A History of Agriculture in India v2.c65.s25.1

v2.c65.s25.1

Sadasiva was the nominal ruler of Vijayanagar in A.D. 1542, while Ramaraja, the minister wielded all the power. Ramaraja played off the Sultans, one against the other. In A.D. 1564 the Sultans of Bijapur, Golkonda, Ahmadnagar, and Bidar combined against Vijayanagar. Ramaraja was defeated at Talikota in 23 January 1565. The royal family and their followers fled towards the fortress of Penukonda. Later on the capital was shifted to Chandragiri and finally to Vellore. The fate of Vijayanagar is thus described by Sewell. ‘Then a panic seized the city. The truth became at last apparent. This was not a defeat merely, it was a cataclysm. All hope was gone. The myriad dwellers in the city were left defenceless. No retreat, no flight was possible except to few for the pack-oxen and carts had almost all followed the forces to the war, and they had not returned. Nothing could be done but to bury all treasures, to arm the younger men, and to wait. Next day the place became a prey to the robber tribes and jungle people of the neighbourhood. Hordes of Brinjaris, Lambadis, Kurubas, and the like, pounced down on the hapless city and looted the stores and shops, carrying off great quantities of riches. Couto states that there were six concerted attacks by these people during the day.