Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c11.s2.t4.46

v1.c11.s2.t4.46

"In the reign of Periya-Virapa Naicker (A.D. 1516) the king of Mavalivanam came with hostile intent, placed a fortified camp before Manamathurai and Kalaiyar-covil",² but, as we shall presently relate, the Vijayanagara viceroys were still loyal and powerful enough to defend the interests of the Empire against unruly chieftains. The troubles in the reign of Raṅga Rāya I, were many: there was the revolt on the west coast, the rebellion of the Maravar and Kallar tribes in the south, and the Muhammadan danger in the north.³ Veṅkaṭapati Dēva I's reign was also pregnant with grave problems in the shape of the rebellion of Virappa Nāyaka, the ruler of Madura, and the defection of Tirumala, the eldest son of Rāma, and his march to Śrīraṅgapaṭṭaṇa.⁴ The Nāyaka of Gingee, Kṛishṇappa Nāyaka, also added to the trouble by revolting against Veṅkaṭapati Rāya II.⁵ The Tanjore Nāyaka showed unmistakable signs of insubordination in about A.D. 1595.⁶ Finally the Nandyāla chief called Kṛishṇa Rāja raised the banner of revolt.⁷