Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c9.s2.121

v1.c9.s2.121

The problem of the date of its foundation is solved when we examine the dates of the inscriptions known as "Ch. 113", "Mg. 18" and "Sk. 281". The first one ("Ch. 113") is dated *Saka varusha 1200 (neva) Kilaka Samvatsarada Vaiśākha Ba. 5. Sō. Sravaṇa-nakshatra*,² which corresponds to Sunday, May 7th, A.D. 1368. The weekday, however, does not correspond.³ The second inscription, "Mg. 18" is dated *Saka-varusha 1290 neya Kilaka samvatsarda Śravaṇa Su. 2. Sō. dalu*⁴ or Monday, July 17th A.D. 1368.¹ Since the capital is not mentioned in this inscription, which is of a later date, we conclude that there was no Vijayanagara till July 17th A.D. 1368. The date of "Sk. 281" is thus given: "Then at a certain time reckoned by kha, randhra, kara and kumuda bāndhava (1290) the Sātavāhana Saka year Kilaka being current, on the day governed by the moon, the crest jewel whose glory is cherished with affection on the head of Siva (Monday), the 8th day of the dark fortnight of the autumn (month) Kārtika".² This agrees, but for the week day, which happens to be Friday, with November 3rd A.D. 1368.³ There is one particular statement in this inscription ("Sk. 281") which may be noted. Bukka is said to be "mounting the great throne of the New Vijayanagara". The date of this inscription and the significance which is implied in the above phrase enable us to conjecture that the great Hindu capital must have been built after July A.D. 1368 and before November A.D. 1368.