Vijayanagara & Bahmani Kingdoms

The Vijayanagara Empire was ruled by four successive dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu.

Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529) is considered the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, known for his military conquests and patronage of literature.

The Battle of Talikota was fought between the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Bidar, Ahmednagar, and Golconda) and the Vijayanagara Empire.

Alauddin Hasan Gangu, titled Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah, founded the Bahmani Kingdom in 1347.

Nicolo Conti was an Italian merchant and explorer who visited the Vijayanagara court during the reign of Deva Raya I.

Humayun Shah Bahmani is historically referred to as 'Zalim' because of the extreme cruelty he displayed during his reign.

Amuktamalyada is a celebrated epic poem in Telugu, authored by Krishnadevaraya, detailing the life of the Alwar saint Andal.

Mahmud Gawan served as the Prime Minister under several Bahmani sultans and is credited with strengthening the kingdom's administration and military.

The Vitthala Temple, a masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture, was primarily built during the Tuluva period, specifically under Krishnadevaraya.

Domingo Paes, a Portuguese traveler, visited the Vijayanagara Empire during the reign of Krishnadevaraya and left a vivid account of the city.

After the decline of the Bahmani dynasty, it broke into five sultanates: Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmednagar, Berar, and Bidar.

The Vijayanagara Empire implemented the Amara-nayaka system, where military commanders were given land grants in exchange for maintaining troops.

Allasani Peddana, the poet laureate of Krishnadevaraya's court, wrote 'Manucharitamu'.

Hampi is located on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka.

Ahmad Shah Wali shifted the capital of the Bahmani Kingdom from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1429.

The 'Asthadiggajas' (eight elephants) were eight legendary Telugu poets who adorned the court of Krishnadevaraya.

The Sangama dynasty was the first. It ended when Saluva Narasimha usurped the throne, establishing the Saluva dynasty.

Land revenue (typically one-sixth of the produce) was the primary source of income for the Vijayanagara state.

The Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan in Bidar is a prime example of Bahmani architecture, showing strong Persian influence.

Deva Raya II, the greatest ruler of the Sangama dynasty, was known as 'Gajabetekara' because he excelled in hunting elephants.

Abdur Razzak, an ambassador from Shah Rukh of Persia, visited the court of Deva Raya II in 1443 and provided a vivid account of the city.

The Nayankara system was similar to the Iqta system, where Nayakas were granted land (Amaram) in return for maintaining a military contingent for the king.

Muhammad Shah I divided the Bahmani kingdom into four 'tarafs' (provinces), each managed by a 'tarafdar', laying the foundation for future regional administration.

The Hazara Rama Temple was constructed in Hampi specifically for the royal family of the Vijayanagara Empire during the reign of Krishnadevaraya.

The Adil Shahi dynasty, which ruled the Bijapur Sultanate, built the Gol Gumbaz, famous for having the second-largest dome in the world.

Vira Narasimha Raya, the elder brother of Krishnadevaraya, overthrew the Saluva dynasty and established the Tuluva dynasty in 1505.

The Qutb Shahi dynasty ruled the Golconda Sultanate and was responsible for the construction of the Charminar in 1591.

Domingo Paes, a Portuguese traveler, left detailed notes about the social structure, markets, and the role of women in the Vijayanagara court.

Ahmad Shah was titled 'Wali' (Saint) due to his close association with the Sufi saint Gesu Daraz and his pious nature.

Rayagopurams were grand, monumental entrance towers introduced or expanded by Vijayanagara rulers, demonstrating their architectural patronage.

The Sangama dynasty saw frequent conflicts with the Bahmanis, specifically over the Doab region, eventually leading to internal instability and the rise of the Saluva dynasty.

The Bahmani Sultans were heavily influenced by Persian culture, making Persian the official court language and the medium of administration.

Sadasiva Raya was the titular emperor at the time of the Battle of Talikota, though the real power was held by the regent Aliya Rama Raya.

Mahmud Gawan, the famous Bahmani minister, built a magnificent Madrasa in Bidar, reflecting the Persian architectural style of the period.

The Vijayanagara administrative structure consisted of provinces (Mandalam), sub-provinces (Nadu), and Sthala, which was a group of villages.

Mujahid Shah was known for his aggressive military campaigns and his attempt to reach and capture the capital of Vijayanagara.

Lakkanna Dandesa was a poet and minister in the court of Deva Raya II, known for his work Sivatattvachintamani.

The Mahanayakacharya acted as a link between the local village assemblies (Sabhas) and the central government authorities.

Mahmud Gawan, serving under multiple Bahmani sultans, significantly expanded the kingdom's borders and streamlined the military and financial administration.

Krishnadevaraya conducted a successful military campaign against the Gajapatis of Odisha, capturing Udayagiri and Kondavidu, thereby expanding the empire significantly.

The Raichur Doab, located between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers, was the primary bone of contention due to its extreme fertility and strategic importance.

Abdur Razzak, an envoy from the Timurid ruler Shah Rukh of Persia, visited Vijayanagara during the reign of Deva Raya II in the 1440s.

A 'Sthala' was a group of villages forming an administrative unit in the Vijayanagara Empire, overseen by local officials.

Taj-ud-Din Firuz Shah was a scholar with a deep interest in astronomy and mathematics, and he established a significant library in his kingdom.

The Vijayanagara kings significantly expanded temple complexes by adding massive, ornate towers known as Rayagopurams, which became a hallmark of their architecture.

The five successor states were Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Bidar, Berar (Imad Shahi), and Golconda (Qutb Shahi). Khandesh was a separate independent principality.

Rayavachakamu is a significant historical source written by Sathannatha, documenting the political strategies and administration of the Tuluva period.

The Nayaka system involved granting land (Amaram) to military commanders in exchange for military service and maintaining a fixed number of soldiers for the King.

Taj-ud-Din Firuz Shah was one of the first regional rulers in the Deccan to utilize gunpowder and train his soldiers in its use, often employing foreign experts.