Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c9.s2.20

v1.c9.s2.20

Before we examine the epigraphical evidence in favour of the story of the Hare, the Hermit, and Harihara, it may not be out of place to recount the opinions of scholars who have almost unanimously adhered to this strange fiction as an historical fact. Thus Wilson writes: "Tradition places also the foundation of Vijayanagar in A.D. 1336, a period not incompatible with the political events to which it probably owed its elevation, the capture of Dvārasamudra (the capital of the Belāl kings of Mysore) by the Mohamedans, and consequent decline of their power occurring in 1310-11, and the destruction of Warankal and the subversion of the Andhra or Telinga monarchy by the same enemies taking place about 1323".¹ Sir Walter Elliot remarks thus: "Assisted by his celebrated minister Mādhava, also called Vidyāraṇya, he (Harihara) fixed his capital near the ancient town of Anegundi, giving to it first the name of Hosapaṭṭana, ('new city'), afterwards of Hastināvati, perhaps the Sanskrit equivalent of the Canarese Anegundi, and, finally, as his power extended, that of Vijayanagar, 'the city of victory', which became its permanent designation, sometimes exchanged for Vidyānagara, 'the city of learning', in honour of his great minister".²