๐ Topic 02 of 6 ยท Chapter 09 ยท Vijayanagara & Bahmani
Krishnadevaraya โ Administration & Achievements
Military campaigns, Ashtadiggajas, Amuktamalyada, administration, Telugu literature golden age.
๐ Krishnadevaraya (1509โ1529) โ Greatest Vijayanagara Ruler
Krishnadevaraya is considered the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. He is called “Andhra Bhoja” for his patronage of Telugu literature. Portuguese traveller Domingo Paes described him as “the most feared and perfect king there could possibly be.”
โ๏ธ Military Campaigns
- Defeated the Bijapur Sultanate โ captured Raichur (1520)
- Defeated the Bahmani Sultanate remnants
- Conquered Orissa โ defeated Gajapati king Prataparudra
- Maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese โ imported horses through them
- His empire extended from the Krishna river in the north to the tip of South India
๐ Ashtadiggajas โ Eight Great Telugu Poets
Krishnadevaraya patronised Ashtadiggajas โ eight great Telugu poets at his court:
| Poet | Key Work | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Allasani Peddana | Manucharitra | “Andhra Kavita Pitamaha” (grandfather of Telugu poetry); most honoured |
| Nandi Timmana | Parijatapaharanam | Second most important; “Mukku Timmana” |
| Dhurjati | Kalahasteeswara Mahatmyam | Shaivite devotional poetry |
| Ayyalaraju Ramabhadra | Ramaabhyudayam | โ |
| Pingali Surana | Kalapurnodayam | โ |
| Madayyagari Mallana | Rajashekhara Charitra | โ |
| Ramaraja Bhushana | Vasucharitra | โ |
| Tenali Ramakrishna | Panduranga Mahatmyam | Famous for wit; “Vikata Kavi” |
๐ Krishnadevaraya as Author
- Wrote Amuktamalyada โ Telugu poem about the love of Vishnu and Andal (Tamil saint)
- Considered a masterpiece of Telugu literature
- Also wrote Jambavati Kalyanam (Sanskrit play) and Usha Parinayam
๐๏ธ Administration
- Nayankara system: Military feudalism โ Nayakas given land grants (amaram) for military service
- Ayagar system: Village administration by 12 hereditary officials
- Maintained friendly relations with Portuguese โ imported horses for cavalry
- Built Vittala Temple and Hazara Rama Temple at Hampi
โญ Domingo Paes on Krishnadevaraya: Portuguese traveller Domingo Paes visited Vijayanagara during Krishnadevaraya’s reign and described it as “the best provided city in the world” โ larger than Rome. He described Krishnadevaraya as “the most feared and perfect king there could possibly be.” Another Portuguese traveller Nuniz also visited and wrote about Vijayanagara.
๐ Exam Tip:
โข Krishnadevaraya = “Andhra Bhoja” = greatest Vijayanagara ruler = Tuluva dynasty
โข Ashtadiggajas = 8 Telugu poets; Allasani Peddana = most honoured
โข Amuktamalyada = Telugu poem by Krishnadevaraya = masterpiece
โข Domingo Paes = Portuguese traveller = described Vijayanagara’s grandeur
โข Tenali Ramakrishna = “Vikata Kavi” = famous for wit
โข Krishnadevaraya = “Andhra Bhoja” = greatest Vijayanagara ruler = Tuluva dynasty
โข Ashtadiggajas = 8 Telugu poets; Allasani Peddana = most honoured
โข Amuktamalyada = Telugu poem by Krishnadevaraya = masterpiece
โข Domingo Paes = Portuguese traveller = described Vijayanagara’s grandeur
โข Tenali Ramakrishna = “Vikata Kavi” = famous for wit