A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c16.s1.79

c16.s1.79

I have given the whole of this story in this place because it runs as a consecutive series of events in the original Muhammadan account. But it really covers a period of at least twenty-one years; for the narrative begins shortly after the beginning of Qulî’s reign (1512), and ends with Ismâîl’s death (1534). We are left, therefore, entirely in the dark as to the exact years referred to. But there are some points of agreement between our authorities. It is certain that Krishna Deva took Kondavîd in A.D. 1515, and fought battles in the neighbourhood in the following year; and though Nuniz asserts that he took Kondavîd from the king of Orissa, he also alludes to the presence of armed bodies of Muhammadans in that tract opposed to the Hindus.