Administration and Social Life under Vijayanagar c5.12

c5.12

Kṛṣṇa Rāya was succeeded on the throne by his step-brother Acyuta Rāya who in spite of his numerous difficulties ruled over the empire with success. He left his throne to his son Veṅkaṭa who lost his life in a palace revolution after a brief rule for a few months after his accession. Salakarāju Tirumala seized the throne; but he was slain by Rāmarāja, a son-in-law of Kṛṣṇadēva Rāya and a great ruler. As a result of this, Acyuta’s nephew Sadāśiva ascended the throne. He was a weak ruler and the one dominating personality who swayed the destinies of the empire during his time was Rāma Rāja. He set his Muhammadan neighbours one against the other and crippled their power to a considerable extent. But they soon realised the folly of their disunion, formed a grand alliance among themselves, and inflicted a crushing defeat on the Hindus of the south led by Rāma Rāja and his brothers at the historic battle of Raksas Tangdi in A.D. 1565. Rāma Rāja himself died in the battle. The city of Vijayanagar was partially destroyed by the Muhammadans. But soon order was restored in South India and the Hindu empire regained its original position and power.