A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c16.65

c16.65

Before Mahmud Gawan's return, news of a war of succession in Orissa, following the death of Kapileśvara Gajapati, reached Muhammad III in the form of an appeal for aid from Kapileśvara's son Hambar (Hamvīra) against an usurper named Mangal, by whom Purushottama Gajapati, another of Kapileśvara's sons, seems to be meant. Malik Hasan, one of the two Brahmin youths brought from Vijayanagar by Ahmad the Saint, was sent against the usurper whom he was successful in defeating and thus secured the throne for Hambar. Hambar was to repay Malik Hasan later on when he helped him to reduce the Reddis of Rajahmundry and Kondavīdu. Malik Hasan's achievements received due recognition when he returned to the capital, but Purushottama soon displaced Hambar and won the throne of Orissa for himself, Hambar consenting to rule in Kimedi as a subordinate vassal.