Vijayanagara and Bahmani Kingdoms

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The Vijayanagara Empire (c. 1336–1666 CE) was the last great Hindu kingdom of South India, founded at Hampi (Karnataka). It flourished for over 200 years, reaching its peak under the Tuluva and Rayudu dynasties, and produced some of India’s most magnificent temple architecture.

The Bahmani Sultanate (1347–1526 CE) was the first Muslim kingdom of the Deccan, established after the collapse of the Tughlaq rule in the Deccan. It rivalled Vijayanagara and was known for its sophisticated administrative system.

Key Facts for RPSC RAS:

• Vijayanagara was founded by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I (c. 1336) — brothers who were originally commanders under the Tughlaqs.
• Hampi (Vijayanagara) was the largest urban centre in medieval India — a cosmopolitan city of over 500,000 people.
• The Mahanavami festival was the greatest festival of Vijayanagara — a 9-day celebration of arts, dance, and military displays.
• The Bahmani Sultanate was founded by Alaud-din Hasan Gangu (Ghiyath al-Din).
• The Bahmani capital moved from Gulbarga to Bidar under Muhammad Shah II.

⚡ Exam tip: The founding of Vijayanagara, the Mahanavami festival, the Krishnadevaraya period, and the Bahmani-Deccan conflicts are high-yield topics.

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🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)

Standard content for students with a few days to months.

The Vijayanagara Empire

Foundation (c. 1336)

Founders: Harihara I and Bukka Raya I — brothers

Background:

• Originally were ** commanders in the Tughlaq army** stationed at Tamil regions
• According to tradition: Were captured by the Delhi Sultan and converted to Islam under pressure
• Later reconverted to Hinduism under the influence of the sage Vidyaranya
• Appointed as governors of the Kampili region (Karnataka) by the Tughlaqs
• Then revolted and founded the Vijayanagara kingdom

The Name “Vijayanagara”:

• Means “City of Victory” (Vijaya + Nagara)
• Also called “Karnataka’s Empire” or “Hampi’s Empire”

Dynasties of Vijayanagara

1. Sangama Dynasty (c. 1336–1485):

• First dynasty — founded by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I
• Weak and short reigns — many internal conflicts

2. Saluva Dynasty (1485–1503):

• Seized power from the Sangama dynasty
• Narasa Nayaka — the most capable Saluva ruler
• Military expansion

3. Tuluva Dynasty (1503–1569):

• Krishnadevaraya (r. 1509–1529) — the greatest Vijayanagara ruler
• Peak of Vijayanagara’s power and prestige

4. Rayudu Dynasty (1569–1646):

• Decline — increasingly under pressure from the Deccan Sultanates
• Last ruler: Sriranga III — defeated by the Deccan Sultanates and Bijapur Sultanate

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The Great Period — Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529)

Achievements

Krishnadevaraya of the Tuluva dynasty — the greatest ruler of Vijayanagara:

Military:

• Defeated the Deccan Sultanates — particularly at the Battle of Raichur (1520) — a decisive victory against the Bijapur Sultan
• Conquered Warangal and the Orissa region
• His empire extended from the Cauvery River in the south to the Tungabhadra in the north

Administration:

• Centralised administration — strong personal rule
• Revenue system — Amanna Mudda system (tax on agricultural produce)
• Military organisation — large standing army, war elephants, cavalry

Cultural Patronage:

• Krishnadevaraya was a poet and patron of literature — wrote Telugu works:
  • “Amukta Malyada” — aTelugu romance (considered one of the finest Telugu works)
  • Also patronised all major regional languages — Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Sanskrit

The Navaratna:

• Krishnadevaraya’s court had nine gems (Navaratna) — including the great Telugu poet “Allasani Peddana”
• Allasani Peddana was called “Andhra Kavita Pitamaha” (father of Telugu poetry)

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Architecture and Culture

Hampi — The Ruins of Vijayanagara

Hampi (Karnataka) — the capital of Vijayanagara — is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site:

Sacred Centre (Temple Complex):

• Virupaksha Temple — main temple; still an active place of worship
• Vittala Temple — the most famous — with the iconic stone chariot (pushpa kirthana)
• Hazara Rama Temple — exquisite bas-reliefs depicting the Ramayana
• Lotus Mahal — beautiful pavilion in the Zenana enclosure

Royal Centre:

• Mahanavami Platform — where the 9-day Mahanavami festival was held
• Raja’s Palace — massive structure with extensive carvings
• Stepped Tank (Pushkarni) — for ritual bathing

The Mahanavami Festival

The Mahanavami was the most important festival of Vijayanagara:

Duration: 9 days (September-October, post-harvest) Significance: Celebration of the goddess and royal power; military display

Events:

1. Dance and music performances — all-night programmes
2. Jousts and animal fights — bulls, rams, roosters
3. Processions of royal women — displaying the wealth and power of the kingdom
4. Wrestling matches — between soldiers
5. Military displays — archery, sword fighting, elephant combat
6. Gift-giving — the king distributed gifts to nobles and Brahmins

Recorded by: Domingo Paes (Portuguese traveller) — left a vivid account of the Mahanavami festival

Trade and Economy

Vijayanagara was a major trade centre:

• Maritime trade: Ports at Calicut (Kozhikode), Mangalore, and Hampi (river port)
• Exports: Textiles (from Calicut), spices, gems, pearls
• Imports: Horses (from Arabia), copper, gold
• Diamonds: The Kollur mines (near Hampi) produced world-famous diamonds — the Koh-i-Noor and Hope Diamond came from this region

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The Bahmani Sultanate (1347–1526)

Foundation

Founder: Alaud-din Hasan Gangu (also called Ghiyath al-Din) Background: A Afghan or Persian noble in the Delhi Sultanate’s Deccan service

Cause of Revolt:

• In 1347, the Deccan provinces of the Delhi Sultanate declared independence
• Alaud-din Hasan Gangu led the rebellion
• Chose the title “Ala-ul-Hind” (Protector of India)

Why “Gangu”? Named after a Brahmin guide he met during his escape from Delhi — some sources say this Brahmin’s name was “Gangu”

Bahmani Rulers

Sultan	Period	Notable Achievement
Alaud-din Hasan Gangu	1347–1358	Founder; established the capital
Muhammad Shah I	1358–1375	Built the great Jamiya Masjid at Gulbarga
Ghiyas-ud-din	1375–1387	Fought wars with Vijayanagara
Shah Nazir	1387–1389	Brief reign
Tahir	1389–1392	Short reign
Muhammad Shah II	1392–1397	Moved capital to Bidar
Mahmud Gawan	1457–1482	Greatest administrator

Mahmud Gawan — The Great Reformer

Mahmud Gawan was the greatest Bahmani prime minister:

Reforms:

1. Land revenue reforms — standardised land assessment
2. Strengthened the centre — reduced power of provincial governors
3. Military reforms — modernised the army
4. Diplomatic marriages — with rival Deccan Sultanates

Tragic End:

• Built the Madrasa at Bidar — a magnificent structure
• Was executed by Mahmud Shah III on suspicion of treason (1481)
• This weakened the Bahmani Sultanate — after his death, the Sultanate rapidly declined

Bahmani Architecture

Gulbarga:

• Jamiya Masjid — built like the great mosque of Córdoba — without a courtyard

Bidar:

• Bidar Fort — massive fortification with beautiful buildings
• Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan — elegant structures with fine tilework

Tomb of Kunna Kambayat: Not the point — but Bahmani buildings showed Persian and Indian fusion

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Bahmani-Vijayanagara Conflicts

The two powers were constant rivals — fought over the Raichur Doab (the region between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers):

Major Battles:

Year	Battle	Outcome
1360s	First Deccan War	Bahmanis pushed south
1377	Battle of Mudkal	Vijayanagara defeated Bahmanis
~1520	Battle of Raichur	Krishnadevaraya’s decisive victory

The Ballad of Gopal Tirtha:

• Krishnadevaraya reportedly wrote a satire on the Bahmani Sultan Mahmud Shah after the Raichur victory
• The Sultan’s poet Mulla wrote back — Krishnadevaraya was so impressed that he invited Mulla to his court

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🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)

Comprehensive coverage for students on a longer study timeline.

Decline of Vijayanagara

Causes

1. Deccan Sultanate alliance — the five Deccan Sultanates combined against Vijayanagara
2. Talaikonda (1565) — Battle of Talikota:
   • Combined armies of Bijapur, Golkonda, Ahmadnagar, and Bidar defeated the Vijayanagara army
   • Tirumala Deva Raya was killed (or died of illness)
   • The city of Hampi was sacked and destroyed — never fully recovered
3. Succession disputes — internal family conflicts weakened the empire
4. Economic decline — loss of trade routes and ports

After Talikota

• Hampi was abandoned — rulers moved to Penukonda and later to Chandragiri
• The Rayudu dynasty continued but in greatly diminished form
• Hampi’s ruins are what we see today — abandoned after the 1565 destruction

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Practice Questions for RPSC RAS

1. Who founded the Vijayanagara Empire? What was the legend associated with its founding?
2. Who was Krishnadevaraya? What were his major achievements?
3. What was the Mahanavami festival? Describe how it was celebrated.
4. What caused the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire?
5. Who was Mahmud Gawan? What reforms did he introduce?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing the Bahmani Sultanate with the Delhi Sultanate — they are separate; the Bahmani was a Deccan kingdom, not a branch of Delhi.
• Forgetting the Battle of Talikota — this was the decisive battle that ended Vijayanagara’s dominance, not just a minor skirmish.
• Thinking Hampi is still inhabited — it was destroyed in 1565 and has been ruins ever since.

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