The history of the Vijaynagar Empire constitutes a glorious chapter in the history of India.
The Vijaynagar kingdom constitutes four dynasties which were-
- Sangama (1336–1485)
- Saluva (1485–1503)
- Tuluva (1503–1570)
- Aravidu (1570–1646)
SANGAMA DYNASTY
Harihara and Bukka established the Vijayanagar Empire. Originally they were feudatories of the Kakatiyas of Warangal. They were in Kampili where they were imprisoned and converted to Islam by Muhammed Bin Tughlaq.
Later, they returned to Hinduism at the initiative of Saint Vidyaranya. They proclaimed their independence and founded a new city on the banks of river Tughbhadra. It was called Vidyanagar or Vijaynagar meaning the city of victory.
Deva Raya 2 was the greatest ruler of the Sangama dynasty. He took the title of Gajbetegara which means the hunter of Elephants.
He was a great patron of literature, he himself authored Sobagine Sone, Amaruka, and Mahanatak Sudhanidhi. Persian traveller Abdur Razzak visited his empire.
SALUVA DYNASTY
This dynasty was founded by Saluva Narasimha and it ruled only for a short period of time.
Immadi Narasimha was ruler of vijayanagar when Vasco Da Gama landed in India.
TULUVA DYNASTY
It was founded by Vira Narasimha Raya in 1505 AD.
KRISHNA DEVA RAYA
He was the greatest of all vijayanagar rulers. Krishna Deva Raya was also known as Andhra pitamah, Abhinav Bhoj, Andhra Bhoj.
Battles fought by him-
- Battle of Diwani
- Bijapur
- Against Gajapati ruler Pratap rudra
He patronized eight eminent scholars of Telugu who were known as Ashta diggaja.
- Allasani Peddana
- Tenali Rama
- Pingali Suranna etc.
He constructed famous Hazara Rama temple and Vitthalaswamy temple.
Sada Shiva Raya
He was the last ruler of Tuluva Dyansty who puppet in the hands of his minister Aliya Rama Raya who was the de-facto king.
BATTLE OF TALAIKOTTA
It is also known as battle of bannihatti and rakshasa thangadi.
It was fought on 26 jan 1565 .The combined forces of Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golconda, Bidar, defeated the Vijayanagar Kingdom .
It was watershed moment in the history of south india. Vijaynagar was destroyed and Rama raya was executed.
ARAVIDU DYNASTY
After battle of talikotta , Vijaynagar empire existed for about another one century.
Aravidu Dynasty was founded by Thirumala.It’s last ruler was Sri Ranga 3 .The empire slowly shrunk and aravidu dynasty ended in 1646.
Thus one of greatest kingdoms in India became history.