The Sangama dynasty was a Vijayanagara Empire dynasty founded in the 14th century by two brothers, Harihara I (also known as Vira Harihara or Hakka Raya) and Bukka Raya I. They were the sons of Bhavana Sangama, the chieftain of a cowherd pastoralist community who claimed descent from the Yadava race. This dynasty was the first to rule over the Vijayanagara Empire. In this article, we will discuss Sangama Dynasty of Vijayanagara Empire which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Sangama Dynasty - Background

• Sangama is the name of the first dynasty of Vijayanagara. It was the first dynasty to rule over the Vijaynagar empire.
• This dynasty was home to the empire's founders, Harihara I and Bukka. It ruled from 1334 to 1485 AD.
• During the reigns of Harihara and Bukka I, the Vijaynagar kingdom absorbed many principalities and divisions, including most of the Hoysala territory.
• The chronicle of Nuniz provides a detailed account of how the sovereigns of Vijayanagar first began to acquire the power that would later become so extensive.
• This account may or may not be accurate in every detail, but it corresponds fairly with epigraphical and other records of the time.
• According to records, after conquering Gujarat, Muhammad Taghlaq of Delhi marched south through the Dakhan Balaghat, or high lands above the western ghats, and seized the town and fortress of Anegundi around the year 1336.
• Its leader was assassinated, along with his entire family. After a failed attempt to govern this territory through a deputy, Muhammad elevated its late minister to the rank of chief of state, a man Nuniz refers to as "Deorao," for "Deva Raya," or Harihara Deva I.
• The new chief established the city of Vijayanagar on the south bank of the river opposite Anegundi and made his residence there, with the help of the great religious teacher Madhava, wisely believing that putting the river between himself and the ever-marauding Moslems would provide him and his people with greater security than before.
• He was succeeded by "one called Bucarao" (Bukka), who reigned for thirty-seven years, and the next king was the latter's son, "Pureoyre Deo" (Harihara Deva II.).
• The first two kings, Harihara I. and Bukka, were brothers, and the third king, Harihara II, was undoubtedly Bukka's son.
• The city of Vijayanagar, thus founded around the year 1335, quickly grew in importance and became a refuge for Hindu outcasts, refugees, and fighting men who had been beaten and driven out of their old strongholds by the advancing Muhammadans.
• The first rulers of Vijayanagar, however, did not dare to call themselves kings, and neither did the Brahmans who composed the text of their early inscriptions.

Harihara and Bukka (1336 - 1377 CE)

• Harihara
  • Harihara I founded the Vijayanagara empire and was also known as 'Hakka' or 'Vira Harihara.' He was Bhavana Sangama's eldest son and a Kuruba clan descendant.
  • He was also the founder of the Sangama Dynasty. Following his ascension to power, he built a fort at Barkuru on the western coast of what is now Karnataka.
  • He ruled the northern parts of the Hoysala Empire before assuming control of the kingdom in 1343, following the death of Hoysala Veera Ballala III.
  • Harihara I was known as 'Karnataka Vidya Vilas,' 'Arirayavibhada,' or 'fire to enemy kings,' and 'Bhashegetappuvarayaraganda,' or punisher of feudal lords who failed to keep their promises according to the inscriptions of his time.
• Bukka
  • Bukka Raya I was a Sangama Dynasty ruler who ruled over the Vijayanagara Empire. This ancient ruler supported Telugu poet Nachana Soma.
  • The accounts of Bukka's and Raya's early lives are shrouded in mystery, and many legends surround these people. Harihara I was also known as Hakka.
  • According to popular belief, Hakka and Bukka were born in the Kuruba clan and served as commanders in the King of Warangal's royal army.
  • Following Muhammad Bin Tughlaq's defeat of Warangal's ruler, Hakka and Bukka were captured, imprisoned, and transferred to Delhi. They were compelled to convert to Islam.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Harihara and Bukka (1336-1377 CE)

Harihara II (1377 - 1406 CE)

• Harihara II was the Vijayanagar Empire's ruler during the Sangama Dynasty. From 1377 to 1404 CE, he was in power.
• This ruler supported the famous Kannada poet Madhura. During the reign of this emperor, who was bestowed with the titles 'Vedamarga Pravartak' and 'Vaidikamarga Sthapanachary,' significant work on the Vedas was completed.
• Harihara II primarily ruled the Vijayanagara region, known as Hampi. The ruins of Harihara II's palace can be found among the ruins of Hampi.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Harihara II (1377-1406 CE)

Deva Raya I (1406 - 1422 CE)

• Deva Raya I (reigned 1406–1422) was a Vijayanagara Empire king (of the Sangama Dynasty).
• After Harihara II died, his sons fought over the throne, with Deva Raya I eventually emerging victorious.
• He was a capable ruler known for his military prowess and support for irrigation projects in his kingdom.
• Deva Raya I, on the other hand, secured the throne for himself in 1406. In his wars with the Bahamani Sultan, he suffered some setbacks and died in 1422.
• Deva Raya I was succeeded by his son Vira-Vijaya, whom Nuniz refers to as "Visaya," and who reigned for six years, according to Nuniz.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Deva Raya I (1406-1422 CE)

Deva Raya II (1425 - 1446 CE)

• Deva Raya II ruled the Vijayanagara Empire from 1422 to 1446 CE. He was the most powerful ruler of the Sangama dynasty, and he was a skilled administrator, warrior, and scholar.
• He wrote well-known Kannada works (Sobagina Sone and Amaruka) as well as Sanskrit works (Mahanataka Sudhanidhi).
• Despite the fact that Deva Raya II's wars with the Bahmanis ended in defeat and loss, his reign was marked by administrative reorganisation. Muslims were admitted into the army by him to compete with the Bahamanis.
• In order to control and regulate trade, he appointed his right-hand man, Lakkanna or Laksmana, to the lordship of the southern sea, which is in charge of overseas commerce.
• Nicolo Conti and Abdur Razzaq, a Persia envoy, visited Vijayanagar in 1420 and 1443, respectively, and left glowing descriptions of the city and the Vijaynagar Empire.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Deva Raya II (1425-1446 CE)

End of Sangama Dynasty

• Deva Raya II died in 1446 and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Malikarjuna, who repelled a combined attack on his capital by the Bahmani Sultan and the Raja of the Hindu Kingdom of Orissa and managed to keep his kingdom intact during his reign.
• Virupaksha Raya II was a Sangama Dynasty king of the Vijayanagara Empire. Virupaksha Raya II succeeded his uncle, Mallikarjuna Raya, a corrupt and weak ruler who consistently lost to the empire's enemies, in 1465.
• During his reign, the Saluva chief Narasimha of Chandragiri, whose ancestors had faithfully served the Vijayanagara kingdom as its feudatories, rose to prominence and resisted the Bahmani kingdom and the King of Orissa.
• Raja Purusottama Gajapati of Orissa advanced as far south as Tiruvannamalai, while the Bahmani advanced into the Doab between Krishna and the Tungabhadra.
• To protect the kingdom from these threats, Narasimha Saluva deposed his worthless master and seized the throne for himself around 1480.
• Thus, the Sangam dynasty was deposed in what has come to be known as the "first Usurpation," and Vijaynar became part of the Saluva dynasty.

Conclusion

The Sangama Dynasty was one of the most powerful dynasties of the Vijayanagar Empire. The eastern provinces were threatened by the Bahamani Sultan and the ruler of Orissa. However, Narasimha, a powerful chieftain of Chandragiri, successfully repelled the invaders. In 1486, this chief deposed Virupaksha II, the last ruler of the Sangama dynasty, and seized the throne.