Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c9.s2.72

v1.c9.s2.72

(a) The statements made as regards the king are unconvincing. Bukka is stated to have been "seated in the jewel throne in the city named Vidyā, distinguished as the abode of Vijaya (victory) made by Vidyāraṇya".¹ This is historically incorrect, because in that year A.D. 1344 the kingdom of Vijayanagara was not founded. Secondly, when it was first established, it was ruled not by one man but by all the brothers conjointly. The joint-sovereignty of the sons of Saṅgama is commemorated in two ways: in their famous pilgrimage to the holy place of Śṛiṅgēri in A.D. 1346;² and in an inscription also of the same date, which definitely informs us that the great city of Hastini (Anegundi) was "protected by Harihara together with his brothers".³ The other statement made about Bukka is that he had the title of Rājādhirāja, and the like. It is highly improbable that the founders ever assumed imperial titles when they were aware of their powerful enemies in the south.