Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c11.s2.t4.60

v1.c11.s2.t4.60

The other turn which this method took was singular in the sense that it won the confidence not only of princes but of the people as well. There are some famous examples of joint-rule in Vijayanagara history. The first relates to the early years when the sons of Saṅgama gave public demonstration to the spirit of solidarity which characterized the Hindus in the face of common danger. An inscription in Tamil dated A.D. 1346 gives us the following information: "Then Mahāmaṇḍalēśvaras, subduers of hostile kings, champions over kings who break their word, śri-Vira Ariyappa Uḍaiyar and Bukkaṇṇa Uḍaiyar were ruling the Earth".² Another inscription of the same date, also in Tamil, begins thus: "The following is the order with the royal seal issued by (with titles) śri-Hariyappa Uḍaiyar and Muttaṇṇa (i.e., Bukkaṇṇa) Uḍaiyar to the inhabitants of Tēkkal-nāḍu".³ An inscription dated A.D. 1386 records the same titles and continues to state that "Vira Hariappa Oḍeyar Bukkaṇṇa Oḍeyar was ruling a secure kingdom".⁴ Mr. Kṛiṣhṇa Sāstri has discussed the question of Vijaya's having been co-regent with his father Dēva Rāya I for two or three years prior to Saka 1343 (A.D. 1421-2); and of Vijaya's joint-rule with his son Dēva Rāya II from Saka 1342 (A.D. 1421-2) till Saka 1346 (A.D. 1424-5)⁵. According to him Virūpāksha Rāya also "appears to have continued to rule jointly with his son 'Padea Rao' almost until the actual usurpation of the throne by the minister Sāḷuva Nṛisimha Rāja".⁶