Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c7.s3.53

v1.c7.s3.53

The ambition to trace their descent from the Yādavas was shared by the Vijayanagara monarchs with those who preceded them—the Hoysalas, between whom and themselves there was a similarity not only of language and system of government, but also, it may perhaps be said, of race and descent as well. The question of the origin of the first family, therefore, needs here some detailed explanation. The account of Firishtah, the evidence from inscriptions, and two Kannaḍa accounts written by contemporary authors will be our data in the solution of the problem. Firishtah narrates the story thus: "This year (=A.H. 744=A.D. 1344) Krishna Naig, the son of Ludder Dew, who lived near Wurungole, went privately to Bilal Dew, Raja of the Carnatic, and told him, that he had heard the Mahomedans, who were now very numerous in the Deccan, had formed the design of extirpating all the Hindoos, that it was, therefore, advisable to combine against them. Bilal Dew, convened a meeting of his kinsmen, and resolved, first, to secure the forts of his own country, and then to remove this seat of government among the mountains. Krishna Naig promised, on his part also, that when their plans were ripe for execution, to raise all the Hindoos of Wurungole and Tulingana, and put himself at their head.