PDF

VIJAYANAGARA EMPIRE (1336–1646)

Founding:

  • Founded by Harihara I and Bukka I of the Sangama dynasty in 1336, under guidance of Vidyaranya, a saint from Sringeri Math.
  • Purpose: Defend Hindu dharma and counter Muslim invasions in the Deccan.
  • Capital: Hampi, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Dynasties of Vijayanagara:

  1. Sangama (1336–1485) – Founders
  2. Saluva (1485–1505) – Usurped power due to decline
  3. Tuluva (1505–1570) – Most powerful phase (Krishnadeva Raya)
  4. Aravidu (1570–1646) – Decline and end

Notable Ruler: Krishnadeva Raya (1509–1529)

  • Tuluva dynasty’s greatest king.
  • Defeated Bahmanis, Gajapatis of Odisha, and Portuguese at Goa.
  • Patron of art and literature; wrote Amuktamalyada in Telugu.
  • Empire extended from the Krishna River to Kanyakumari.
  • Promoted irrigation, trade, and religious tolerance.

Decline:

  • Battle of Talikota (1565): Combined Deccan Sultanates defeated Vijayanagara.
  • Hampi was ransacked and never regained prominence.
  • Aravidu dynasty continued nominal rule from Penukonda and Chandragiri until 1646.

BAHMANI SULTANATE (1347–1527)

Founding:

  • Founded by Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah in 1347, capital at Gulbarga (later Bidar).
  • First independent Muslim kingdom in South India.

Administration:

  • Divided into Tarafs (provinces).
  • Promoted Persian culture.
  • Patronized architecture (e.g., Mahmud Gawan Madrasa in Bidar).

Important Rulers:

  • Firuz Shah Bahmani: Patron of arts, literature, and learning.
  • Mahmud Gawan: Persian prime minister; reformed administration and education.

Decline:

  • Court factions: Afaqis (foreigners) vs Deccanis (Indian Muslims).
  • Execution of Mahmud Gawan weakened the state.
  • Fragmented into five Deccan Sultanates by 1527.

DECCAN SULTANATES (Bijapur, Golkonda, Bidar, Berar, Ahmadnagar)

1. Bijapur (1490–1686)

  • Founded by Yusuf Adil Shah, a Shia ruler.
  • Patron of Persian art and Indo-Islamic architecture.
  • Famous monument: Gol Gumbaz (largest dome in India).
  • Annexed by Aurangzeb in 1686.

2. Golkonda (1518–1687)

  • Founded by Qutb Shahi dynasty.
  • Capital: Hyderabad.
  • Known for diamond trade (Koh-i-Noor, Hope diamond).
  • Architecture: Charminar, Qutb Shahi tombs.
  • Conquered by Aurangzeb in 1687.

3. Ahmadnagar (1490–1636)

  • Founded by Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah I.
  • Famous ruler: Chand Bibi, defended against Mughals.
  • Merged into Mughal Empire in 1636 under Shah Jahan.

4. Berar (1490–1574)

  • Ruled by Imad Shahi dynasty.
  • Shortest-lived of the five.
  • Annexed by Ahmadnagar and later by the Mughals.

5. Bidar (1528–1619)

  • Ruled by Barid Shahi dynasty.
  • Former Bahmani capital.
  • Later annexed by Bijapur.

Common Features:

  • Patronage of Persian and local art.
  • Rivalries among them (but briefly united against Vijayanagara at Talikota).
  • All eventually absorbed into the Mughal Empire or Asaf Jahi rule (Hyderabad Nizam).

EASTERN GANGAS (5th century – 15th century CE)

Geography:

  • Ruled Kalinga (modern-day Odisha).
  • Capital: Kalinganagara (Mukhalingam) and later Cuttack.

Notable Kings:

  • Anantavarman Chodaganga (11th century): Constructed Jagannath Temple at Puri.
  • Combined Hindu Shaivite and Vaishnavite traditions.

Achievements:

  • Strong naval power; traded with Southeast Asia.
  • Art & architecture (Kalinga style).

Decline:

  • Power declined by 15th century due to pressure from Gajapatis and Muslim rulers of Bengal.

SURYAVAMSHI GAJAPATIS (15th–16th centuries)

Founding:

  • Founded by Kapilendra Deva after decline of Eastern Gangas (~1435).
  • Claimed descent from Surya (Sun) dynasty.

Expansion:

  • At peak, controlled Odisha, Andhra coast, parts of Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
  • Capital: Cuttack.

Notable Ruler:

  • Kapilendra Deva and his son Purushottama Deva.
  • Faced conflict with Vijayanagara and Bahmani Sultanate.

Decline:

  • Declined in early 16th century.
  • Subdued by Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagara and later the Qutb Shahis of Golkonda.

Summary Points for Revision:

  • Vijayanagara: Hindu bulwark in South; rich in culture and architecture.
  • Bahmani: First Deccan Islamic kingdom; led to 5 Deccan Sultanates.
  • Deccan Sultanates: Bijapur & Golkonda were strongest; all absorbed by Mughals.
  • Eastern Gangas: Temple builders; precursor to Gajapatis.
  • Gajapatis: Regional Hindu power in Odisha; rivals of Vijayanagara and Bahmanis.

Published by Pragyanxetu

One Earth. One Future

Leave a Comment or Write your Answer here