A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c15.29

c15.29

About the year 1475 there was a terrible famine in the Dakhan and the country of the Telugus, which lasted for two years. At its close the Hindu population of Kondapalle revolted, murdered the Muhammadan governor, and invited aid from the king of Orissa. This monarch accordingly advanced and laid siege to Râjahmundry, which was then the governorship of Nizâm-ul-Mulk, but on the Shâh marching in person to the relief of the place the army of Orissa retired. In the latter part of the year 882, which corresponds to March 1478 A.D., Muhammad penetrated to the capital of Orissa, “and used no mercy in slaughtering the inhabitants and laying waste the country of the enemy.” The Râjah submitted, and purchased his immunity from further interference on the part of the Sultan by a present of some valuable elephants.