Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms (c. 1336–1672)

1. The Vijayanagar Empire (1336–1672)

Founded by Harihara and Bukka (brothers) who were previously in the service of the Hoysala king. They were inspired by Saint Vidyaranya.

Sangama (1336–1485): Founded by Harihara I.
Saluva (1485–1505): Founded by Saluva Narasimha.
Tuluva (1505–1570): Founded by Vira Narasimha. Peak under Krishna Deva Raya.
Aravidu (1570–1672): Founded by Tirumala after the Battle of Talaikotta.

Deva Raya I (Sangama):
- Built a dam across the Tungabhadra (Hampi water supply) and the Haridra river.
- First to employ 10,000 Muslim archers in the army.
- Visited by Nicolo Conti (Venetian) and Nikitin (Russian).
Deva Raya II (Sangama):
- Greatest of Sangama; title Gajabetegara (Elephant Hunter).
- Patronized Srinatha (Telugu poet) and mathematician Parameshvara.
- Wrote Mahanataka Sudhanidhi (Sanskrit).
Conflict Rationale (Thapar): The persistent wars with the Bahmanis were a materialist struggle for control over the fertile Raichur Doab and the horse trade routes from the west coast, rather than purely religious conflict.
Krishna Deva Raya (Tuluva):
- Titles: Abhinava Bhoja, Andhra Pitamah, Yavanarajya Sthapanacharya.
- Battle of Raichur (1520): Defeated Ismail Adil Shah.
- Ashtadiggajas (8 Poets): Allasani Peddanna (Manucharitam - "Father of Telugu Poetry"), Tenali Rama (Panduranga Mahamatyam).
- Literature: Wrote Amukthamalyadha (Telugu - on statecraft) and Jambavati Kalyanam (Sanskrit).
- Architecture: Built Vittalaswamy and Hazara Ramaswamy temples. Founded Nagalapuram township.
Aliya Rama Raya (Regent): Led the empire to the Battle of Talaikotta (1565) (also called Rakshasa Thangadi or Bannihatti) against the Deccan Confederacy (Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golconda, Bidar - Berar excluded).

Amara-nayaka System: Military officers (Nayakas) were given territory (Amaram) for their service. They collected revenue and maintained a fixed army for the King. Note (Thapar): This was a highly devolved system; the king exercised direct control over only a small central core, leading to eventual fragmentation into independent Nayaka states (e.g., Madurai, Tanjore).
Valangai and Idangai: Thapar highlights the continuation of the Right-hand (Agriculturists) and Left-hand (Artisans/Traders) caste conflicts, which influenced local politics and tax-resistance movements.
Local Governance: Divided into Mandalams (Provinces) -> Nadus -> Sthalas -> Gramas.
Note: Chola-style village autonomy significantly declined as the Nayakas asserted more local control.
Revenue: Land tax was usually 1/6th of produce. Varaha (Gold coin) was the currency.

Founded by Hasan Gangu (Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah) with capital at Gulbarga.

Taj-ud-din Firoz Shah:
- Strong interest in Astronomy (built observatory at Daulatabad).
- Versed in multiple languages (Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Persian).
Ahmad Shah Wali: Shifted capital from Gulbarga to Bidar.
Mahmud Gawan (Wazir):
- Title: Malik-ul-Tujjar (Chief of Merchants).
- Reforms: Divided kingdom into 8 Tarafs (Provinces). Reduced the power of Tarafdars by placing forts under central Qiladars.
- Internal Conflict: Nobility split into Deccanis (old-timers) and Afaqis (new-comers/foreigners like Gawan).
- Cultural: Built a Persian-style Madrasa at Bidar.

Traveler — Nationality — Ruler — Observations
Nicolo Conti — Venetian — Deva Raya I — Described the city's size and the king's power.
Abdur Razzak — Persian — Deva Raya II — Described Hampi as the most magnificent city.
Domingo Paes — Portuguese — Krishna Deva Raya — Detailed account of market, festivities, and KDR's looks.
Fernao Nuniz — Portuguese — Achyuta Raya — Focus on history, army, and the position of women.
Barbosa — Portuguese — Krishna Deva Raya — Mentioned religious freedom and trade.

Battle of Talaikotta: The confederacy included 4 sultanates; Berar did NOT participate.
Hampi Water: Deva Raya I built the dam, NOT Krishna Deva Raya (who built temples/gopurams).
Nayaka System: Unlike the Mughal Jagirdari, the Nayakas had much higher autonomy and often issued their own coins.
Women: Despite being high-income, some women were learned (e.g., Gangadevi - Maduravijayam) and worked in the palace as guards and accounts officers.

Founders: Harihara I and Bukka I (1336); mentored by Saint Vidyaranya.
Dynasties:
1. Sangama (1336–1485)
2. Saluva (1485–1505)
3. Tuluva (1505–1570)
4. Aravidu (1570–1672)
Key Rulers:
- Deva Raya I: Built a dam across Tungabhadra; employed 10,000 Turkish archers.
- Deva Raya II: Title Gajabetegara (Hunter of Elephants); Persian traveler Abdur Razzak visited.
- Krishnadeva Raya (1509–1529):
  - Titles: Andhra Bhoja, Abhinava Bhoja, Yavanarajaya Sthapanacharya.
  - Literature: Wrote Amukthamalyada (Telugu) and Jambavati Kalyanam (Sanskrit).
  - Group: Ashtadiggajas (8 scholars) - Allasani Peddanna (Andhra Kavita Pitamaha), Tenali Rama.
  - Architecture: Built Vittalaswamy and Hazara Rama temples; founded Nagalapuram.
Administration:
- Amara-Nayaka System: Military chiefs (Nayaks) granted land (Amaram) in lieu of cash.
- Division: Mandalam → Nadu → Sthala → Grama.
Decline: Battle of Talikotta / Rakshasa Thangadi (1565); coalition of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, and Bidar defeated Rama Raya.

Founder: Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah (Hasan Gangu). Capital: Gulbarga (later Bidar).
Key Figures:
- Firoz Shah Bahmani: Built an observatory at Daulatabad; inducted Hindus (Deccani Brahmins) into administration.
- Mahmud Gawan (Wazir):
  - Military: Controlled the sea pirates; introduced gunpowder (Belgaum).
  - Administration: Divided kingdom into 8 Tarafs (provinces); built a Persian-style Madrasa at Bidar.
Disintegration (5 Successor States):
1. Adil Shahis (Bijapur): Built Gol Gumbaz; Ibrahim Adil Shah II wrote Kitab-i-Nauras.
2. Nizam Shahis (Ahmadnagar): Founded by Malik Ahmad.
3. Qutub Shahis (Golconda): Built Charminar and Golconda Fort.
4. Imad Shahis (Berar): Founded by Fatullah Imad-ul-Mulk.
5. Barid Shahis (Bidar): Founded by Ali Barid.