The Islamic hatred for anything that reeks of Hinduism is reflected in the way Vijayanagar Empire was plundered for months after the event took place.  Islam just does not stand for political victory or loss.  It is something deeper.  Islam is a real disease.  Islam makes a man inhuman to such an extent that man becomes beast in the pursuit of an imaginary god in an imaginary heaven.  The old King Ramaraya was not only killed.  His head was taken in a procession.  It is just a sample of Islamic intolerance.  Hindus should never forget the lessons of Vijayanagar.

During the 13-14^th century, Hindu civilization was under the grave threat of extinction following Islamic onslaught in South India.  This was the time when Vidyaranya along with his brother Sayana were instrumental in inspiring Harihara-Bukka brothers leading to the foundation of Vijayanagara Empire in the year 1336.

 (Bhagnascha Devapratimasamastha)

Divine idols were being attacked.  Brahmins were being prevented from worshipping and money lenders were harassed.

 (Dinadinakutumbaha Krishna Vala Nashamapanna)

The farmer’s yields were stolen and the lower section of the society was left to the mercy of fate.

 (Santhepe Vanamiva Davavahnajustham)

The land devoid of protectors resembled a forest stuck by fire.

 Harihara-Bukka brothers — inspired by Vidyaranya – were able to steer south India to the heights of prosperity.

 Several poets have eulogized Krishnadevaraya and Vijayanagar’s prosperity.  The Persian traveler Abdul Razak (1442) described Vijayanagar’s prosperity as an “unprecedented sight in the history of civilization”.

 Inspiration forever & Ever

 Krishnadevaraya is synonymous with the pomp and splendor of Hampi.  South India bursts with joy at the very mention of his name.  It symbolizes Hindu pride. His rule not only ensured a secure Hindu State but also led to the encouragement of art, literature and architecture.

 Krishnadevaraya was coronated in the year 15009 and it is exactly 500 years since the momentous occasion.

 “On Shalivahana Shaka 1430 (1509 AD) Magha Shukla 14, the revered Maharaja, Rajaparameshwara Shri virapratap, Shri Vira Krishnaraya Maharaja was coronated” – thus reads an epigraph at the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi.

 The way Krishnadevaraya established a Hindu kingdom with his courage, dharmic outlook and encouragement to culture, litterateur and art is unprecedented.  With Vijayanagar as his Capital, he emerged as an Emperor in South India.  He ruled for 21 years from1509 to 1530.  There are very few Kings who managed to achieve all-round development for the state.  Krishnadevaraya was not just an Emperor – expert in domination.  He was also soft-hearted and a poet-extraordinaire himself.

 His Empire extended from Nellore to Udayagiri, from Kanyakumari in South to Kalinga in East and Goa in West.  His name is counted among the nation’s great kings like Chandragupta, Ashoka, Harsha and Shivaji.

 Even before he turned 20, Krishnadevaraya was destined to go on his Empire extension.

 It was a time when the Hindu empire faced several problems. There was a dearth of efficient Ministers.  The landlords were forever in bickering. In such a backdrop, Vijayanagar was the only hope for saving Hindu culture and Krishnadevaraya held forth and gave a spectacular result of the Hindu vision in action.

 As per his own statements, Krisnadevaraya was from the Yadava dynasty.

 Influential personality:

 During his early years, Krishnadevaraya might not have realized that he was going to be a powerful King for he spent his early childhood with Dharmacharyas, scholars and artists.  He was an expert in playing Vina besides being an accomplished poet.  Destiny willed such an artist to be at the helm of a Hindu empire.

 For several reasons, Krishnadevaraya’s forays into extending his empire was a necessity.  Several of the samanths (junior Kings) were ambitious and tried to be independent at the cost of Hindu sovereignty.  Such a divisive outlook would have spelt doom with the Portugese missionaries and Islamic jehadis keeping a predatory watch.  Sultan Adil Shah and Kalinga Kings were forever conspiring to swallow Vijayanagar.

 During such a time, Krishnadevaraya stood like a colossus and kept the foreign invaders at bay.

 Krishnadevaraya had testing times for him as his father Narasanayak and step-brother Vira Narasimha were not effective in their rule.  In fact, many of the sub-kings were threatening to destroy the sovereignty of the Empire.  However, Krishnadevaraya with his deft administrative skills and courage put all these inner dangers at bay.

 During his childhood, krishnadevaraya never missed his regular exercises.  Though not of great height, he was not short either.  With tanned skin and shiny eyes, he was prominent with shining eyes and broad shoulders.  He never missed his daily dose of wrestling, fencing, garadi, horseriding.

 His coronation probably took place on July 22, 1509 along with his brother Vira Narasimha. Soon after his take-over as the King, Krishnadevaraya made it a point to improve his relationship with the Kings in his region.  It was his attempts at synergy to put the foreign invaders at bay.  He also achieved a certain level of harmonious relationship with the Portugese and prevented a possible tie-up between the Portugese and Muslims.  By extending his credibility, he managed to extend his Kingdom as well as subdue his enemies.  He also liberated Penukonda and several little kings in the region and set his eyes on controlling the real powerful enemies of the State.

 The Victory Campaign

 Raichur, Gulbarga, Bidar and Bijapur were under Muslim domination. Besides this, the Orissa King Pratap Gajapathi who was earlier a part of the Vijayanagar Empire was now trying to distance himself.  Even the Kalinga King Raja Mahendra was threatening to run the Empire down.

 It must be mentioned that War was a terrible phenomenon – both in terms of human life and finance.  Besides, giving leadership to the State and the soldiers, the King had to keep the enemies at bay.  Besides, the wars were sapping the vitality of the State. The wars were indefinite and one never knew how long it would last once it starts.  Thousands of soldiers, horses and elephants had to be maintained. Arms and ammunitions had to be regularly filled.  Rations for the army and stocks of the state were constantly challenged.  Plus, there was a looming danger of the enemy attacking any time.

 Even controlling a subdued state was no easy task.  Things were not as they were today and maintaining the state was a real pain in the neck.  Even today, war is totally uneconomical and saps the vitality of the nation.  The situation then was greatly unstable.

 Krishnadevaraya had to wage war thousands of miles outside his capital. However, he was able to do this and bring a large part of South India under his control within four years.  He stands credited for establishing a Hindu empire during those uncertain times when Christian and Muslim warriors were baying for Hindu blood.

 Stunning decisions:

 After annexing the Udayagiri fort from the Kalingas, Krishnadevaraya’s series of victory began.  Following war extending over one and half years, Krishnadevaraya’s abilities and art of warfare was devastatingly visible.  During the next two attacks, he annexed Kandakuru and Kondavidu forts.  In the third attack, the Kalinga regional capital Kondapalli came in his hand.  In four years, he achieved triple success.

 Howver, he did not eliminate Gajapati Raja – the Kalinga King.  He stuck an alliance with him and restored his empire to him.  This was done in the interest of Hindu society.  He didn’t want to strengthen the foreign invaders by making enmity with our own folks.

 He also married Pratap Rudra Gajapati’s daughter to put an end to the possibility of enemity.

 “So gallant and perfect he is in all things: Portugese chronicler Dominic Paes.

 THE STORY OF ABUNDANCE

 Victorious in war, Vijayanagar’s fortune increased.  Arms of the defeated kingdoms became his property.  With a strong army, the welfare of the subjects was assured.  The King now turned his attention to building dams and temples.  Old Temples were renovated.  New palaces and educational institutions were built.  Community and marriage halls as well as public welfare activities were taken up.  Commercial activities were on in full swing and Vijayanagar became the cynosure of all eyes.

 With the revered Sage Dasaveranya Vyasaraya’s blessings, Krishnadevaraya was transformed into a changed man. In fact, the seer also took charge of the royal responsibilities during the King’s illness.

 The temples, stadiums, thrones, swimming pools and stables are in full display not only in Hampi but also in Kalahasti, Sriranga, Shreeshaila and a dozne other places.  Most of these monuments stand testimony to the arty nature of the Hindus.

 The 100-pillared Hampi Vittalaya took its birth during Krishnadevaraya’s reign (1519).

 As a statesman, Krishnadevaraya had an eye for detail.  He was also the author of the classic – Amukta Malya’.  It brings forth his views on politics, administration, public relations, defence techniques as well as the art of diplomacy.

 He was quite practical in his outlook as most of his theories had its practice in the running of the state.  He was also instrumental in giving a major thrust on agro-activities.

 Exports also increased. There was great demand for handloom, agro-products and other artistic products.  They were in demand in places like Arabia-Persia.  He also imported horses from Arabia, Elephants from Burma and perfumes from other islands.

 GEMS IN COURT

 He was also instrumental in encouraging talents of all hues.  He attracted scholars and talents from far-off land.  He was also instrumental in starting dasara-sharana festivals.  Accounts have it that Vasantotsava was celebrated with great fanfare during his time.

 Despite his Kannada speaking background, he encouraged literature of all languages and even invited poets from other countries.  He patronized Sanskrit scholars.

 The way he gifted talents and scholars is now legendary.  He studded them with pearls and gems by giving them the highest honour.  Several poetic verses in the name of Krishnadevaraya stand testimony to his largesse.

 Despite his Vaishnava background, he never thrust his faith on others.  People of all faiths were encouraged to practice their faith.

 Scholars like Tenali Ramakrishna, Allasani, Rudra Bhatta and others adorned his court.

 Litterateur par excellence:

 The most surprising aspect was that the Emperor was himself a poet and scholar whose work “Madalasa Charitra”, Jnanachintamani, Sakalakathasarasangraha” stand testimony to his talent.

 Krishnadevaraya’s “Amuktha Malyada” is dedicated to Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara.  It is a mega poetic work in itself. 

 Amukta means decorated.  Malya means garland.  Amukta Malayada means dedicating the garland to the Goddess.  It is a poetic work of devotion.  Even his daughter Mohanagi was a poetess.  Her anthology “Marichi Parinaya” is also available in the collection today.

 TRAGIC FATE:

 It is rather a tragedy that such a crowning glory of human civilization had to end in the barbarious medieval fanatic violence of Islam.  Chronicler Robert Swell opined that, the “heinous violence at Vijayanagar was unprecedented.  Hampi now stands mute testimony to the gory plunder”

 THE END OF AN ERA

 1565 signalled the end of Vijayanagar era. The Muslims defeated the Vijayanagar army and the army ransacked the civilized city in a dance of gory violence.  Ramaraya’s head was severed, dangled in a spear and was taken in a procession.  The sadistic tale of Vijayanagar plunder is now witness in the Hampi epigraphs.  The traveller’s account are just too horrible to be narrated.  The dance of death and humiliation continued for several weeks.

 Historians have attributed several reasons for Ramaraya’s defeat.  Some of the most common pseudo explanations are that he fell foul of the Mohammedan Sultans.

 However, that was not the case.  It was overconfidence on the part of Rama Raya.  In fact, the treacherous Sultans had received Ramaraya’s help just before the invasion. 

 The most sensible explanation is that the Vijayanagar Kings were not aware of the dangers of Islamic jehad – which believes in all-out war against the non-believers.

 Besides, Ramaraya did a major mistake in appointing two Muslims as Generals – who had supposedly deserted Adil Shah’s army.

 These two Muslim Generals – who led an army of 80,000 each collaborated with the Muslim army soon after the Adil-Shah led conquest.

 The Vijayanagar doom stands testimony to the treachery of Islamic jehadis and the ignorance of Hindus who are too eagerly taken in by stupid catch-phrases like Sarva Dharma Samabhava (All religions are equal).

 The Islamic hatred for anything that reeks of Hinduism is reflected in the way Vijayanagar Empire was plundered for months after the event took place.  It just does not stand for political victory or loss.  It is something deeper.  Islam is a real disease.  Islam makes a man inhuman to such an extent that man becomes beast in the pursuit of an imaginary god in an imaginary heaven.  The old King Ramaraya was not only killed.  His head was taken in a procession.  It is just a sample of Islamic intolerance.

 The lessons of Vijayanagar fall should not be forgotten.  Lest we forget.  Remember, they are all over us.