Bahmani and Vijayanagara Kingdoms (part II )

Vijaya Nagara Empire

• The founders of Vijaya Nagar Empire were Harihara and Bukka Rai, the revenue officers of the Kakatiya ruler Pratap Rudra Deva II of Warrangal.
• They founded the dynasty in 1336 with the capital as Vijaya Nagara on the banks of Tungbhadra river with the help of Saint Vidyaranya.
• Vijayanagara kingdom lasted for 230 years and produced four dynasties.
• Sangama (1336 - 1485)
• Saluva - (1485 - 1505)
• Tuluva (1505 - 1565) and
• Aravidu (1565 - 1672)
• Krishna Deva Raya (1509 - 1529) belonged to the Tuluva dynasty. The Italian traveller Nicolocont visited his court.
• Krishnadeva Rayar is known as ‘Andhra Bhoja’ He wrote Ushaparinayam and Amuktamalyada
• Allasani Peddanna, a Telugu poet was a courtier of Krishna Deva Raya. He is considered as the ‘‘Andra Kavita Pitamaha’’ the Grand Father of Telugu poetry.
• ‘Ashtadiggajas’ was the famous Scholastic Assembly in the court of Krishna Deva Raya.

Vijayanagar Empire was visited by many foreign travellers:-

• Nicolo Conti - Venitian traveller, visited during the reign of Devaraya I.
• Abdur Razzak : Ambassador of Sulthan ShahRukh to the court of Devaraya II.
• Damingos Paes : He visited Krishna Devaraya’s court.
• Ferona Nuniz : A Portuguese who visited during Achyuta Raya’s reign.
• Durate Barbosa : A portuguese who visited Krishnadeva Raya’s court.
• Athenasius Nikitin (1415) : He was a Russian, who visited during Deva Raya I’s period He wrote, ‘Voyage to India’.