Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms – Detailed Summary
Book: Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science
Term: Term 2
Subject: History
Unit: Unit 1
Lesson Name: Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms
About the Lesson
“Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms” is an important History lesson in the Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science book. This lesson explains the rise of two powerful kingdoms in South India and the Deccan region during the medieval period.
The Vijayanagar Empire was founded by Harihara and Bukka in southern Karnataka. The Bahmani Kingdom was founded by Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah. Both kingdoms played an important role in politics, administration, military organisation, economy, trade, literature, art, architecture, and education.
Learning Objectives
- To understand the circumstances that led to the rise of Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms.
- To learn about the foundation and expansion of the Vijayanagar Empire.
- To know the four dynasties of the Vijayanagar Empire.
- To understand the achievements of Devaraya II and Krishnadevaraya.
- To learn about the Battle of Talikota and the decline of Vijayanagar.
- To understand Vijayanagar administration, economy, trade, literature, art, and architecture.
- To learn about the foundation and consolidation of the Bahmani Kingdom.
- To understand the achievements of Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah, Muhammad Shah I, Sultan Firoz, and Mahmud Gawan.
- To know the contribution of Bahmani rulers to architecture and education.
Detailed Summary of the Lesson
1. Introduction
In the fourteenth century, the political condition of India gave opportunities for the rise of new kingdoms in South India and the Deccan region.
The harsh and unstable policies of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq led to revolts and the rise of many independent kingdoms. Among them, Vijayanagar and Bahmani became two great powers.
2. Rise of Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms
The Vijayanagar Empire rose in southern Karnataka. The Bahmani Kingdom rose in the Deccan region.
These two kingdoms often fought with each other, especially for the fertile regions between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers and the Krishna-Godavari delta.
3. Meaning of Vijayanagara
Vijayanagara means “City of Victory.”
It became one of the most powerful and prosperous kingdoms of South India. The site of Vijayanagar city is now called Hampi.
4. Foundation of Vijayanagar Empire
The Vijayanagar Empire was founded in 1336 CE by two brothers, Harihara and Bukka.
According to tradition, Vidyaranya, the head of the Saivite Sringeri mutt, guided Harihara and Bukka to establish this kingdom.
5. Vidyaranya
Vidyaranya was a spiritual teacher and head of the Sringeri mutt.
He is believed to have advised Harihara and Bukka to leave the service of the Tughluqs and establish a new kingdom in South India.
6. Four Dynasties of Vijayanagar
The Vijayanagar Empire was ruled by four dynasties:
- Sangama Dynasty – 1336 to 1485 CE
- Saluva Dynasty – 1485 to 1505 CE
- Tuluva Dynasty – 1505 to 1570 CE
- Aravidu Dynasty – 1570 to 1646 CE
7. Sangama Dynasty
The Sangama dynasty was the first dynasty of the Vijayanagar Empire. Harihara and Bukka belonged to this dynasty.
The early rulers of the Sangama dynasty protected the new kingdom from the Bahmani Sultanate and other enemies.
8. Kumara Kampana
Kumara Kampana was the son of Bukka I.
He ended the Sultanate in Madurai and established Vijayanagar authority there. His conquest of Madurai is described in the poem Madura Vijayam, composed by his wife Gangadevi.
9. Harihara II
Harihara II was an important ruler of the Sangama dynasty.
His major achievement was securing Belgaum and Goa from the Bahmani kingdom.
10. Devaraya I
Devaraya I was another ruler of the Sangama dynasty.
He defeated the Gajapati kings of Odisha and strengthened the empire.
11. Devaraya II
Devaraya II was the greatest ruler of the Sangama dynasty.
He began the practice of recruiting Muslim fighters into his army. They trained Vijayanagar soldiers in new methods of warfare.
12. End of Sangama Dynasty
After Devaraya II, the Vijayanagar Empire faced a crisis. The last ruler of the Sangama dynasty was Virupaksha Raya II.
Saluva Narasimha, an able commander, murdered Virupaksha Raya II and declared himself emperor. This ended the Sangama dynasty.
13. Saluva Dynasty
The Saluva dynasty was founded by Saluva Narasimha.
But this dynasty did not last long. After the death of Saluva Narasimha, his able general Narasa Nayaka seized power.
14. Tuluva Dynasty
Narasa Nayaka’s rise led to the beginning of the Tuluva dynasty.
The most famous ruler of the Tuluva dynasty was Krishnadevaraya.
15. Krishnadevaraya
Krishnadevaraya was the most illustrious ruler of the Tuluva dynasty. He ruled for about 20 years.
He was a great warrior, administrator, builder, patron of literature, and supporter of art and architecture.
16. Achievements of Krishnadevaraya
- He controlled the independent chieftains in the Tungabhadra river basin.
- He restored the Bahmani Sultan Mahmud Shah to the throne.
- He fought against Prataparudra, the ruler of Odisha.
- He defeated the Sultan of Golconda with the help of Portuguese gunners.
- He captured Raichur from the ruler of Bijapur.
- He built strong forts and maintained a large army.
- He encouraged trade with Portuguese and Arabian traders.
17. Krishnadevaraya as a Great Builder
Krishnadevaraya built huge irrigation tanks and reservoirs for harvesting rainwater.
He built famous temples such as Krishnaswamy Temple, Hazara Ramaswamy Temple, and Vithalaswamy Temple at Hampi.
18. Rayagopuram
Krishnadevaraya used the wealth gained from wars to support temple construction.
He gave wealth to major temples in South India for building temple gateways called Rayagopuram in his honour.
19. Krishnadevaraya as Patron of Literature
Krishnadevaraya was a great patron of literature and art.
Eight eminent scholars known as Astadiggajas adorned his court. Alasani Peddana was the greatest among them. Tenali Ramakrishna was another famous scholar.
20. Works of Krishnadevaraya
Krishnadevaraya wrote Amuktamalyada, an epic in Telugu.
He also wrote a Sanskrit drama called Jambavati Kalyanam.
21. Tenali Ramakrishna
Tenali Ramakrishna was an important scholar in Krishnadevaraya’s court.
He authored Pandurangamahatyam.
22. Battle of Talikota
The Battle of Talikota was fought in 1565 CE.
It was fought between the Vijayanagar Empire and the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates. It is also known as the Battle of Rakasa Tangadi.
23. Decline of Vijayanagar
After Krishnadevaraya, the empire became weak. Sadashiva Raya became the king, but Rama Raya acted as the real ruler.
The Deccan Sultanates formed a league against Vijayanagar. In 1565, Vijayanagar was defeated at Talikota. Hampi was destroyed, and the glory of Vijayanagar came to an end.
24. Aravidu Dynasty
After the Battle of Talikota, Rama Raya was killed. His brother Tirumaladeva Raya escaped with Sadashiva Raya and shifted the capital.
Tirumaladeva Raya started the Aravidu dynasty. Penukonda became the capital of the Aravidu dynasty.
25. Hampi
Hampi is the present name of the site of Vijayanagar city.
It is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river in eastern Karnataka. Hampi is now a famous heritage site.
26. Vijayanagar Administration
The Vijayanagar Empire had a well-organised administrative system.
Kingship was hereditary and based on the principle of primogeniture. This means the right of succession usually belonged to the eldest child.
27. Structure of Governance
The Vijayanagar Empire was divided into different administrative units:
- Mandalam – Province
- Nadu – District
- Sthala – Taluk
- Grama – Village
Each province was administered by a governor called Mandalesvara.
28. Village Administration
The village was the lowest unit of administration.
Each village had a Grama Sabha. The village headman called Gauda looked after village affairs.
29. Military Organisation
The Vijayanagar army consisted of infantry, cavalry, and elephant corps.
The army was modernised with firearms. The use of both firearms and cavalry made the Vijayanagar army one of the feared armies in India.
30. Economic Condition of Vijayanagar
The Vijayanagar Empire was one of the richest states of its time.
Foreign travellers gave glowing accounts of its wealth and splendour. Vijayanagar emperors issued a large number of gold coins called Varahas.
31. Agriculture
Agriculture was encouraged by the Vijayanagar rulers.
They followed a wise irrigation policy. Tanks, reservoirs, and channels were built to supply water to different parts of the empire.
32. Cottage Industries
Agricultural production was supported by cottage industries.
Important cottage industries included textile, mining, and metallurgy. Crafts and industries were regulated by guilds.
33. Trade
Inland, coastal, and overseas trade flourished during the Vijayanagar period.
Vijayanagar traded with Persia, South Africa, Portugal, Arabia, China, Southeast Asia, and Sri Lanka.
34. Trade Goods
Important trade goods included silks from China, spices from the Malabar region, and precious stones from Burma, now Myanmar.
Trade increased the income of the empire through customs.
35. Vijayanagar Literature
Vijayanagar rulers supported both religious and secular literature.
Books were written in Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, and Tamil. Scholars translated Sanskrit and Prakrit works into Telugu.
36. Vijayanagar Architecture
The temple-building activity of the Vijayanagar rulers produced a new style called the Vijayanagara style.
Important features of this style were numerous pillars, beautifully carved piers, mandapams, raised platforms, and marriage halls.
37. Horse Pillars
Horse was the most common animal depicted on the pillars of Vijayanagara style.
This is an important one-mark exam point.
38. Bahmani Kingdom
The Bahmani Kingdom was an important Muslim kingdom in the Deccan region.
It emerged during the period of political weakness under Muhammad-bin-Tughluq.
39. Foundation of Bahmani Kingdom
Ala-ud-din Hasan, also known as Hasan Gangu, founded the Bahmani Kingdom in 1347 CE.
He seized Daulatabad and declared himself Sultan under the title Bahman Shah.
40. Capital of Bahmani Kingdom
Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah shifted his capital to Gulbarga.
Later, in 1429 CE, the capital was shifted to Bidar.
41. Bahmani Rulers
The Bahmani Kingdom was ruled by 18 monarchs.
It lasted for nearly 180 years. Later, it broke up into five independent Deccan Sultanates.
42. Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah
Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah ruled from 1347 CE to 1358 CE.
He divided the Bahmani Kingdom into four territorial divisions called Tarafs. A governor was appointed for each province.
43. Muhammad Shah I
Muhammad Shah I succeeded Bahman Shah. He ruled from 1358 CE to 1375 CE.
He fought wars with Vijayanagar and attacked Warangal in 1363 CE. This attack brought him much wealth, including the fortress of Golconda and the famous Turquoise Throne.
44. Turquoise Throne
Turquoise is a semi-precious stone of sky-blue colour.
The Turquoise Throne became the throne of the Bahmani kings after Muhammad Shah I captured it from Warangal.
45. Muhammad Shah I as a Patron of Learning
Muhammad Shah I was a patron of learning.
He opened institutions to educate the children of noble families in the art of soldiery.
46. Sultan Firoz
Sultan Firoz was the eighth Bahmani king.
He was a linguist and a poet. This is an important textbook-back one-mark point.
47. Mahmud Gawan
Mahmud Gawan was a Persian by birth. He was well-versed in Islamic theory, Persian, and Mathematics.
He was also a poet and prose writer. He served with great distinction as the Prime Minister under Muhammad III.
48. Military Work of Mahmud Gawan
Mahmud Gawan was famous for military campaigns and administrative reforms.
He used Persian chemists to teach the Bahmani army the preparation and use of gunpowder.
49. Administrative Reforms of Mahmud Gawan
- He divided the existing four provinces into eight provinces.
- He reduced the powers of provincial governors.
- He placed some districts directly under central administration.
- He allowed governors to occupy only one fort in their territory.
- He made royal officer
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