The tension and strife in Venkata Raya's family life accelerated the fall of the Empire itself, and his relatives' personal affairs were a major factor in this. The birth of a false heir was part of a cunning plan, and King Venkata Raya knew all about it. He kept the secret, though, because he cared about Queen Venkatamba and did not want the scandal to get out ..read more

Contrary to misconceptions, the Vijayanagara Empire did not crumble entirely after the Battle of Talikota in 1565. Such beliefs are not only far from the truth but also result from false propaganda. This Hindu Empire didn't collapse like a house of cards; it engaged in a fierce clash of civilizations and defended itself with unwavering determination. Like its predecessors, it stood resolute against fanatical Deccan Sultanates, fighting until its last breath to preserve its existence and cherished way of life. On the contrary, it's the Vijayanagara Empire that outlasts it's Deccan rivals when o ..read more

Before Venkata's reign, the Vijayanagara Empire had largely contented itself with defending its territories. Notably, Tirumala and later Ranga concentrated on safeguarding their domains from external threats. Ranga I, for instance, had taken action only to expel Muslims from Ahobilam and its surroundings. However, Venkata II chose a different path. He inaugurated his rule as Emperor of Vijayanagara with an offensive campaign, a strategy shift that would ultimately prove to be a game-changer.  ..read more

Imagine, if you will, a time when the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire, once an epitome of power and prosperity, was slowly waning. Even as the shadows of its own demise encroached around it, the empire started to cast its most brilliant and vibrant light, like a candle nearing its end. The emperor Venkatapati Deva Raya II, whose legacy we are about to explore, ruled during these tumultuous times. He stood as the candle's final guardian, its flame dancing defiantly against the encroaching darkness. His reign would prove to be a beacon of hope, a testament to the enduring spirit of Vijayanag ..read more

This episode and the next will look closely at the campaigns of Sri Krishna Devaraya against the Orissa Gajapati’s scion, Prataparudra Deva and their intense personal rivalry that added fuel to the already simmering fire between these two Hindu powers. Not many people realize that the aftermath of this long simmering war between these two great powers, was much more dramatic and in a way anticlimactic than what it is usually made out to be. The decline in the power of Orissan Gajapatis and the break up of it’s empire, practically begins with the ascension of Prataparudra to the throne and ..read more

Krishna Deva Raya’s period of rule constitutes the glorious epoch in the history of the Vijayanagara empire, with back to back military victories scored on all sides, in quick succession, besides being the apex time in the history of arts and culture in the South. The name Krishna Deva Raya, even till this day evokes the same response in the hearts and minds of millions of South Indians as much as it did in the 16th century. People loved him then and they love him now.  Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj, MahaRana Pratap and Krishna Deva Raya are some of the few rulers in Indian history who are ..read more

Krishna Deva Raya’s period of rule constitutes the glorious epoch in the history of the Vijayanagara empire, with back to back military victories scored on all sides, in quick succession, besides being the apex time in the history of arts and culture in the South. The name Krishna Deva Raya, even till this day evokes the same response in the hearts and minds of millions of South Indians as much as it did in the 16th century. People loved him then and they love him now.  In this episode we shall pick up from where we left in the last one. We shall look at the circumstances under which the ..read more

The 1st Emperor of the Saluva Dynasty, Saluva Narasimha died in about the year 1490 CE, without enjoying the power and position for long, leaving two minor sons behind him. Placing the kingdom under the charge of his trusted lieutenant, Tuluva Narasa Nayaka as a regent. When Narasanayaka raised the eldest of the princes to the throne, Timmaraja opposes him in favour of the younger prince which results in a intense rivalry that creates deep fissures in the fabric of Vijayanagara polity. This rivalry was rooted in their personal ambitions which led to dissensions in the court of Vijayanagara, th ..read more

The Sangamas were imploding due to a series of incompetent successors after the death of the Great Devaraya II.  The Empire was literally teetering at the edge and shrinking from all sides, while its enemies and opportunistic rebels reared their heads sensing the vulnerability of the Imperial Structure at the Capital. And there was a dramatic civil war raging in the Gajapati Kingdom of Orissa, after the death of the powerful Gajapati, Kapilendra Deva. In the midst of all this chaos, there was a figure in Vijayanagara who was growing stronger by the day in both political and military power ..read more

The great Emperor Devaraya II had passed away, his inexperienced and not so talented successor Mallikarjuna Raya had ascended the throne. And the dark clouds of war were already hovering around Vijayanagara. It’s arch rivals, the Bahamanis and Gajapatis were more than eager to commence a pincer move to finish it off with their opportunistic alliance. Will they succeed in their plan? Will Mallikarjuna be able to hold against his rivals ..read more