Krishnadevaraya
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Tuluva Krishna Deva Raya
King of Vijayanagara Empire
Reign
July 26, 1509 - 1529
Tulu
ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ
Kannada
ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ
Telugu
శ్రీ కృష్ణదేవరాయ
Titles
Mooru Rayaraganda, Andhra Bhoja ,Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana, Malla Rayer
Birthplace
Hampi, Karnataka
Died
1529
Predecessor
Viranarasimha Raya
Successor
Achyuta Deva Raya
Consort
Chinnambike, Thirumalambike
Dynasty
Tuluva Dynasty
Father
Narasa Nayaka
Mother
Nagala Devi
Vijayanagara Empire
Sangama Dynasty
Harihara Raya I
1336-1356
Bukka Raya I
1356-1377
Harihara Raya II
1377-1404
Virupaksha Raya
1404-1405
Bukka Raya II
1405-1406
Deva Raya I
1406-1422
Ramachandra Raya
1422
Vira Vijaya Bukka Raya
1422-1424
Deva Raya II
1424-1446
Mallikarjuna Raya
1446-1465
Virupaksha Raya II
1465-1485
Praudha Raya
1485
Saluva Dynasty
Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya
1485-1491
Thimma Bhupala
1491
Narasimha Raya II
1491-1505
Tuluva Dynasty
Tuluva Narasa Nayaka
1491-1503
Viranarasimha Raya
1503-1509
Krishna Deva Raya
1509-1529
Achyuta Deva Raya
1529-1542
Sadashiva Raya
1542-1570
Aravidu Dynasty
Aliya Rama Raya
1542-1565
Tirumala Deva Raya
1565-1572
Sriranga I
1572-1586
Venkata II
1586-1614
Sriranga II
1614-1614
Ramadeva
1617-1632
Venkata III
1632-1642
Sriranga III
1642-1646
Recently excavated Vishnu temple, Hampi
Tuluva Sri Krishna Deva Raya (Tulu: ತುಳುವ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ, Kannada: ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ, Telugu: శ్రీకృష్ణదేవరాయ)a.k.a.Krishna Raya (1509-1529 CE) was the famed Emperor of Vijayanagara empire. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by all Dravidians and especially the Tuluvas, Kannadigas and Telugus., one of the great emperors of India. Emperor Krishna Deva Raya also earned the titles Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana (ಕನ್ನಡರಾಜ್ಯರಮಾರಮಣ), Mooru Rayara Ganda (ಮೂರುರಾಯರಗಂಡ) (meaning King of three kings) and Andhra Bhoja (ఆంధ్రభోజ). Much of our information about his reign comes from the accounts of Portuguese travelers Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz. Krishna Deva Raya was assisted in administration by the very able prime minister Timmarusu, who was revered by the king as a father figure and was responsible for his corronation. Krishna Deva Raya was the son of Nagala Devi and Tuluva Narasa Nayaka[1] an army commander under Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, who later took control of the reign of the empire to prevent it from disintegration. The king's coronation took place on the birthday of Lord Krishna and his earliest inscription is from July 26, 1509 CE. He built a beautiful suburb near Vijayanagara called Nagalapura in memory of his mother.
Contents[hide]
1 Personality
2 Military Campaigns and Foreign Relations
2.1 Success in Deccan
2.2 War with Feudatories
2.3 War with Kalinga
2.4 Final conflict
3 Internal Affairs
4 Art and Literature
4.1 Kannada Literature
4.2 Tamil Literature
4.3 Sanskrit Literature
4.4 Telugu Literature
4.5 Amuktamalyada
5 Religion and Culture
6 References
7 Notes
8 External links
//
[edit] Personality
Most of the information about Krishna Deva Raya is obtained from inscriptions and from the accounts of foreign travellers. [2]. The king was of medium height, had a cheerful disposition, and was known to be respectful to foreign visitors, ruthless in maintaining the law, and prone to fits of anger. He maintained himself to a high level of physical fitness through daily exercises. Travelogues indicate that king was not only an able administrator, but also an excellent army general, leading from the front in battle and even attending to the wounded.
[edit] Military Campaigns and Foreign Relations
The rule of Krishna Deva Raya was a glorious chapter in Vijayanagar history when its armies were successful everywhere. It was a golden age. On occasions, the king was known to change battle plans abruptly and turn a losing battle into victory. The first decade of his rule was one of long sieges, bloody conquests and victories. His main enemies were the Gajapatis of Orissa who had been at constant conflict since the rule of Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, The Bahamani Sultans, though divided into five small kingdoms were still a constant threat, the Portuguese were a rising maritime power and hence controlled much of the sea trade. The feudatory chiefs of Ummatur, Reddys of Kondavidu and Velamas of Bhuvanagiri had time and again rebelled against Vijayanagar authority.
[edit] Success in Deccan
The annual affair of the raid and plunder of Vijayanagar towns and villages by the Deccan sultans came to an end during the Raya's rule. In 1509. Krishnadevaraya's armies clashed with the Sultan of Bijapur at Diwani and the sultan Mahmud was severely injured and defeated. Yusuf Adil Khan was killed and Kovilkonda was annexed. Taking advantage of the victory and disunity of the Bahamani Sultans, the Raya invaded Bidar, Gulbarga and Bijapur and earned the title "establisher of the Yavana kingdom" when he released Sultan Mahmud and made him de-facto ruler.
[edit] War with Feudatories
He subdued local rulers, Reddys of Kondavidu and Velamas of Bhuvanagiri, and seized lands up to the Krishna river. Ganga Raja, the Ummatur chief fought Krishna Deva Raya on the banks of the Kaveri and was defeated. The chief later drowned in the Kaveri in 1512. The region was made a part of the Srirangapatna province. In 1516-1517, he pushed beyond the Godavari river.
[edit] War with Kalinga
He defeated the Gajapatis of Orissa who were in occupation of northern Andhra in five campaigns. The success at Ummatur provided the necessary impetus to carry his campaign into to Telangana region which was in control of Gajapati Prathapa Rudra. The Vijayanagar army laid siege to Udayagiri fort in 1512. The campaign lasted for a year before the Gajapati army was routed. Krishna Deva Raya offered prayers at Tirupati thereafter along with his wives Tirumala Devi and Chinna Devi. His kulaguru Vyasatirtha wrote many songs in praise of the King after this victory. The Gajapati army was then met at Kondavidu where after a siege of a few months, Krishna Deva Raya along with Saluva Timmarasa inflicted another defeat on Prathapa Rudra. Saluva Timmarasa took over as governor of Kondavidu thereafter. The Vijayanagar army then accosted the Gajapati army at Kondapalli area and laid another siege. This was the final defeat for the Gajapathi king who offered his daughter Jaganmohini in marriage to Krishna Deva Raya. She became his third queen.
He established friendly relations with the Portuguese, who set up the Portuguese Dominion of India in Goa in 1510. The Emperor obtained guns and Arabian horses from the Portuguese merchants. He also utilized Portuguese expertise in improving water supply to Vijayanagara City.
[edit] Final conflict
The complicated alliances of the empire and the five Deccan sultanates meant that he was continually at war; in one of these campaigns, he defeated Golconda and captured its commander Madurul-Mulk, crushed Bijapur and its sultan Ismail Adil Shah and restored Bahmani sultanate to Muhammad Shah.
The highlight of his conquests occurred on May 19, 1520 where he secured the fortress of Raichur from Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur after a difficult siege during which 16,000 Vijaynagar soldiers were killed. The exploits of the chief military commander, Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu, during the battle of Raichur were suitably rewarded by the grateful emperor. During the campaign against Raichur, it is said that 703,000 foot soldiers, 32,600 cavalry and 551 elephants were used (See The battle of Raichur). Finally, in his last battle, he razed to the ground the fortress of Gulburga, the early capital of the Bahmani sultanate. His empire extended over the whole of South India.
In 1524 he made his son Tirumalai Raya the Yuvaraja though the crown prince did not survive for long. He was poisoned to death. Suspecting the involvement of Saluva Timmarasa, Krishna Deva Raya had his trusted commander and adviser blinded.
[edit] Internal Affairs
Paes summarises the king's attitude to matters of law and order by the sentence, "The king maintains the law by killing." Offences against property (designed to maintain stability) and for murder ranged from cutting of a foot and hand for theft and beheading for murder (except for those occurring as a result of duel). Paes could not estimate the size of Vijaynagar as his view was obscured by the hills but estimated the city to be at least as large as Rome. Furthermore, he considered Vijaynagar to be "the best provided city in the world" with a population of not less than a half a million.
The empire was divided into a number of provinces often under members of the royal family and into further subdivisions. The official languages of the court were Kannada and Telugu .
Sewe I remarks that Krishna Deva Raya was not only a monarch de-jure, but he was also a de-facto sovereign with extensive powers and strong personal influence. With the active cooperation of Saluva Thimmarasa he administered the Kingdom well, maintained peace in the land and increased the prosperity of the people.
The administration of the empire was carried on along the lines indicated in his Amuktamalyada. He was the opinion that the King should always rule with an eye towards Dharma. His concern for the welfare of the people is amply proved by his extensive annual tours all over the empire, during which he studied everything personally and tried to redress the grievances of the people and to punish the evil doers.
The Portuguese Chronicler Domingo Paes praises Krishna Deva Raya as, “the most feared and perfect King… a great ruler and a man of much justice”. Though a follower of Vaishnavism he showed respect all sects and petty religious prejudices never influenced him either in granting gifts or in his choice of companions and officers. According to Barbosa, “The King allows such freedom that every man may come and go live according to his own creed, without suffering any annoyance”.
[edit] Art and Literature
Vitthala temple with musical pillars, Hoysala style multigonal base Hampi
The rule of Krishna Deva Raya was an age of prolific literature in many languages, although it is also known as a golden age of Telugu literature. Many Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada and Tamil poets enjoyed the patronage of the emperor. Emperor Krishna Deva Raya was fluent in many languages including his mother tongue Tulu[3].
[edit] Kannada Literature
He patronised Kannada poets Mallanarya who wrote Veera-saivamrita, Bhava-chinta-ratna and Satyendra Chola-kathe, Chatu Vittal-anatha who wrote Bhaga-vatha, Timmanna Kavi who wrote a eulogy of his king in Krishna Raya Bharata[4][5]. Vyasatirtha, the great saint from Mysore belonging to the Madhwa order of Udupi was his Rajguru who wrote many songs in praise of his devoted king[6]. Krishna Deva Rayana Dinachari in Kannada is a recently discovered work[7]. The record highlights the contemporary society during Krishna Deva Raya's time in his personal diary. However it is not yet clear if the record was written by the king himself.
[edit] Tamil Literature
Krishna Deva Raya patronised Tamil poet Haridasa [8].
[edit] Sanskrit Literature
In Sanskrit, Vyasatirtha wrote Bhedo-jjivana, Tat-parya-chandrika, Nyaya-mrita (a work directed against Advaita philosophy) and Tarka-tandava. Krishna Deva Raya himself an accomplished scholar wrote Madalasa Charita, Satyavadu Parinaya and Rasamanjari and Jambavati Kalyana[9][10][11].
[edit] Telugu Literature
Krishna Deva Rayalu’s ("Desa bhashalandu telugu Lessa") reign was the golden age of Telugu literature. Eight poets known as Astadiggajalu (eight elephants in the eight cardinal points such as North, South etc.) were part of his court (known as Bhuvana-vijayamu). According to the Vaishnavite religion there are eight elephants in eight corners in space and hold the earth in its place. Similarly these eight poets were the eight pillars of his literary assembly. Who constituted Ashtadiggajas is not certain. But, it is popularly believed to include these : Allasani Peddana, Nandi Thimmana, Madayyagari Mallana, Dhurjati, Ayyala-raju Rama-Bhadrudu, Pingali Surana, Rama-raj-bhushanudu and Tenali Rama Krishna.
Among these eight poets Allasani Peddana is considered to be the greatest and is given the title of Andhra Kavita Pitamaha (the father of Telugu poetry). Manu-charitramu is his popular prabhanda work. Nandi Timmana wrote Pari-jata-apaharan-amu. Madayya-gari Mallana wrote Raja-sekhara Charitramu. Dhurjati wrote Kalahasti Mahatyamu and Ayyal-raju Rama-bhadrudu wrote Rama-abhyuday-amu. Pingali Surana wrote the still remarkable Raghava-pandaveey-amu, a dual work with double meaning built into the text, describing both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Battumurty alias Rama-raja-bhushanudu wrote Kavya-lankara-sangrahamu, Vasu-charitramu, and Haris-chandrana-lopakhyanamu. Among these works the last one is a dual work which tells simultaneously the story of King Harishchandra and Nala and Damayanti. Tenali Ramakrishna first wrote Udbhataradhya Charitramu, a Shaivite work and later wrote Vaishnava devotional texts Pandu-ranga Mahatmyamu, and Ghati-kachala Mahatmyamu. The period of the Empire is known as “Prabandha Period,” because of the quality of the prabandha literature produced during this time. Tenali Rama remains one of the most popular folk figures in India today, a quick-witted courtier ready even to outwit the all-powerful emperor.
[edit] Amuktamalyada
Sri Krishna Deva Raya wrote the Amuktamalyada in Telugu, in which he beautifully describes the pangs of separation suffered by Andal (one of the twelve bhakti era alwars) for her lover Lord Vishnu. He describes Andal’s physical beauty in thirty verses; using descriptions of the spring and the monsoon as metaphors. As elsewhere in Indian poetry - see Sringara - the sensual pleasure of union extends beyond the physical level and becomes a path to, and a metaphor for, spirituality and ultimate union with the divine.
One of the main characters is Periyalwar, the father of Andal. Lord Vishnu commands Periyalwar to teach a king of the Pandya dynasty the path of knowledge to moksha. Amuktamalyada is also known by the name Vishnu-chitteeyam, a reference to Vishnu-chittudu, the telugu name of Periyalwar. Several other short stories are included in Amuktamalyada in the course of the main story of Godadevi, the telugu name of Andal, which is used throghout the tome. Krishna Rayalu was also well-versed in Sanskrit, Tamil and Kannada. Jambavati Kalyanamu is his Sanskrit work. [12][13]. He strived for the welfare and the upliftment of Telugu people.
[edit] Religion and Culture
Krishna Deva Raya respected all sects of Hinduism, although he personally leaned in favour of Sri Vaishnavism. [14][15], as evident in his literary tomes, and lavished on the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple numerous objects of priceless value, ranging from diamond studded crowns to golden swords. Additionally, he is known to have commissioned the making of statutes of himself and his two wives at the temple complex. Krishna Deva Raya, was formally, initiated into the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya, by Panchamatha Bhanjanam Tathacharya, the Rajaguru, of those times.Article by U Vaidyanathan He also, equally, patronised Vyasatirtha, and other vedanta scholars of that time.[16] He patronised poets and scholars in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit.
[edit] References
Smith, Vincent, Oxford History of India, Fourth Edition, pgs. 306-307, and 312-313.
Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat, Concise history of Karnataka, 2001, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002).
Prof K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002)
[edit] Notes
^ Prof K.A.N. Sastri, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955, pp 250,258
^ Portuguese travellers Domingo Paes visited Vijayanagar when The Raya was about 30-35 years old and already a highly respected king. Nuniz has also left many records. Prof K.A.N. Sastri, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955. pp 251
^ http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/30/stories/2005123002710600.htm
^ Dr. S.U. Kamat, Concise history of Karnataka, pp 157-189
^ Prof K.A.N. Sastri, History of South India pp 355-366
^ Krishna Deva Raya considered the saint his Kula-devata and highly honored him. A Concise History of Karnataka pp 178, Dr. S.U. Kamath, [1] Haridasas of Karnataka, Madhusudana Rao CR, History of South India, pp 324, Prof. K.A.N. Sastri
^ A Concise History of Karnataka, Dr. S.U. Kamath, pp 157
^ Dr. S.U. Kamat, Concise history of Karnataka, pp 157-189, History of South India, pp 331-354, Prof. K.A.N. Sastri
^ Dr. S.U. Kamat, Concise history of Karnataka, pg.157-189
^ Prof K.A.N. Sastri, History of South India pg.239-280
^ Prof K.A.N. Sastri, History of South India pg.309-330
^ Amukutamalyada 1-13,15
^ Velcheru Narayana Rao, Coconut and Honey: Sanskrit and Telugu in Medieval Andhra Social Scientist, Vol. 23, No. 10/12. (Oct. - Dec., 1995), pp. 24-40. [2]
^ The Vaishnava influence, Vasudevan, Kamala [3]
^ Srivaisnavas and the Royal Rama Cult at Vijayanagara, Rao, Ajay K [4]
^ Haridasas of Karnataka, Narahari S. Pujar, Shrisha Rao and H.P.Raghunandan [5]
[edit] External links
WebPage by Dr. Jyothsna Kamat
The Golden Era of Telugu Literature from the Vepachedu Educational Foundation
(Krishnadevaraya's complex at Tirupati)
Statutes of Krishnadevaraya and his wives at Tirupati.
http://www.vijayanagaracoins.com/htm/krishna.htm (gold coins during his reign.)
Hampi - History and Tourism
A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): a contribution to the history of India (Translation of the "Chronica dos reis de Bisnaga" written by Domingos Paes and Fernão Nunes about 1520 and 1535, respectively, with a historical introduction by Robert Sewell).available freely at Project Gutenberg
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
Preceded byViranarasimha Raya
Vijayanagara empire1509 –1529
Succeeded byAchyuta Deva Raya
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishnadevaraya"
Categories: Vijayanagara Empire Indian monarchs Tuluva People from Karnataka History of Karnataka 1529 deaths
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Tuluva Krishna Deva Raya
King of Vijayanagara Empire
Reign
July 26, 1509 - 1529
Tulu
ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ
Kannada
ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ
Telugu
శ్రీ కృష్ణదేవరాయ
Titles
Mooru Rayaraganda, Andhra Bhoja ,Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana, Malla Rayer
Birthplace
Hampi, Karnataka
Died
1529
Predecessor
Viranarasimha Raya
Successor
Achyuta Deva Raya
Consort
Chinnambike, Thirumalambike
Dynasty
Tuluva Dynasty
Father
Narasa Nayaka
Mother
Nagala Devi
Vijayanagara Empire
Sangama Dynasty
Harihara Raya I
1336-1356
Bukka Raya I
1356-1377
Harihara Raya II
1377-1404
Virupaksha Raya
1404-1405
Bukka Raya II
1405-1406
Deva Raya I
1406-1422
Ramachandra Raya
1422
Vira Vijaya Bukka Raya
1422-1424
Deva Raya II
1424-1446
Mallikarjuna Raya
1446-1465
Virupaksha Raya II
1465-1485
Praudha Raya
1485
Saluva Dynasty
Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya
1485-1491
Thimma Bhupala
1491
Narasimha Raya II
1491-1505
Tuluva Dynasty
Tuluva Narasa Nayaka
1491-1503
Viranarasimha Raya
1503-1509
Krishna Deva Raya
1509-1529
Achyuta Deva Raya
1529-1542
Sadashiva Raya
1542-1570
Aravidu Dynasty
Aliya Rama Raya
1542-1565
Tirumala Deva Raya
1565-1572
Sriranga I
1572-1586
Venkata II
1586-1614
Sriranga II
1614-1614
Ramadeva
1617-1632
Venkata III
1632-1642
Sriranga III
1642-1646
Recently excavated Vishnu temple, Hampi
Tuluva Sri Krishna Deva Raya (Tulu: ತುಳುವ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ, Kannada: ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ, Telugu: శ్రీకృష్ణదేవరాయ)a.k.a.Krishna Raya (1509-1529 CE) was the famed Emperor of Vijayanagara empire. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by all Dravidians and especially the Tuluvas, Kannadigas and Telugus., one of the great emperors of India. Emperor Krishna Deva Raya also earned the titles Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana (ಕನ್ನಡರಾಜ್ಯರಮಾರಮಣ), Mooru Rayara Ganda (ಮೂರುರಾಯರಗಂಡ) (meaning King of three kings) and Andhra Bhoja (ఆంధ్రభోజ). Much of our information about his reign comes from the accounts of Portuguese travelers Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz. Krishna Deva Raya was assisted in administration by the very able prime minister Timmarusu, who was revered by the king as a father figure and was responsible for his corronation. Krishna Deva Raya was the son of Nagala Devi and Tuluva Narasa Nayaka[1] an army commander under Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, who later took control of the reign of the empire to prevent it from disintegration. The king's coronation took place on the birthday of Lord Krishna and his earliest inscription is from July 26, 1509 CE. He built a beautiful suburb near Vijayanagara called Nagalapura in memory of his mother.
Contents[hide]
1 Personality
2 Military Campaigns and Foreign Relations
2.1 Success in Deccan
2.2 War with Feudatories
2.3 War with Kalinga
2.4 Final conflict
3 Internal Affairs
4 Art and Literature
4.1 Kannada Literature
4.2 Tamil Literature
4.3 Sanskrit Literature
4.4 Telugu Literature
4.5 Amuktamalyada
5 Religion and Culture
6 References
7 Notes
8 External links
//
[edit] Personality
Most of the information about Krishna Deva Raya is obtained from inscriptions and from the accounts of foreign travellers. [2]. The king was of medium height, had a cheerful disposition, and was known to be respectful to foreign visitors, ruthless in maintaining the law, and prone to fits of anger. He maintained himself to a high level of physical fitness through daily exercises. Travelogues indicate that king was not only an able administrator, but also an excellent army general, leading from the front in battle and even attending to the wounded.
[edit] Military Campaigns and Foreign Relations
The rule of Krishna Deva Raya was a glorious chapter in Vijayanagar history when its armies were successful everywhere. It was a golden age. On occasions, the king was known to change battle plans abruptly and turn a losing battle into victory. The first decade of his rule was one of long sieges, bloody conquests and victories. His main enemies were the Gajapatis of Orissa who had been at constant conflict since the rule of Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, The Bahamani Sultans, though divided into five small kingdoms were still a constant threat, the Portuguese were a rising maritime power and hence controlled much of the sea trade. The feudatory chiefs of Ummatur, Reddys of Kondavidu and Velamas of Bhuvanagiri had time and again rebelled against Vijayanagar authority.
[edit] Success in Deccan
The annual affair of the raid and plunder of Vijayanagar towns and villages by the Deccan sultans came to an end during the Raya's rule. In 1509. Krishnadevaraya's armies clashed with the Sultan of Bijapur at Diwani and the sultan Mahmud was severely injured and defeated. Yusuf Adil Khan was killed and Kovilkonda was annexed. Taking advantage of the victory and disunity of the Bahamani Sultans, the Raya invaded Bidar, Gulbarga and Bijapur and earned the title "establisher of the Yavana kingdom" when he released Sultan Mahmud and made him de-facto ruler.
[edit] War with Feudatories
He subdued local rulers, Reddys of Kondavidu and Velamas of Bhuvanagiri, and seized lands up to the Krishna river. Ganga Raja, the Ummatur chief fought Krishna Deva Raya on the banks of the Kaveri and was defeated. The chief later drowned in the Kaveri in 1512. The region was made a part of the Srirangapatna province. In 1516-1517, he pushed beyond the Godavari river.
[edit] War with Kalinga
He defeated the Gajapatis of Orissa who were in occupation of northern Andhra in five campaigns. The success at Ummatur provided the necessary impetus to carry his campaign into to Telangana region which was in control of Gajapati Prathapa Rudra. The Vijayanagar army laid siege to Udayagiri fort in 1512. The campaign lasted for a year before the Gajapati army was routed. Krishna Deva Raya offered prayers at Tirupati thereafter along with his wives Tirumala Devi and Chinna Devi. His kulaguru Vyasatirtha wrote many songs in praise of the King after this victory. The Gajapati army was then met at Kondavidu where after a siege of a few months, Krishna Deva Raya along with Saluva Timmarasa inflicted another defeat on Prathapa Rudra. Saluva Timmarasa took over as governor of Kondavidu thereafter. The Vijayanagar army then accosted the Gajapati army at Kondapalli area and laid another siege. This was the final defeat for the Gajapathi king who offered his daughter Jaganmohini in marriage to Krishna Deva Raya. She became his third queen.
He established friendly relations with the Portuguese, who set up the Portuguese Dominion of India in Goa in 1510. The Emperor obtained guns and Arabian horses from the Portuguese merchants. He also utilized Portuguese expertise in improving water supply to Vijayanagara City.
[edit] Final conflict
The complicated alliances of the empire and the five Deccan sultanates meant that he was continually at war; in one of these campaigns, he defeated Golconda and captured its commander Madurul-Mulk, crushed Bijapur and its sultan Ismail Adil Shah and restored Bahmani sultanate to Muhammad Shah.
The highlight of his conquests occurred on May 19, 1520 where he secured the fortress of Raichur from Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur after a difficult siege during which 16,000 Vijaynagar soldiers were killed. The exploits of the chief military commander, Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu, during the battle of Raichur were suitably rewarded by the grateful emperor. During the campaign against Raichur, it is said that 703,000 foot soldiers, 32,600 cavalry and 551 elephants were used (See The battle of Raichur). Finally, in his last battle, he razed to the ground the fortress of Gulburga, the early capital of the Bahmani sultanate. His empire extended over the whole of South India.
In 1524 he made his son Tirumalai Raya the Yuvaraja though the crown prince did not survive for long. He was poisoned to death. Suspecting the involvement of Saluva Timmarasa, Krishna Deva Raya had his trusted commander and adviser blinded.
[edit] Internal Affairs
Paes summarises the king's attitude to matters of law and order by the sentence, "The king maintains the law by killing." Offences against property (designed to maintain stability) and for murder ranged from cutting of a foot and hand for theft and beheading for murder (except for those occurring as a result of duel). Paes could not estimate the size of Vijaynagar as his view was obscured by the hills but estimated the city to be at least as large as Rome. Furthermore, he considered Vijaynagar to be "the best provided city in the world" with a population of not less than a half a million.
The empire was divided into a number of provinces often under members of the royal family and into further subdivisions. The official languages of the court were Kannada and Telugu .
Sewe I remarks that Krishna Deva Raya was not only a monarch de-jure, but he was also a de-facto sovereign with extensive powers and strong personal influence. With the active cooperation of Saluva Thimmarasa he administered the Kingdom well, maintained peace in the land and increased the prosperity of the people.
The administration of the empire was carried on along the lines indicated in his Amuktamalyada. He was the opinion that the King should always rule with an eye towards Dharma. His concern for the welfare of the people is amply proved by his extensive annual tours all over the empire, during which he studied everything personally and tried to redress the grievances of the people and to punish the evil doers.
The Portuguese Chronicler Domingo Paes praises Krishna Deva Raya as, “the most feared and perfect King… a great ruler and a man of much justice”. Though a follower of Vaishnavism he showed respect all sects and petty religious prejudices never influenced him either in granting gifts or in his choice of companions and officers. According to Barbosa, “The King allows such freedom that every man may come and go live according to his own creed, without suffering any annoyance”.
[edit] Art and Literature
Vitthala temple with musical pillars, Hoysala style multigonal base Hampi
The rule of Krishna Deva Raya was an age of prolific literature in many languages, although it is also known as a golden age of Telugu literature. Many Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada and Tamil poets enjoyed the patronage of the emperor. Emperor Krishna Deva Raya was fluent in many languages including his mother tongue Tulu[3].
[edit] Kannada Literature
He patronised Kannada poets Mallanarya who wrote Veera-saivamrita, Bhava-chinta-ratna and Satyendra Chola-kathe, Chatu Vittal-anatha who wrote Bhaga-vatha, Timmanna Kavi who wrote a eulogy of his king in Krishna Raya Bharata[4][5]. Vyasatirtha, the great saint from Mysore belonging to the Madhwa order of Udupi was his Rajguru who wrote many songs in praise of his devoted king[6]. Krishna Deva Rayana Dinachari in Kannada is a recently discovered work[7]. The record highlights the contemporary society during Krishna Deva Raya's time in his personal diary. However it is not yet clear if the record was written by the king himself.
[edit] Tamil Literature
Krishna Deva Raya patronised Tamil poet Haridasa [8].
[edit] Sanskrit Literature
In Sanskrit, Vyasatirtha wrote Bhedo-jjivana, Tat-parya-chandrika, Nyaya-mrita (a work directed against Advaita philosophy) and Tarka-tandava. Krishna Deva Raya himself an accomplished scholar wrote Madalasa Charita, Satyavadu Parinaya and Rasamanjari and Jambavati Kalyana[9][10][11].
[edit] Telugu Literature
Krishna Deva Rayalu’s ("Desa bhashalandu telugu Lessa") reign was the golden age of Telugu literature. Eight poets known as Astadiggajalu (eight elephants in the eight cardinal points such as North, South etc.) were part of his court (known as Bhuvana-vijayamu). According to the Vaishnavite religion there are eight elephants in eight corners in space and hold the earth in its place. Similarly these eight poets were the eight pillars of his literary assembly. Who constituted Ashtadiggajas is not certain. But, it is popularly believed to include these : Allasani Peddana, Nandi Thimmana, Madayyagari Mallana, Dhurjati, Ayyala-raju Rama-Bhadrudu, Pingali Surana, Rama-raj-bhushanudu and Tenali Rama Krishna.
Among these eight poets Allasani Peddana is considered to be the greatest and is given the title of Andhra Kavita Pitamaha (the father of Telugu poetry). Manu-charitramu is his popular prabhanda work. Nandi Timmana wrote Pari-jata-apaharan-amu. Madayya-gari Mallana wrote Raja-sekhara Charitramu. Dhurjati wrote Kalahasti Mahatyamu and Ayyal-raju Rama-bhadrudu wrote Rama-abhyuday-amu. Pingali Surana wrote the still remarkable Raghava-pandaveey-amu, a dual work with double meaning built into the text, describing both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Battumurty alias Rama-raja-bhushanudu wrote Kavya-lankara-sangrahamu, Vasu-charitramu, and Haris-chandrana-lopakhyanamu. Among these works the last one is a dual work which tells simultaneously the story of King Harishchandra and Nala and Damayanti. Tenali Ramakrishna first wrote Udbhataradhya Charitramu, a Shaivite work and later wrote Vaishnava devotional texts Pandu-ranga Mahatmyamu, and Ghati-kachala Mahatmyamu. The period of the Empire is known as “Prabandha Period,” because of the quality of the prabandha literature produced during this time. Tenali Rama remains one of the most popular folk figures in India today, a quick-witted courtier ready even to outwit the all-powerful emperor.
[edit] Amuktamalyada
Sri Krishna Deva Raya wrote the Amuktamalyada in Telugu, in which he beautifully describes the pangs of separation suffered by Andal (one of the twelve bhakti era alwars) for her lover Lord Vishnu. He describes Andal’s physical beauty in thirty verses; using descriptions of the spring and the monsoon as metaphors. As elsewhere in Indian poetry - see Sringara - the sensual pleasure of union extends beyond the physical level and becomes a path to, and a metaphor for, spirituality and ultimate union with the divine.
One of the main characters is Periyalwar, the father of Andal. Lord Vishnu commands Periyalwar to teach a king of the Pandya dynasty the path of knowledge to moksha. Amuktamalyada is also known by the name Vishnu-chitteeyam, a reference to Vishnu-chittudu, the telugu name of Periyalwar. Several other short stories are included in Amuktamalyada in the course of the main story of Godadevi, the telugu name of Andal, which is used throghout the tome. Krishna Rayalu was also well-versed in Sanskrit, Tamil and Kannada. Jambavati Kalyanamu is his Sanskrit work. [12][13]. He strived for the welfare and the upliftment of Telugu people.
[edit] Religion and Culture
Krishna Deva Raya respected all sects of Hinduism, although he personally leaned in favour of Sri Vaishnavism. [14][15], as evident in his literary tomes, and lavished on the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple numerous objects of priceless value, ranging from diamond studded crowns to golden swords. Additionally, he is known to have commissioned the making of statutes of himself and his two wives at the temple complex. Krishna Deva Raya, was formally, initiated into the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya, by Panchamatha Bhanjanam Tathacharya, the Rajaguru, of those times.Article by U Vaidyanathan He also, equally, patronised Vyasatirtha, and other vedanta scholars of that time.[16] He patronised poets and scholars in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit.
[edit] References
Smith, Vincent, Oxford History of India, Fourth Edition, pgs. 306-307, and 312-313.
Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat, Concise history of Karnataka, 2001, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002).
Prof K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002)
[edit] Notes
^ Prof K.A.N. Sastri, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955, pp 250,258
^ Portuguese travellers Domingo Paes visited Vijayanagar when The Raya was about 30-35 years old and already a highly respected king. Nuniz has also left many records. Prof K.A.N. Sastri, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955. pp 251
^ http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/30/stories/2005123002710600.htm
^ Dr. S.U. Kamat, Concise history of Karnataka, pp 157-189
^ Prof K.A.N. Sastri, History of South India pp 355-366
^ Krishna Deva Raya considered the saint his Kula-devata and highly honored him. A Concise History of Karnataka pp 178, Dr. S.U. Kamath, [1] Haridasas of Karnataka, Madhusudana Rao CR, History of South India, pp 324, Prof. K.A.N. Sastri
^ A Concise History of Karnataka, Dr. S.U. Kamath, pp 157
^ Dr. S.U. Kamat, Concise history of Karnataka, pp 157-189, History of South India, pp 331-354, Prof. K.A.N. Sastri
^ Dr. S.U. Kamat, Concise history of Karnataka, pg.157-189
^ Prof K.A.N. Sastri, History of South India pg.239-280
^ Prof K.A.N. Sastri, History of South India pg.309-330
^ Amukutamalyada 1-13,15
^ Velcheru Narayana Rao, Coconut and Honey: Sanskrit and Telugu in Medieval Andhra Social Scientist, Vol. 23, No. 10/12. (Oct. - Dec., 1995), pp. 24-40. [2]
^ The Vaishnava influence, Vasudevan, Kamala [3]
^ Srivaisnavas and the Royal Rama Cult at Vijayanagara, Rao, Ajay K [4]
^ Haridasas of Karnataka, Narahari S. Pujar, Shrisha Rao and H.P.Raghunandan [5]
[edit] External links
WebPage by Dr. Jyothsna Kamat
The Golden Era of Telugu Literature from the Vepachedu Educational Foundation
(Krishnadevaraya's complex at Tirupati)
Statutes of Krishnadevaraya and his wives at Tirupati.
http://www.vijayanagaracoins.com/htm/krishna.htm (gold coins during his reign.)
Hampi - History and Tourism
A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): a contribution to the history of India (Translation of the "Chronica dos reis de Bisnaga" written by Domingos Paes and Fernão Nunes about 1520 and 1535, respectively, with a historical introduction by Robert Sewell).available freely at Project Gutenberg
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
Preceded byViranarasimha Raya
Vijayanagara empire1509 –1529
Succeeded byAchyuta Deva Raya
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishnadevaraya"
Categories: Vijayanagara Empire Indian monarchs Tuluva People from Karnataka History of Karnataka 1529 deaths
Hidden categories: Articles containing Kannada language text Articles containing Telugu language text
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