A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c12.93

c12.93

A battle ensued in which the Hindus were defeated; but while the invading force had hardly recovered from their fatigue, the Râya's brother² "arrived at the city from his government with a reinforcement of twenty thousand horse and a vast army of foot."³ The fighting then became furious. In the middle of the battle the Sultan's uncle, Dâûd Khân,⁴ fearful for the safety of his sovereign, quitted his post at “Dhunna Sodra”¹ and joined in the engagement with distinguished gallantry. The Muhammadans were again victorious; but the enemy, having taken advantage of Dâûd Khân’s movement, had captured the abandoned position, and thus seriously threatened the Sultan’s retreat. He therefore left the field, and by skilful manœuvring enabled the whole of his force to extricate themselves in safety from the hills. With between sixty and seventy thousand prisoners, mostly women, he retreated from Vijayanagar and sat down before Adoni; but after a siege lasting nine months the attempt was abandoned, and the Sultan retired to his own territories. Thus ended the campaign.