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Vijayanagara Empire Notes with PDF

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These notes are your ultimate revision weapon to revise Vijayanagara Empire. We’ve distilled years of previous exam questions (PYQs) into one powerful, concise resource. Everything you need to know, nothing you don’t.

  • PYQs, Decoded: All key concepts from past exams, organized and simplified.
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Vijayanagara Empire: Consolidated Key Facts

I. Foundation and Early History (c. 1336 CE)

  • Founders: Harihara I and Bukka I (the Sangama brothers).
  • Foundation Year: 1336 CE.
  • Background:
    • They were originally ministers in the court of the Kampili kingdom.
    • Captured by Muhammad bin Tughluq, they were forced to convert to Islam.
    • They later reconverted to Hinduism under the guidance of the sage Vidyaranya (Madhav Vidyaranya) and the scholar Sayana.
  • Capitals:
    • The first capital was established at Anegundi.
    • Harihara I founded a new city on the south bank of the Tungabhadra River (a tributary of the Krishna), which became the primary capital, Vijayanagara (Hampi).
    • Other later capitals included Vinukonda and Chandragiri.

II. Dynasties of Vijayanagara

The empire was ruled by four successive dynasties throughout its history:

  1. Sangama Dynasty (1336 – 1485) – Longest Rule
    • Founders: Harihara I and Bukka I.
  2. Saluva Dynasty (1485 – 1505) – Shortest rule
    • Founded by Narasimha Saluva, who ended the Sangama dynasty.
  3. Tuluva Dynasty (1505 – 1570)
    • Founded by Vira Narasimha who deposed the last Saluva ruler.
    • Its most famous ruler was Krishnadeva Raya.
  4. Aravidu Dynasty (1570 – 1646/1650)
    • Founded by Tirumala (brother of Rama Raya) after the Battle of Talikota.

III. Important Rulers and Their Contributions

  • Harihara I (Sangama)
    • Established the new capital at Vijayanagara (Hampi).
    • Ruled as the agent of a deity who was believed to own all land south of the Krishna River.
  • Bukka I (Sangama)
    • Sent an ambassador to the Emperor of China in 1374 CE.
  • Harihara II (Sangama)
    • Took the title “Maharajadhiraja”.
    • Achieved a major victory by capturing Belgaum and Goa from the Bahamani Kingdom.
  • Deva Raya I (Sangama)
    • Hosted the Italian traveler Nicolo Conti.
  • Devaraya II (Sangama)
    • Hosted the Persian ambassador Abdur Razzaq.
  • Krishnadeva Raya (Tuluva) (1509-1529 CE)
    • Golden Age: His reign is considered the empire’s peak and a golden age for Telugu literature.
    • Coronation: Coronated in 1509 CE.
    • Titles: Known as ‘Andhra Bhoja’.
    • Literature: An accomplished author who wrote the epic ‘Amuktamalyada’ (अमुक्तमाल्यद).
    • Court Poets: His court was adorned by the ‘Ashtadiggajas’ (eight great poets). The most prominent was Allasani Peddana. The famous poet Srinatha was also associated with his court.
    • Constructions: Built the Hazara Rama Temple and Vittalswami (Vitthal) Temple (famous for its 56 musical pillars). Founded the city of Nagalapura (Nagalapuram) in honour of his mother.
    • Military: Fought and defeated Quli Qutb Shah, the Sultan of Golconda. Babur described him as the most powerful ruler in India.
    • Foreign Accounts: Hosted the Portuguese traveler Domingo Paes.
  • Achyuta Deva Raya (Tuluva) (1529-1542 CE)
    • Succeeded his half-brother, Krishnadeva Raya.
    • Ruler when the Portuguese writer Fernão Nuniz visited the empire.
  • Venkata II (Aravidu) (1586-1614 CE)
    • A later king considered one of the greatest of the Aravidu dynasty.
    • Moved the capital to Chandragiri.
    • Was ruler when Raja Wodeyar founded the Kingdom of Mysore in 1612 CE.

IV. Administration and Economy

  • Financial System:
    • The chief revenue source was Land Revenue (called Shisth or RaiRekha).
    • The revenue department was called Athavane.
  • Taxation under Krishnadeva Raya:
    • Land was classified (wetland, dry land, etc.) and the tax rate was fixed based on quality and irrigation.
    • Private owners of workshops paid an industry tax.

V. Society and Culture

  • Role of Women (as per Nuniz):
    • Experts in wrestling, astrology, accounting, and soothsaying.
    • Also worked as dancers, domestic helpers, and palanquin bearers.
  • Literature:
    • Ganga Devi, wife of Kumara Kampana, wrote ‘Madhura-Vijayam’ describing the conquest of Madurai.
    • The Kavi Traya (Nannaya, Tikkana, and Yerrapragada) translated the Mahabharata into Telugu.
    • Srinatha was a famous Telugu poet.
  • Religion and Scholarship:
    • Sayana, the famous commentator on the all 4 Vedas, was patronized by the Harihar and Bukka.
  • Architecture:
    • Notable for Kalyan Mandapas (large ceremonial pavilions).
    • Key temples include the Virupaksha Temple, Vittalswami (Vitthal) Temple, and Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi.
    • The Bhoramdeo Temple (a group of Shiva temples) was constructed by Shri Laxmanadeva Raya.
  • Capital:
    • Hampi was the primary capital. Its ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

VII. Decline of the Empire

  • Battle of Talikota (1565 CE):
    • A decisive battle fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda).
    • The Vijayanagara army was defeated, leading to the empire’s rapid decline.
  • Aftermath:
    • Tirumala (Rama Raya’s brother) took over and started the Aravidu dynasty.
    • The empire fragmented, leading to the rise of regional kingdoms like Mysore (founded 1612 CE).
    • The empire is generally considered to have ended around 1646 CE.

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