History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c11.9.4

c11.9.4

The foundation of the empire of Vijayanagar was followed by the introduction of the Telugu language and literature in the Kanarese country. The civil and military officers of the new empire were largely men of Telugu origin, who exerted their influence to introduce their own language, habits and customs among the people over whom they ruled. The effects of Telugu colonisation were seen in the adoption by the Tamils of strange festivals and observances and even superstitions, which were the principal features of the civilisation of their conquerors.¹⁰ The evidence of inscriptions leaves no room for doubt that Hari Hara and his brothers were Yadava Kṣatriyas descended from the Lunar race.¹¹ The Bitragunta grant of Saṃgamā II dated Śaka-Saṃvat 1278 (1356 A.D.) makes mention of the five sons of Saṃgamā I and a grandson of his who is named Saṃgamā II who is wrongly identified with the progenitor of the Vijayanagar Princes.¹² Saṃgamā I had five sons, Hari Hara, Bukkā, Kampā, Marappā and Mudappā, who all united to form a new kingdom in the Deccan with the help of the famous sage and scholar Vidyāraṇya, to serve as a bulwark against the Muhammadan aggressions. Mādhava, surnamed Vidyāraṇya, on account of his vast intellectual attainments, was instrumental in founding the empire of Vijayanagar in 1336 A.D.¹³ Firishta's account of the foundation of Vijaya-