Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c9.s6.1

v1.c9.s6.1

The great capital, which had not its rival as regards fortifications and wealth, was abandoned by the Hindus. They were cowed by the cruel fate that overtook Rāma Rāya. The invasion of the Bēḍars, who must have swept over the capital in greater numbers then we can gather, must have made matters worse. But the motive which drove Tirumala finally out of Vijayanagara was the insecurity which he felt against the enemy. "Frederick seems to attribute it to another war with the Muhammadans; and the Chikkadevaraya Vamsavali says clearly that he changed his capital 'on account of the constant attacks of the Muhammadans' which naturally baffled all attempts on the part of the Regent to repopulate the city".³