and Central India were merged into the Vijayanagara architectural style. This synthesis inspired architectural innovations in the construction of Hindu temples. Efficient administration and vigorous overseas trade brought new technologies to the region such as water management systems for irrigation. The empire's patronage enabled fine arts and literature to reach new heights in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Sanskrit with topics such as astronomy, mathematics, medicine, fiction, musicology, historiography and theater gaining popularity. The classical music of Southern India, Carnatic music, evolved into its current form. The Vijayanagara Empire created an epoch in the history of Southern India that transcended regionalism by promoting Hinduism as an unifying factor.

The ruins at Hampi were ‘re-discovered’ in 1800, by an engineer and cartographer, Colonel Colin Mackenzie, who later became the first Surveyor General of India. An employee of the English East India Company, he did the first survey map of the site. We show him with some of his subalterns, making sketches of monuments in the vast expanse of Hampi.      

The Jauhaur of the women of the tiny Kampli Empire, which was invaded and plundered by armies of Khalji in 1327. The Kampili kingdom in some historical accounts is called the Basnaga kingdom, and its ruthless massacre by Muslim soldiers is what inspired and ultimately led to the creation of the Vijaynagara kingdom.

After the Jauhaur of Kampili & killing of most of the soldiers, by Mohammed Bin Tughlak, local princes were captured and sent to Delhi where they were forced to convert to Islam. Two of these were brothers, Harihara & Bukka Raya, sons of Sangama Raya (one of the chieftains of Hoysalas). The brothers would later carve out the Vijayanagara Empire, which was for them like- the rebirth of Kampili.

The escape of the Harihara & Bukka brothers at night from the Delhi Red Fort in silhouette. They used ropes to go to the ground where one friend was waiting with two horses and two swords.

Sage Vidyaranya was born into a poor Brahmin family and had learnt the scriptures very young.

He was known by the name Madhava until he was initiated as a sadhu. From a young age he had a hunch that he was destined to do great things.

While meditating on a rock, he had a vision that two warriors would come to him and that he would tell them to start a city where good and dharma will prevail and which would act as a buffer to the Muslim’s invasions in South India. Hukka and Bukka one day saw a pack of hounds chasing a hare. Half way through the chase the hare suddenly turned around and amazingly the hounds fled in horror as the hare gave chase. As they reflected on the bizarre phenomena they came across Vidyaranya, sitting cross-legged in meditation. He told them about his vision and the brothers agreed to implement his dream.

Their Guru Vidyaranya, not only performed elaborate vedic ceremonies with renowned pandits from Varanasi, but also became the Prime Minister of the new kingdom so as to give a spiritual direction to it. Situated on the right bank of the Tungabhadra River, they named the city Vidyanagara, after the sage, whom they regarded as their God.Soon enough, a flag was designed with the symbol of Lord Vishnu, a Moon, a Sun and a dagger and on the 7^th day of Vaishakha in the year 1336, Hukka was crowned as the first King of Vijayanagar with the name of Harihara I. His brother, Bukka was made Crown Prince.

Soon enough, a flag was designed with the symbol of Lord Vishnu, a Moon, a Sun and a dagger and on the 7^th day of Vaishakha in the year 1336, Hukka was crowned as the first King of Vijayanagar with the name of Harihara I. His brother, Bukka was made Crown Prince.

The two brothers immediately started building a new city with temples, granaries, palaces, houses, fortresses etc. gathering the best masons, artists and sculptors from South India. Even today, 7 centuries later, this empire, although it was partly razed by Muslim invaders, still stand out as an example of beauty and perfect town planning.

With great foresight and under the guidance of their Guru, Hakka and Bukka began building a Navy, as they understood that they no only needed to do commerce, but also to have diplomatic relations with other nations.

They also began training men into fighting, with swords, bows, bare hands, on horses, or on foot, as their tiny kingdom was already experiencing hostility on the part of neighboring Muslim states.

The two brothers did not neglect education, which their guru deemed extremely important. This is why they started gurukkuls & schools, where reading and writing was taught, as well as knowledge of the Hindu Scriptures. Arts too, right from the beginning, played an extremely important role in the Vijaynagar Empire. Painters, sculptors and temple builders came from all over India to work in the new city.

The Battle of Raichur was a war fought between the Vijayanagar Empire and the Sultanate of Bijapur in 1520 CE in the town of Raichur, India. It resulted in a decisive victory for Vijayanaga forces, and the Bijapur ruler was defeated and pushed across the river Krishna.