Vijayanagar Empire

The Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1646) was founded by Harihara and Bukka on the Tungabhadra and became the dominant power of peninsular India for two centuries. It is known for the nayankara and ayagar systems, a strong revenue base, extensive foreign trade, and the monumental capital at Hampi, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The four dynasties

Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529) defeated the Gajapatis of Odisha and the Bahmani successor states, maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese, and wrote the Telugu political work Amuktamalyada. His court supported the ashtadiggajas, eight great Telugu poets including Allasani Peddana, called Andhrakavitapitamaha.

Administration

The empire was divided into provinces called mandalams or rajyas, under a governor often of the royal family, then nadus and villages. Two institutions define Vijayanagar administration.

• Land revenue was the main income, ranging from one-sixth to one-third depending on soil and crop
• Numerous additional taxes existed, including a marriage tax; Krishnadevaraya reduced some of them
• The state maintained a large standing army with cavalry imported through Portuguese-controlled ports
• Trade in horses with Arabia and Portugal was a strategic necessity, since south India could not breed war horses
• Foreign accounts by Nicolo Conti, Abdur Razzaq, Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz describe Hampi's wealth

Society, culture and Hampi

Vijayanagar patronised Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Sanskrit together. The architecture developed a distinct Vijayanagar or Provida style, with tall gopurams, ornate pillared mandapas, the amman shrine for the deity's consort and the kalyana mandapa. The Vitthala temple at Hampi with its stone chariot and musical pillars and the Hazara Rama temple are the standard examples. Hampi as a whole is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

✗ Vijayanagar architecture is a branch of the Nagara style  |  ✓ It is a late development of the Dravida tradition, with gopurams and pillared halls, not shikhara-based Nagara

Decline

The immediate cause was the Battle of Talikota or Rakshasa-Tangadi in 1565, in which a coalition of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda and Bidar defeated Vijayanagar forces led by Rama Raya, who was captured and killed. Hampi was sacked over several months. Longer term causes include the growing independence of the nayakas, constant warfare over the Raichur doab, and dependence on imported horses.

FAQ

Who founded the Vijayanagar Empire and when?

Harihara I and Bukka I founded it in 1336 on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra, with the guidance of the sage Vidyaranya. The Sangama dynasty they began was the first of four ruling houses, followed by the Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu dynasties.

What was the ayagar system?

A village administrative arrangement in which twelve hereditary functionaries - including the accountant, headman and watchman - ran village affairs and were paid through tax-free grants of land rather than salaries. It gave village administration stability independent of changes at the centre.

Why did Vijayanagar depend on imported horses?

The climate and terrain of south India were unsuitable for breeding good war horses, so cavalry mounts had to be imported from Arabia and Persia through the west coast ports. This made control of ports and good relations with Arab and later Portuguese traders a strategic necessity.