The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c29.174

v3.c29.174

The earlier wars between the lately established kingdoms of the Deccan and Vijayanagar are described in Chapter xv. Muhammad I died in 1377, and Bukka followed him a year later. After the destruction of the Muhammadan kingdom of Madura in 1377² Vijayanagar was free to employ its whole strength against its northern neighbour, and, notwithstanding the victories of Mujāhid Shāh Bahmanī in that year, ventured to describe himself as ‘emperor of the south’ among other imperial titles; and claimed to be ‘one that established the Vedas, and maintained the four castes and orders,’ and as ‘the publisher of the commentaries on the Vedas.’ It was in this work of the founders of Vijayanagar that the Brāhmans, Vidyāranya and his brother Sāyana, had a share. The Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar stood for all that constituted Hindu civilisation and culture in the south. The five brothers and prince Kampana continued the policy of the last Hoysalas, and Harihara II reaped the fruits of their labours. With him, therefore, the kingdom may be said to begin.