The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c29.168

v3.c29.168

By 1328 he had occupied both Madura and its outer salient Kannanūr, the Hoysala capital in the Chola country north of the island of Srīrangam, and the Hoysala Vīra Ballāla replied by beginning the fortification of Hampi as a substitute for Kampli, which had been destroyed during the rebellion of Bahā-ud-dīn Gurshāsp. He further strengthened the garrisons along the northern frontier, and moved southwards to occupy Tiruvannāmalai as a more suitable centre from which to watch Muhammadan garrisons in the south and Muhammadan movements from the north. This active movement of the Hoysala disconcerted the Muhammadan governor of Ma‘bar, and Muhammad had to send further contingents and other governors. Jalāl-ud-dīn Ahsan Shāh, the last officer sent by him, ruled in the name of his master for about five years, and proclaimed his independence in 1334. This rebellion was followed by others in the north, so that the south was left entirely to itself, and Jalāl-ud-dīn could enjoy a short period of independence. This interval of difficulty to Muhammad the Hoysala took advantage of to the full and gradually extended his authority southwards into the Chola country, and was even prepared, about 1340, to plan and carry out a sweeping movement as far south as Rāmēsvaram itself¹. As a provision against contingencies in this dangerous enterprise of his he had his son anointed to the throne in the holy place of Hampi under the designation of Vīra Virūpāksha Ballāla, in honour of the god Virūpāksha of Hampi, one of the long established holy places of the Hindus. His movements were so far successful that the northern garrisons held their positions efficiently and prevented the Muhammadans from coming into the south, if they ever made an effort at all. On the south he was able to isolate Madura, and even separate Kannanūr from it, so that in 1342 the garrison of Madura felt that there was no alternative for them except to make a desperate sally, as Kannanūr was so closely besieged that the fall of the place, which was imminent, would mean inevitably the fall of Madura. In a battle fought at Trichinopoly in 1342 Vīra Ballāla was taken prisoner at the moment of victory, and put to death². His son apparently succeeded, and perhaps also fell, like his father, in battle two or three years after his succession to the throne. The rulers fell, but the officers who had charge of the various garrisons planted across the northern frontier, continued the good work. Among these, five brothers had charge of important garrisons along the northern frontier. The eldest, Harihara or Hariyana Odiyar, had the southern Marātha territory under his charge with his head-quarters at Bankāpur or Goa. What was hitherto Banavāsi 12,000 and the coast country over against Mysore on the west were under his authority. Hampi and Dvārasamudra with an alternative at Penukonda were in charge of the third brother Bukka. Nellore and Udayagiri with the dependent territory were in charge of the second brother Kampa. The two youngest of the five brothers were subordinate governors, one at Āraga near Tīrthalli in Mysore and the other at Penukonda. Behind all these at Mulbāgal was placed the young and enterprising son of Bukka, by name Kumāra Kampana. He is described in Indian chronicles as having held the position of door-keeper to the Hoysala monarch. The five brothers and this prince were the officers of the Hoysalas who were primarily responsible for the foundation of Vijayanagar.