A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c7.26

c7.26

The Tungabhadra is the chief tributary of the Krishna formed by the union, near Kudali, of the two streams Tunga and Bhadra which rise near the Bababudan hills in the western marches of Mysore. The united stream strikes in a north-easterly direction through Mysore and skirts the Ceded Districts till it reaches its confluence with the Krishna a little beyond Kurnool town after a total run of 400 miles. The bed of both the headstreams of the Tungabhadra is rocky, and the country along the course of the united stream rises rapidly away from the river rendering difficult the use of its waters for irrigation. The river is perennial in character and comes down in frequent heavy rushes during the rains. It was dammed by the rulers of Vijayanagar near Hampi for watering the palaces and gardens of that great city.