Vijayanagara Empire

Greatest South Indian Empire (1336-1565 CE)

📅 Timeline & Rulers

Empire period

• Founded: 1336 CE established
• Harihara I: Founder ruler
• Bukka I: Brother co-founder
• Krishna Deva Raya: Greatest
• 1565: Talikota battle defeat
• Duration: 229 years total

👑 Founding & Early Rulers

Founding of Empire (1336)

Establishment - Harihara & Bukka

• 1336: Founded by Harihara I and Bukka I (brothers)
• Sangama Dynasty: First ruling dynasty
• Capital: Hampi (on banks of Tungabhadra River)
• Location: Karnataka, South India
• Strategic position: Protected by rivers and hills

Background & Vidyaranya's role

• Earlier: Brothers served in Kampili Kingdom
• Captured by: Muhammad bin Tughlaq of Delhi Sultanate
• Forced conversion: Converted to Islam by Tughlaqs
• Reconverted: Returned to Hinduism with help of Vidyaranya (saint-philosopher)
• Vidyaranya (Madhavacharya):
  • Famous scholar and saint
  • Guided and inspired the brothers
  • Head of Sringeri Math
  • Spiritual guru and advisor
• Declared independence from Delhi Sultanate in 1336
• Mission: Protect Hindu culture from Islamic invasions

Name "Vijayanagara"

• Vijayanagara = "City of Victory"
• Symbol of Hindu resurgence in South India
• Barrier against Islamic expansion

Sangama Dynasty (1336-1485)

Harihara I (1336-1357)

• Founder and first emperor
• Four brothers ruled jointly initially (unusual arrangement)
• Initial expansion: Consolidated territories
• Hoysala Kingdom: Annexed successfully
• Established strong foundation

Bukka I (1357-1377)

• Continued expansion successfully
• Defeated Madurai Sultanate (last Muslim sultanate in South)
  • Liberated Tamil Nadu from Muslim rule
  • Major achievement
• Conflict with Bahmani Sultanate started - would continue for 200 years
• Portuguese contact established - beginning of trade relations
• Patronized literature: Started cultural patronage tradition

Deva Raya I (1406-1422)

• Wars with Bahmani Kingdom - lost and had to pay tribute
• Defeated initially: Humiliating treaty with Bahmanis
• Peace treaty signed later to stabilize relations
• Irrigation works: Built canals for agriculture
• Strengthened internal administration

Deva Raya II (1424-1446) - Greatest Sangama ruler

• Greatest ruler of Sangama Dynasty
• Military innovations:
  • Recruited Muslim soldiers in his army (pragmatic approach)
  • Improved cavalry with better horses
  • Learned from defeats: Adopted enemy tactics
• Extensive conquests: Expanded territories significantly
• Defeated Bahmani Sultanate - reversed earlier defeats
• Portuguese relations: Maintained friendly ties
  • Encouraged horse trade
  • Modern weapons imported
• Literature patronage: Extensive support for Telugu and Sanskrit
• Abdur Razzaq (Persian traveler) visited during his reign
  • Praised wealth and grandeur of Vijayanagara

👑 Saluva Dynasty (1485-1505)

Saluva Narasimha (1485-1491)

• Founded Saluva Dynasty: Usurped throne from weak Sangama rulers
• Military background: Was a successful general
• Administrative reforms: Introduced changes to stabilize empire
• Restored stability: After period of decline
• Short but significant reign

Immadi Narasimha (1491-1505)

• Son of Saluva Narasimha
• Weak and ineffective ruler - minor when ascended
• Tuluva Dynasty took over: Power shifted
• Transitional period

👑 Tuluva Dynasty (1505-1570)

Golden Age of Vijayanagara

Krishna Deva Raya (1509-1529) ⭐

Greatest Vijayanagara Emperor

Ascension & character

• 1509: Became emperor of Vijayanagara
• Greatest emperor in Vijayanagara history
• "Andhra Bhoja": Called for his patronage of Telugu literature
• Warrior and scholar: Combined military prowess with literary genius
• Contemporary of Babur (Mughal founder)

Major military conquests

Against Deccan Sultanates:

• Defeated Bahmani Kingdom (which was fragmenting into 5 sultanates)
• Gulbarga: Captured from Barid Shahi
• Bidar: Raided successfully
• Bijapur: Defeated Yusuf Adil Shah multiple times

Battle of Raichur (1520) - His greatest victory:

• Against: Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur
• Decisive victory for Vijayanagara
• Portuguese help: Received modern artillery and guns
• 32,600 cavalry deployed
• Modern artillery used effectively
• Raichur Doab captured - strategic region between Krishna & Tungabhadra
• Established Vijayanagara supremacy in Deccan

Eastern campaigns:

• Defeated Gajapati ruler of Orissa (Prataparudra)
• Annexed Orissa territories
• Extended empire to east coast

Other conquests:

• Mysore region: Annexed
• Konkan coast: Controlled ports

Administration - efficient & centralized

• Efficient centralized system created
• Regular land revenue assessment
• Well-organized army maintained permanently
• Strong navy maintained for coastal defense
• Provincial governors (Nayakas): Controlled provinces
• Justice system: Fair and efficient

Foreign relations & trade

Portuguese relations:

• Friendly relations with Portuguese
• Afonso de Albuquerque: Portuguese governor visited
• Horses imported: From Arabia via Portuguese traders
  • Vijayanagara needed horses desperately (hot climate unsuitable for breeding)
• Modern weapons: Artillery, guns imported
• Trade encouraged: Ports flourished

Domingo Paes (Portuguese traveler):

• Visited Krishna Deva Raya's court
• Wrote detailed account of Vijayanagara
• Praised wealth, prosperity, and grandeur
• Described Mahanavami festival in detail

Literature & cultural patronage

"Andhra Bhoja" - Patron of Telugu:

• Eight poets (Ashtadiggajas) in his court:
  1. Allasani Peddana: Greatest, "Andhra Kavita Pitamaha"
     • Wrote "Manucharitam"
  2. Nandi Timmana
  3. Madayyagari Mallana
  4. Dhurjati
  5. Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu
  6. Pingali Surana
  7. Ramarajabhushanudu
  8. Tenali Ramakrishna (Tenali Rama): Famous for wit and humor
     • Court jester and poet
     • Stories of his cleverness famous in folklore

Own literary works:

• "Amuktamalyada" (The One Who Offered the Garland):
  • Written in Telugu
  • About Andal (female Alvar saint)
  • About Goda Devi and Vishnu
  • Considered masterpiece of Telugu literature

Sanskrit patronage:

• Encouraged Sanskrit scholars
• Vyasatirtha (great philosopher) in his court

Religious policy

• Hindu revivalist: Protected Hinduism
• Tolerant: Respected other faiths
• Temple patronage: Built and renovated temples
• Annual Mahanavami festival: Grand 9-day celebration
  • Display of military power
  • Cultural performances
  • Tribute from vassals

Military innovations

• Maintained large standing army
• Well-trained cavalry
• War elephants: Used extensively
• Portuguese artillery: Adopted modern weapons
• Fortifications: Strengthened defensive structures

Later Tuluva Rulers

Achyuta Deva Raya (1529-1542)

• Younger brother of Krishna Deva Raya
• Succeeded as next emperor
• Continued policies of brother
• Maintained relations with Bahmani sultanates
• Period of relative peace and stability
• Consolidated earlier gains

Sadasiva Raya (1542-1570)

• Minor emperor - nominal ruler only
• Real power: Aliya Rama Raya (son-in-law of Krishna Deva Raya, regent)
• Aliya Rama Raya:
  • Actual ruler of empire
  • Able administrator and military leader
  • Arrogant diplomacy: Played Deccan sultanates against each other
  • His arrogance led to alliance of sultanates against Vijayanagara
• Seeds of decline started during this period

🏛️ Administrative System

Central government

• Emperor (Raya): Supreme authority, absolute power
• Council of Ministers: Advised emperor on policy
• Prime Minister (Mahapradhana): Chief minister
• Treasury Officer: Bhandari / Hirianna Benne Nayaka
• Royal secretariat: Maintained records

Provincial administration - Nayankara system

Nayankara system (Similar to Iqta/Jagir):

• Nayakas: Provincial governors/military chiefs
• Granted land (Amaram) in return for:
  • Military service
  • Revenue collection
  • Maintaining army contingent
• Hereditary tendency: Though officially not hereditary
• Military-feudal system: Combination of civil and military duties

Responsibilities:

• Collect revenue from assigned territories
• Maintain specified number of soldiers (cavalry, infantry, elephants)
• Protect their regions
• Pay annual tribute to emperor
• Provide military service when called

Later became powerful: After Talikota, Nayakas became independent (Madurai, Tanjore, Gingee, Mysore)

Village administration - Ayagar system

Autonomous self-governance:

• Villages largely autonomous and self-governed
• Village assemblies:
  • Sabha: Brahmin village assemblies
  • Ur: Non-Brahmin village assemblies
  • Nagarams: Merchant guild assemblies

Ayagar system (Hereditary village servants):

• 12 functionaries in village:
  1. Accountant (Karanam/Shanboga)
  2. Watchman (Talayari)
  3. Boundary-man
  4. Carpenter
  5. Blacksmith
  6. Goldsmith
  7. Astrologer
  8. Potter
  9. Barber
  10. Washerman
  11. Oil-monger
  12. Others
• Paid by village in kind (grain) or land grants
• Hereditary posts: Passed from father to son

Village functions:

• Revenue collection at local level
• Dispute resolution
• Maintenance of irrigation works
• Social and religious functions

Revenue system

• Land revenue: Main source of income
• 1/6th to 1/3rd of produce as tax
• Different rates: Based on land fertility, crop type
• Tax collected in kind (grains) or cash
• Regular assessment: Land surveyed periodically

Military organization

• Standing army: Permanently maintained
• Cavalry: Main strength backbone (horses imported)
• War elephants: Used extensively in battles
• Infantry: Large foot soldiers
• Navy: Strong fleet for coastal defense
• Forts: Extensive fortification system - concentric rings
• Portuguese artillery: Modern weapons adopted

💰 Economic System

Agriculture

• Main occupation: Majority of population
• Irrigation: Tanks (reservoirs), canals extensively built
• Crops: Rice (main), cotton, sugarcane, tobacco
• Land ownership: Varied patterns
  • Royal land
  • Temple land (Devadana)
  • Brahmin grants (Brahmadeya)
  • Private holdings

Trade & commerce

Flourishing trade:

• Internal trade: Highly developed
• External maritime trade: Very strong
• Major ports:
  • Bhatkal (Karnataka coast)
  • Honnavar (Karnataka coast)
  • Goa (before Portuguese)

Trade items:

• Exports: Textiles (world-famous cotton), spices, diamonds, elephants, sandalwood
• Imports: Horses (from Arabia, Persia), silk, porcelain, luxury goods
• Textile industry: World-famous cotton textiles
• Diamond mines: Nearby Golconda region

Merchant guilds:

• Powerful merchant organizations
• Facilitated trade and commerce
• Had their own armed guards

Currency & wealth

• Gold coins (Varaha/Pagoda): High value
• Silver coins: Medium transactions
• Copper coins: Daily transactions
• Extremely wealthy empire: Travelers marvel at wealth
• Hampi was rich trading center

🎨 Art & Architecture

Temple Architecture

Vijayanagara style - Dravidian continuation

• Dravidian style continued and enhanced
• Gopurams: Tall ornate gateway towers
• Raya Gopurams: Especially tall and magnificent
• Kalyana Mandapas: Marriage halls with ornate pillars
• Pillared halls: Thousand-pillared halls (Shasana Mantapa)
• Compound walls: High walls surrounding temple complexes

Virupaksha Temple (Hampi)

• Location: Main temple of Hampi capital
• Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
• Gopuram: 50 meters tall
• Mandapa: Beautiful pillared hall
• Large temple complex: Active since 7th century, expanded by Vijayanagara
• Still functional: Active worship continues

Vitthala Temple (Hampi) - masterpiece

• Location: Hampi - architectural masterpiece
• Famous stone chariot: Iconic symbol
  • Replica of temple chariot
  • Intricately carved
• Musical pillars: Pillars produce musical notes when struck
• Ornate Mandapa: Exquisitely carved pillars
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Part of Hampi monuments
• Most photographed monument in Hampi

Hazara Rama Temple

• Royal temple: For royal family
• Ramayana panels: Walls covered with Ramayana depictions
• Bas-reliefs: Detailed carvings

City Architecture - Hampi

Hampi - magnificent capital

• Area: Approximately 25 square kilometers
• Population at peak: Estimated 500,000 people (one of largest cities in world)
• Well-planned city: Markets, palaces, temples, residential areas
• Markets/Bazaars: Long street bazaars
• Palaces: Royal residential complexes
• Water management: Sophisticated tanks, aqueducts, step-wells

Important secular monuments

• Lotus Mahal: Beautiful Indo-Islamic palace
• Elephant stables: Massive structure for royal elephants (11 chambers)
• Queen's Bath: Royal bathing complex
• Pushkarani: Stepped tank/pool
• Mahanavami Platform (Dasara Dibba): Platform for Mahanavami festival celebrations
• Watchtowers: Strategic defensive structures

📚 Literature & Learning

Telugu Literature - Golden Age

Ashtadiggajas (Eight elephantine poets)

1. Allasani Peddana:

   • "Andhra Kavita Pitamaha" (Grandfather of Telugu poetry)
   • Wrote "Manucharitam" (Story of Manu)
   • Greatest of eight poets

2. Nandi Timmana: Poet and scholar

3. Madayyagari Mallana: Court poet

4. Dhurjati: Devotional poet (Shiva devotee)

5. Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu: Poet

6. Pingali Surana: Poet

7. Ramarajabhushanudu: Poet

8. Tenali Ramakrishna (Tenali Rama):

   • Court jester and poet
   • Famous for wit, humor, and intelligence
   • Stories of his cleverness popular in Indian folklore

Literary works

• "Manucharitam": By Allasani Peddana
• "Amuktamalyada": By Krishna Deva Raya himself
  • Telugu masterpiece
  • About Andal (Alvar saint)
• "Harikatha Saramu": Devotional poems
• Prabandha literature: Narrative poetry form developed

Sanskrit Literature

Sanskrit scholarship

• Vyasatirtha: Great philosopher in Krishna Deva Raya's court
  • Dvaita Vedanta scholar
  • Debated with Advaita scholars
• Sayana-Madhava: Vedic commentator (Madhavacharya = Vidyaranya)
  • Wrote comprehensive commentary on Vedas
• Harisvara: Sanskrit poet
• Extensive patronage: Sanskrit learning strongly encouraged

👥 Social Structure

Caste system

• Brahmanas: Priests, scholars, teachers - highest status
• Kshatriyas: Rulers, warriors, Nayakas
• Vaishyas: Traders, merchants, farmers
• Shudras: Artisans, laborers, service providers
• Untouchables: Lowest in hierarchy - severe discrimination
• Rigid social hierarchy maintained

Women's status - mixed

• Royal women: Some respect and influence (Queen Mother, Queens)
• Devadasi system: Temple dancers/servants
  • Some honored as artists
  • Others in subordinate positions
• Property rights: Limited for women
• Sati practice: Existed (widow burning)
• Education: Some women in royal/wealthy families educated
• Generally patriarchal society

Urban life - prosperous

• Cities like Hampi: Magnificent and wealthy
• Rich merchant class: Powerful and influential
• Skilled artisans: Highly respected for craftsmanship
• Foreign traders: Lived in cities (Portuguese, Arabs, Persians)
• Cosmopolitan culture: Mix of cultures and traditions
• Bazaars and markets: Vibrant commercial activity

🌍 Foreign Relations & Travelers

Portuguese relations

• Albuquerque: Portuguese governor met Krishna Deva Raya
• Trade relations: Friendly for mutual benefit
  • Vijayanagara needed horses
  • Portuguese needed trading rights
• Modern weapons: Artillery imported
• Some conflict: Over control of Goa and coastal areas

Bahmani/Deccan Sultanate relations

• Continuous conflict: 200 years of intermittent warfare
• Disputed territory: Raichur Doab (between Krishna & Tungabhadra)
  • Most fertile region
  • Strategic importance
• Alliances: Sometimes temporary peace treaties
• Balance of power: Krishna Deva Raya dominated, later Aliya Rama Raya's arrogance backfired

Foreign travelers' accounts

Abdur Razzaq (1443) - Persian:

• Ambassador from Persia
• Visited during Deva Raya II's reign
• Praised wealth and grandeur
• Described Mahanavami festival

Nicolo de Conti (1420) - Italian:

• Described city's size and prosperity
• Mentioned circumference of city (60 miles)

Domingo Paes (1520s) - Portuguese:

• Visited during Krishna Deva Raya
• Most detailed account
• Described Mahanavami festival in detail
• Praised emperor's justice and administration

Fernao Nuniz (1535-37) - Portuguese:

• Visited after Krishna Deva Raya
• Chronicled history of empire
• Described political situation

Duarte Barbosa (1516) - Portuguese:

• Described trade and commerce
• Mentioned diamond mines

⚔️ Decline & Fall

Battle of Talikota/Bannihatti (1565)

Decisive Turning Point

Causes of battle

• Aliya Rama Raya's arrogance:
  • Played Deccan sultanates against each other
  • Constantly changed alliances
  • Insulted Muslim nobles
• Muslim states united: Four Deccan sultanates formed alliance against Vijayanagara
• Religious factor: United against Hindu power
• Strategic dispute: Control of Raichur Doab continued

Battle details - January 26, 1565

• Date: January 26, 1565
• Location: Talikota/Bannihatti/Rakshas-Tangadi (near Talikota, Karnataka)

Allied forces (Deccan Confederation):

1. Bijapur (Adil Shah dynasty)
2. Ahmadnagar (Nizam Shah dynasty)
3. Golconda (Qutub Shah dynasty)
4. Bidar (Barid Shah dynasty)

Vijayanagara forces:

• Led by: Aliya Rama Raya (regent, 70+ years old)
• Larger army numerically
• War elephants: Used extensively

Battle outcome:

• Vijayanagara defeated decisively
• Aliya Rama Raya captured and beheaded on battlefield
• Panic: Vijayanagara army fled in disarray
• Treachery: Some Muslim soldiers in Vijayanagara army sided with sultanates

Aftermath - destruction of Hampi

• Hampi completely destroyed:
  • Sultans' armies sacked and destroyed capital for 5-6 months
  • Systematic destruction of temples, palaces, monuments
  • Looting of wealth
  • Massacre of population
• Capital shifted:
  • First to Penukonda
  • Later to Chandragiri
• Empire fragmented:
  • Nayakas became independent
  • Central authority collapsed
• Irreversible decline: Never recovered from this disaster

Significance

• End of great South Indian Hindu empire
• Rise of Deccan sultanates as dominant power
• Later Nayaka kingdoms emerged: Madurai, Tanjore, Gingee, Mysore
• Cultural loss: Destruction of magnificent Hampi
• Symbolic: End of Hindu resistance to Islamic expansion in Deccan

Later Period & Successor States

Aravidu Dynasty (1570-1646)

• Last dynasty: Ruled from reduced capitals
• Greatly weakened: Territory and power diminished
• Shifted capitals:
  • Penukonda
  • Chandragiri
  • Vellore
• Nominal authority: Continued till 1646
• Final collapse: By mid-17th century

Successor states - Nayaka kingdoms

• Mysore Kingdom: Emerged as independent state
  • Later became powerful under Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan
• Tanjore (Thanjavur) Nayak Kingdom:
  • In Tamil Nadu
  • Continued Vijayanagara cultural traditions
• Madurai Nayak Kingdom:
  • In Tamil Nadu
  • Famous for temple construction
• Gingee (Senji) Nayak Kingdom:
• Strong fort in Tamil Nadu
• Chandragiri: Last reduced capital of Vijayanagara

🔑 Key Facts for Revision

Quick facts - founding

• 1336: Founded by brothers
• Harihara Bukka: Sangama brothers
• Vidyaranya: Guru guided founders
• Hampi: Capital city established
• Independence: From Delhi declared

Quick facts - dynasties

• Sangama: 1336-1485 first
• Saluva: 1485-1505 second
• Tuluva: 1505-1570 third
• Aravidu: 1570-1646 last

Quick facts - Krishna Deva Raya

• 1509-1529: Reign period
• Greatest Vijayanagara: Emperor
• Raichur 1520: Battle won
• Ashtadiggajas: Eight poets court
• Portuguese: Friendly relations

Quick facts - administration

• Nayankara system: Feudal type
• Nayakas: Provincial governors
• Autonomous villages: Self-governed
• Centralized: Efficient system
• Revenue: Land assessment regular

Quick facts - architecture

• Hampi: Magnificent capital
• Virupaksha: Main temple
• Vitthala: Stone chariot temple
• Dravidian style: Continued
• Gopurams: Tall gateway towers

Quick facts - decline

• 1565: Talikota battle
• Aliya Rama Raya: Killed battle
• Four Deccan: Sultanates united
• Hampi destroyed: Completely
• Fragmentation: Empire broke

🎓 Study Approach

For exams

• Dynasties: Remember chronologically
• Krishna Deva Raya: Extensively
• Architecture: Hampi monuments
• Battle Talikota: 1565 crucial
• Nayankara system: Important

Important points

• 1336: Founding year remember
• Krishna Deva Raya: Golden period
• Portuguese relations: Important
• Talikota battle: Turning point
• Ashtadiggajas: Eight poets list

Revision Strategy

Focus Krishna Deva Raya extensively! Remember 1565 Talikota battle - turning point. Architecture - Hampi, Virupaksha, Vitthala temples. Administration - Nayankara system crucial. Portuguese relations important!

The Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646)

• Context: Founded as a resistance against the southern expansion of the Delhi Sultanate (Tughlaqs).
• Key Feature: The preservation of South Indian Hindu traditions and the development of the Nayankara system.

1. Dynastic Phases

• Sangama: Harihara & Bukka (1336). Deva Raya II: Greatest Sangama ruler; title Gajabetegara (Elephant Hunter).
• Tuluva Zenith: Krishnadeva Raya (1509-29).
  • Works: Amuktamalyada (Telugu); Jambavati Kalyanam (Sanskrit).
  • Titled Andhra Bhoja; Ashtadiggajas (e.g., Peddanna - Manucharitam).
  • Friendly with Portuguese (Albuquerque).
• Aravidu: Post-Battle of Talaikotta (1565) (Vijayanagar vs Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golconda, Bidar). Capital moved to Penukonda.

2. Administration: The Nayankara System

• Amara-Nayakas: Military chiefs who were given territory (Amaram) in exchange for maintaining a fixed number of troops for the King.
• Nature: Unlike the Iqta, the Nayankara system became increasingly hereditary and autonomous, eventually contributing to the central collapse.
• Ayagars: 12 village functionaries who managed local administration in a self-sufficient manner.

3. Foreign Accounts

• Nicolo Conti: Italian (1420); first major accounts.
• Abdur Razzaq: Persian envoy; 7 layers of walls; described city as "eye of the world".
• Domingo Paes: Portuguese; described KDR as small, jolly, and powerful.
• Fernao Nuniz: Portuguese horse-trader; provided administrative history.
• Ibn Battuta: Visited during Harihara I's reign.

4. Top UPSC Traps (Caution)

1. Battle of Talikota (1565): It was not a religious war but a political coalition of 4 Deccan Sultanates (except Berar) against the overbearing power of Vijayanagara.
2. Women's Status: Uniquely, women in Vijayanagara were active in Accounting, Wrestling, Astrology, and Military combat, according to traveler accounts.
3. Temple Architecture: Vittalaswamy (Musical pillars); Hazara Ramaswamy; Kalyana Mandapas; Rearing horse motifs.
4. Bahmani Sultanate:
   • Founded by Hasan Gangu (1347).
   • Mahmud Gawan: Great Wazir; built Madrasa at Bidar; used gunpowder.
   • Split into 5: Bijapur (Adil Shahi - Gol Gumbaz), Golconda (Qutub Shahi - Charminar), Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar.

The Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646)

• Context: Founded as a resistance against the southern expansion of the Delhi Sultanate (Tughlaqs).
• Key Feature: The preservation of South Indian Hindu traditions and the development of the Nayankara system.

1. Dynastic Phases

• Sangama: Harihara & Bukka (1336). Deva Raya II: Greatest Sangama ruler; title Gajabetegara (Elephant Hunter).
• Tuluva Zenith: Krishnadeva Raya (1509-29).
  • Works: Amuktamalyada (Telugu); Jambavati Kalyanam (Sanskrit).
  • Titled Andhra Bhoja; Ashtadiggajas (e.g., Peddanna - Manucharitam).
  • Friendly with Portuguese (Albuquerque).
• Aravidu: Post-Battle of Talaikotta (1565) (Vijayanagar vs Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golconda, Bidar). Capital moved to Penukonda.

2. Administration: The Nayankara System

• Amara-Nayakas: Military chiefs who were given territory (Amaram) in exchange for maintaining a fixed number of troops for the King.
• Nature: Unlike the Iqta, the Nayankara system became increasingly hereditary and autonomous, eventually contributing to the central collapse.
• Ayagars: 12 village functionaries who managed local administration in a self-sufficient manner.

3. Foreign Accounts

• Nicolo Conti: Italian (1420); first major accounts.
• Abdur Razzaq: Persian envoy; 7 layers of walls; described city as "eye of the world".
• Domingo Paes: Portuguese; described KDR as small, jolly, and powerful.
• Fernao Nuniz: Portuguese horse-trader; provided administrative history.
• Ibn Battuta: Visited during Harihara I's reign.

4. Top UPSC Traps (Caution)

1. Battle of Talikota (1565): It was not a religious war but a political coalition of 4 Deccan Sultanates (except Berar) against the overbearing power of Vijayanagara.
2. Women's Status: Uniquely, women in Vijayanagara were active in Accounting, Wrestling, Astrology, and Military combat, according to traveler accounts.
3. Temple Architecture: Vittalaswamy (Musical pillars); Hazara Ramaswamy; Kalyana Mandapas; Rearing horse motifs.
4. Bahmani Sultanate:
   • Founded by Hasan Gangu (1347).
   • Mahmud Gawan: Great Wazir; built Madrasa at Bidar; used gunpowder.
   • Split into 5: Bijapur (Adil Shahi - Gol Gumbaz), Golconda (Qutub Shahi - Charminar), Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar.