Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c7.s2.15

v1.c7.s2.15

a post in the service of the Muhammadan chief, and was continuing to discharge his duties apparently faithfully to his new master. As soon as the news of the establishment of a powerful kingdom at Anegundi (Vijayanagar), the conquest of the Tondaimandalam by the representatives of that kingdom, and the establishment of a gubernatorial seat at Senji by a Vaishnava Brahmana reached the people of Srirangam, Tirumanattun-nambi, the son of Singappiran, despatched Uttama-nambi, one of the Sthalattar to Senji to inform Gopanarya that he would be communicating to the Governor news of the affairs of the Mussulmans from time to time, and that he should be prepared to start out with his army to crush the Muhammadans when the proper opportunity was intimated to him. Thus, then, was established communication between Senji and Samayavaram. Finally in Saka 1293, just 10 years after Kampana occupied Conjeeveram, an invitation was sent to him by Tirumanattun-nambi to march against the Muhammadans in Samayavaram and Srirangam, who had degenerated by drink and debauchery, and become thoroughly powerless to resist an attack." Gopanarya proceeded against Srirangam, crushed the Mussulmans, and on the 17th day of Vaikasi, in the year Paritapi, of the Saka 1293 (A.D. 1370-1), reset up the image of Ranganatha with great éclat. On this occasion old Vedanta Desika returned also to Srirangam from his retreat at Satyamangalam, and praised Gopanarya in two Sanskrit verses; these were engraved on the eastern wall of the first prakara of the Ranganatha temple.¹ The person, it is surmised, who suffered defeat and death at the hands of Kampana "must be the successor of Ahsan Shah".²