Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c11.s2.t4.70

v1.c11.s2.t4.70

We have no data which could enable us to compare Vijayanagara theory with that of the mediaeval canonist on this particular point, but we know that the monarchs of the south appointed members of the royal family as crown princes. An inscription dated A.D. 1378, after tracing the traditional descent of the sons of Sangama, says that the eldest Hariappa, "appointed his younger brother Bukka Rāja as yuva-rāja".³ It is not impossible that Bukka I appointed his son Chikka Kampaṇa Oḍeyar as yuva-rāja. This is inferred from the following considerations: an inscription from Chāmarājanagara describes Bukka I thus: *Bukkaṇṇa-voḍeyaru pṛthvirājyava māḍuvakāladalu*. It is dated *Śaka-varusha* 1290 neya Kilaka-saṃvatsarada Vayaśaka (Vaiśākha)—Ba. 5 Sō. *Śravaṇa-nakshatrada-śubha-yōgadalu*.⁴ This corresponds but for the week-day to Sunday, the 7th May, A.D. 1368.⁵ At the same time we have Vira Bukkaṇṇa Oḍeyar's son Chikka Kampaṇa Oḍeyar *pṛthvī-rājyaṃ-geyvutt-iddalli*. This epigraph is also dated *Śaka-varusha* 1290 neya Kilaka-saṃvatsarda Jēshṭha-śu. 10 lu.⁶ (A.D. 1368, May, Saturday 27th).⁷ Since Bukka Rāya I was still ruling in A.D. 1369,⁸ and since there is no evidence of dissensions among the founders or their near relatives, it may be concluded that Chikka Kampaṇa is mentioned in A.D. 1368 in the capacity of yuva-rāja. As regards the reign of Dēva Rāya I, Wilson remarked long ago thus:—".... his grants begin three years before those of his predecessors terminate. This circumstance recurs in the succeeding reign, making it probable that the practice prevailed, which was common in the remote periods of Hindu history, of a monarch's associating with him towards the close of his reign, his son and successor as Yuvaraja or Caesar".¹ About later Vijayanagara history we are told in the *Vasucharitamu* that Srīraṅga Rāya was nominated *yuva-rāja* by Tirumala Rāya.²