A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c10.30

c10.30

The chronicle of Nuniz gives a definite account of how the sovereigns of Vijayanagar first began to acquire the power which afterwards became so extensive. This account may or may not be accurate in all details, but it at least tallies fairly with the epigraphical and other records of the time. According to him, Muhammad Taghlaq of Delhi, having reduced Gujarât, marched southwards through the Dakhan Bâlâghât, or high lands above the western ghâts, and a little previous to the year 1336¹ seized the town and fortress of Ânegundi. Its chief was slain, with all the members of his family. After a futile attempt to govern this territory by means of a deputy, Muhammad raised to the dignity of chief of the state its late minister, a man whom Nuniz calls “Deorao,” for “Deva Râya,” or Harihara Deva I. The new chief founded the city of Vijayanagar on the south bank of the river opposite Ânegundi and made his residence there, with the aid of the great religious teacher Mâdhava, wisely holding that to place the river between him and the ever-marauding Moslems was to establish himself and his people in a condition of greater security than before. He was succeeded by “one called Bucarao” (Bukka), who reigned thirty-seven years, and the next king was the latter’s son, “Pureoyre Deo” (Harihara Deva II.).