A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c17.26

c17.26

With the Bāhmani kingdom, however, Devarāya's relations continued to be hostile. Soon after his accession in 1436, sultan Ala-ud-din II sent his brother Muhammad against Vijayanagar to recover 'the arrears of tribute', and Devarāya had to pay a large amount. The Vijayanagar armies were so consistently defeated in their contests with Bāhmani forces that Devarāya held a council of his nobility to explore the causes of Muslim successes and devise means of counteracting them. As a result, Mussalmans were thenceforth eligible for service in his army and allowed the free exercise of their religion; a Koran was placed before his throne that they ‘might perform the ceremony of obeisance in his presence, without sinning against their laws’. Further, the Hindu soldiers received better training, particularly in archery. After this reorganization the army became a more efficient striking force.