History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c11.34

c11.34

Though Hari Hara exercised sovereignty over a large area, he did not assume the titles of an independent monarch. He is described in his inscriptions as "Mahāmandaleśvara" or 'Hariyappa Vodeya' which indicates a lesser dignity than that of a full-fledged ruler.¹⁸ This modesty was probably due to a remarkable foresight. He wanted to play a waiting game. The interests of his growing empire demanded that he should do nothing to offend his powerful neighbours. Towards the north were the possessions of the Dihli Sultan, whom he could ill afford to displease or perhaps with whom he wished to keep friendly relations at least in appearance, and towards the south were the famous Hoysala ruler Vīr Ballāla III who still exercised paramount authority over the Southern Districts, and the Sultan of Madura who held extensive possessions in the South-east, and who was always ready to fight against his Hindu neighbours. Prudence dictated caution; and Hari Hara clearly saw the danger to which his kingdom was exposed and avoided coming into collision with these formidable neighbours. He was more afraid of his southern neighbours than of the Sultan of Dihli, as is shown by the share which he took in the grand confederacy that was organised by Kriṣṇa Nāyak of Telingana, a few years later, to expel the Muhammadans from the Deccan. But Vijayanagar had a great future before it. A power of substance was needed in the South to rally the forces of Hinduism against Islam, and it was this glorious rôle of the champion of Hindu interests which devolved upon the rulers of Vijayanagar after the disappearance of the Hoysalas from the political field.