The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, who were members of a pastoralist shepherd community with Kuruba Gowda ancestry. By the end of the 13th century, the empire had risen to prominence as a result of southern powers' efforts to repel Islamic invasions. At its peak, it subjugated almost all of South India's ruling families and pushed the Deccan sultans beyond the Tungabhadra-Krishna river doab region, in addition to annexing modern-day Odisha from the Gajapati Kingdom. In this article, we will discuss the Political History of the Vijayanagar empire which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Vijayanagar Empire - Dynasties

The Vijayanagara Empire was primarily ruled by four major dynasties. They were: Sangama Dynasty, Saluva Dynasty, Tuluva Dynasty and Aravidu Dynasty.

Sangama Dynasty

• It was the first dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire, with Harihara Raya I (1336-1356 AD) as its first ruler.
• Bukka Raya, Virupaksha Raya, Deva Raya, Ramachandra Raya, Mallikarjuna Raya, and Praudha Raya were some of the dynasty's rulers.

Saluva Dynasty

• It was the second dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire, with Narasimhadeva Raya (1485 AD to 1491 AD) as its first ruler. Thimma Bhupala, his son, succeeded him.
• Narasimha Raya II succeeded his father Thimma Bhupala as the last ruler of the Saluva Dynasty.

Tuluva Dynasty

• The Tuluva Dynasty was the third dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Tuluva Dynasty rulers included Narasa Nayaka, Viranarasimha Raya, Krishnadeva Raya, Achyutadeva Raya, and Sadasiva Raya.
• Krishnadeva Raya was the most powerful ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire. From 1509 to 1529, he ruled the empire.
• The empire is said to have reached its pinnacle during his reign.

Aravidu Dynasty

• The Aravidu Dynasty was the fourth and final dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Following the Battle of Talikota, the empire began to decline, and Muslim states such as Bijapur rose to prominence.

Political History of Vijayanagar Empire

• Harihara and Bukka of the Sangama dynasty founded Vijayanagar in 1336.
• They originally served under the Warangal’s Kakatiya rulers.
• They went to Kampili where they were imprisoned before being converted to Islam.
• Later, at the initiative of the saint Vidyaranya, they returned to Hinduism.
• They also declared their independence and established a new city on the Tungabhadra River's south bank. It was called Vijayanagar, which means "victory city."
• The decline of the Hoysala kingdom allowed Harihara and Bukka to expand their newly established kingdom. By 1346, they had conquered the entire Hoysala kingdom.
• The conflict between Vijayanagar and the Sultanate of Madurai lasted about four decades. The Maduravijayam described Kumarakampana's expedition to Madurai.
• He defeated the Madurai Sultans, and as a result, the Vijayanagar Empire extended all the way to Rameswaram.
• For many years, the Vijayanagar Empire and the Bahmani kingdom were at odds.
• This protracted conflict began with a dispute over Raichur Doab, the region between the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra, and also the fertile areas of the Krishna-Godavari delta.
• The famous Golconda diamond mines were also located in the eastern part of the Doab region.
• Deva Raya II was the most powerful ruler of the Sangama dynasty.
• However, he was unable to secure a decisive victory over the Bahmani Sultans. The Sangama dynasty declined after his death.
• The Saluva dynasty, founded by Saluva Narasimha, reigned for only a short time (1486-1509).
• After that Krishnadeva Raya of the Tuluva dynasty ruled from 1509 to 1529. He was the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagar empire. During his reign, the empire reached its pinnacle.
• Following Krishna Deva Raya's death, there was a struggle for succession among his relatives.
• Sadasiva Raya ascended the throne in 1543, following the unremarkable reigns of Achyuta Raya and Venkata. But the real power was in the hands of Rama Raja, Krishna Deva's son-in-law.
• During Rama Raya's reign, the Bahaman confederacy (composed of forces from Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golkonda, and Bidar) defeated him at the Battle of Talaikote in 1565.
• Rama Raya was imprisoned and eventually executed. Vijayanagar was completely destroyed. This battle was widely regarded as the end of the Vijayanagar Empire.
• However, the Vijayanagar kingdom lasted another century under the Aravidu dynasty.
• Sri Ranga III was the last ruler of the Vijayanagar kingdom.
• In the Battle of Vandavasi in 1646, Sri Ranga was defeated by Mir Jumla of Golconda. With this, the Vijayanagar empire came to an end.

Conclusion

The Vijayanagara empire was one of the most prosperous states of India which lasted for 310 hundred years from 1336 to 1646. Krishnadeva Raya of the Tuluva dynasty was the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagar empire; during his reign the empire reached its pinnacle. The empire lasted until 1646, though its power declined after a major military defeat in the Battle of Talikota in 1565 by the combined armies of the Deccan sultanates. The defeat of Sri Ranga in the battle of Vandavasi in 1646 marked the end of the Vijayanagar empire.