A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c17.94

c17.94

The Golconda ruler returned to the charge and invaded the Kondavidu territory. There were struggles round the forts of Vinukonda, Kondavidu and Udayagiri, and though inscriptions say that Śrīranga took these forts, the truth seems to be that Ibrahim gained considerable success and took much territory from Vijayanagar on this occasion which the Hindu empire never recovered. Śrīranga's failure was due to the virtual division of the empire which limited the resources at his command, since his brothers gave him little aid. The dissensions among the nobles, which led to many petty fights and wars and intrigues with the enemy, weakened the defence still further. When Śrīranga died without issue in 1585, his younger brother Venkata succeeded him, superseding the two sons of his elder brother Rāma who had been viceroy of Śrīrangapattana under Tirumala. These two boys were young at a time when strong rule was needed. The nobles, therefore, headed by Jaggadevarāya, chose Venkata to rule, and he fulfilled their expectations in an ample measure. He celebrated his coronation in 1585-6 and his reign of twenty-eight years was marked by a revival of strength and prosperity in the empire. He dealt successfully with the perennial trouble from the Muslim rulers of the Deccan, controlled the internal disorders effectively, and promoted the economic revival of the country.