📌 Topic 01 of 6 · Chapter 09 · Vijayanagara & Bahmani
Vijayanagara Empire — Rise & Rulers
Harihara and Bukka, Sangama dynasty, Saluva, Tuluva dynasties — political history of Vijayanagara.
📖 Foundation of Vijayanagara Empire
The Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1646 CE) was the last great Hindu empire of South India. It was founded in 1336 CE by brothers Harihara I and Bukka I of the Sangama dynasty. The capital was Vijayanagara (City of Victory) — modern Hampi in Karnataka, on the banks of the Tungabhadra river.
🙏 Role of Vidyaranya
- Harihara and Bukka were former officers of the Hoysala kingdom captured by Muhammad bin Tughlaq
- They were converted to Islam but later reconverted to Hinduism
- The reconversion was guided by sage Vidyaranya (Madhavacharya) — head of the Sringeri Math
- Vidyaranya inspired them to establish a Hindu kingdom to resist Muslim expansion
- He is called the “kingmaker” of Vijayanagara
🏛️ Four Dynasties of Vijayanagara
| Dynasty | Period | Key Rulers | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sangama | 1336–1485 | Harihara I, Bukka I, Deva Raya I, Deva Raya II | Founded empire; Deva Raya II employed Muslim soldiers; Abdur Razzaq visited |
| Saluva | 1485–1505 | Narasimha Saluva | Saved empire from collapse; short-lived dynasty |
| Tuluva | 1505–1570 | Krishnadevaraya (greatest ruler), Achyuta Raya, Aliya Rama Raya | Golden age of Vijayanagara; Krishnadevaraya = greatest ruler |
| Aravidu | 1570–1646 | Tirumala, Sriranga I, Venkata II | Post-Talikota period; empire declined; capital shifted to Penukonda |
👑 Key Rulers
Harihara I and Bukka I (1336–1377):
- Co-founders of Vijayanagara Empire
- Established capital at Vijayanagara (Hampi)
- Fought against the Bahmani Sultanate — constant conflict
- Patronised Kannada and Sanskrit literature
Deva Raya II (1422–1446):
- Greatest ruler of the Sangama dynasty
- Employed Muslim soldiers and archers — recognised their superior skills
- Persian traveller Abdur Razzaq visited his court — described Vijayanagara’s grandeur
- Patronised Persian literature
⭐ Abdur Razzaq on Vijayanagara: Persian traveller Abdur Razzaq (1443 CE) described Vijayanagara as “such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it, and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world.” This gives us a vivid picture of Vijayanagara’s prosperity under Deva Raya II.
📝 Exam Tip:
• Vijayanagara founded = 1336 CE = Harihara I and Bukka I = Sangama dynasty
• Capital = Vijayanagara (Hampi) = Karnataka = Tungabhadra river
• Vidyaranya = “kingmaker” = Sringeri Math = inspired founders
• Deva Raya II = greatest Sangama ruler = employed Muslim soldiers = Abdur Razzaq visited
• Krishnadevaraya = greatest Vijayanagara ruler = Tuluva dynasty
• Vijayanagara founded = 1336 CE = Harihara I and Bukka I = Sangama dynasty
• Capital = Vijayanagara (Hampi) = Karnataka = Tungabhadra river
• Vidyaranya = “kingmaker” = Sringeri Math = inspired founders
• Deva Raya II = greatest Sangama ruler = employed Muslim soldiers = Abdur Razzaq visited
• Krishnadevaraya = greatest Vijayanagara ruler = Tuluva dynasty