The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c7.46

v1.c7.46

5. It is clear from original sources that Venkata I's reign did not last very long: 'he soon died'¹, 'he died after a short time'², 'he soon went to the city of Indra'³, 'before long ascended to Indra's abode'⁴ are the phrases used to announce his demise. We do not know the exact date of his end; but since there is an inscription of Sadasiva corresponding to July, 1542, we cannot suppose that the reign of Venkata lasted more than half a year. About the kind of death the unfortunate Sovereign met with, the statement of Correa gives full details: Salakam Timma, in order to strengthen his position and avoid any danger of civil or foreign war in favour of his royal nephew, caused Venkata to be assassinated together with two of his uncles and one of his cousins⁵. The aim of Salakam Timma was quite clear: to extinguish the whole of the royal family, excepting his own person: one of his victims was most likely Ranga, the father of Sadasiva and uncle of Venkata; Sadasiva himself was no doubt one of the intended victims, but he fortunately escaped the violence of the bloodthirsty Regent. Ferishta relates that Venkata was strangled by his uncle⁶. Even a damaged inscription on the Garuda-mandapam of the Chennakesavasvamin temple at Markapur records this family crime by stating that Timma 'sinned against his lord'⁷.