Krishnadevaraya was the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire and belonged to the Tuluva Dynasty. He ruled from 1509 to 1529 and expanded Vijayanagara to its greatest territorial extent. His reign is often called the Golden Age of Vijayanagara, marked by military conquests, economic prosperity, administrative efficiency, and cultural advancements.
Basic Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Krishnadevaraya |
| Dynasty | Tuluva Dynasty |
| Reign | 1509 CE – 1529 CE |
| Capital | Vijayanagara (Hampi, Karnataka) |
| Major Rivals | Bahmani Sultanate, Gajapati Kingdom, Portuguese |
| Predecessor | Vira Narasimha Raya |
| Successor | Achyuta Deva Raya |
| Significance | Greatest ruler of Vijayanagara, military conqueror, patron of literature |
Rise to Power
- Became king in 1509 CE after the death of his brother Vira Narasimha Raya.
- Inherited an empire that was facing threats from the Bahmani Sultanate and the Gajapati rulers of Odisha.
- Quickly strengthened the military, administration, and economy.
Major Military Conquests
Krishnadevaraya was a brilliant military strategist and won several key battles:
1. Conquest of the Deccan Sultanates
- Defeated the Bahmani Sultanate and its successor states (Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmednagar).
- Captured Raichur (1512) and Bidar (1512).
- Weakened Muslim influence in the Deccan region.
2. Defeat of the Gajapati Kingdom (Odisha)
- In 1513, he invaded Kalinga (Odisha) and defeated the Gajapati King Prataparudra.
- Married the daughter of the Gajapati King as part of a peace settlement.
3. Portuguese Relations and Trade
- Established good relations with the Portuguese, who had settled in Goa.
- Obtained warhorses, artillery, and firearms from the Portuguese.
- Encouraged trade in spices, diamonds, and textiles.
4. Second Battle of Raichur (1520)
- Defeated Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur and recaptured Raichur.
- Used advanced military tactics and artillery.
- This battle cemented his position as the strongest ruler in South India.
Administration & Governance
Krishnadevaraya was an efficient administrator and strengthened the central authority of Vijayanagara.
- Strong Centralized Government:
- Personally supervised administration and justice.
- Maintained a large and well-disciplined army.
- Nayankara System:
- Feudal lords (Nayaks) were given land in exchange for military service.
- This system helped in efficient governance and defense.
- Efficient Tax Collection:
- Improved irrigation and agriculture.
- Encouraged trade and commerce.
Cultural and Architectural Contributions
1. Patronage of Literature
- Krishnadevaraya was a great patron of Telugu, Kannada, and Sanskrit literature.
- Wrote the famous Telugu work “Amuktamalyada”, which describes the story of Andal, a Tamil poet-saint.
- Encouraged Ashtadiggajas, a group of eight great Telugu poets in his court.
2. Architectural Developments
- Built Vittala Temple and Hampi monuments, known for their stone chariot and musical pillars.
- Constructed Hazara Rama Temple with detailed carvings depicting Ramayana.
- Developed irrigation tanks and reservoirs to support agriculture.
Religious Policies
- Tolerant ruler, supported both Hindus and Muslims.
- Encouraged temple construction and rebuilding of temples destroyed by earlier invasions.
- Maintained friendly relations with Sufi saints and Portuguese missionaries.
Decline and Death
- In 1529 CE, Krishnadevaraya fell ill and died.
- His son was too young to rule, so his brother Achyuta Deva Raya became the next king.
- After his death, Vijayanagara gradually weakened due to internal conflicts and attacks from the Deccan Sultanates.
Key Facts for Quick Revision
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Greatest Achievement | Expansion of Vijayanagara to its peak |
| Famous Literary Work | Amuktamalyada (Telugu) |
| Major Battle Victory | Second Battle of Raichur (1520) |
| Relations with Portuguese | Traded warhorses and artillery |
| Famous Monuments | Vittala Temple, Hazara Rama Temple |
| Death | 1529 CE |
MCQs on Krishnadevaraya
1. Krishnadevaraya belonged to which dynasty?
A) Sangama
B) Saluva
C) Tuluva
D) Aravidu
Answer: C) Tuluva
2. Which famous literary work was written by Krishnadevaraya?
A) Rajatarangini
B) Amuktamalyada
C) Arthashastra
D) Silappadikaram
Answer: B) Amuktamalyada
3. Which battle did Krishnadevaraya win against the Bijapur Sultanate in 1520?
A) First Battle of Panipat
B) Battle of Talikota
C) Second Battle of Raichur
D) Battle of Khanwa
Answer: C) Second Battle of Raichur
4. Who were the main enemies of Krishnadevaraya?
A) Mughals and Rajputs
B) Bahmani Sultanate and Gajapati Kingdom
C) Marathas and Portuguese
D) British and French
Answer: B) Bahmani Sultanate and Gajapati Kingdom
5. What was the capital of Vijayanagara during Krishnadevaraya’s rule?
A) Madurai
B) Hampi
C) Mysore
D) Warangal
Answer: B) Hampi
Subjective Questions for Further Revision
Short Answer Questions (2-5 Marks)
- What were the major achievements of Krishnadevaraya?
- What was the significance of the Second Battle of Raichur (1520 CE)?
- Name the famous literary work written by Krishnadevaraya.
- How did Krishnadevaraya encourage trade and commerce?
- What was the Nayankara system in Vijayanagara administration?
Long Answer Questions (8-15 Marks)
- Discuss the military conquests and expansions of Krishnadevaraya.
- Explain the role of Krishnadevaraya in the cultural and literary development of South India.
- How did Krishnadevaraya manage administration and governance efficiently?
- Analyze the relations between Krishnadevaraya and the Portuguese traders.
- Compare Krishnadevaraya’s rule with other medieval rulers of India in terms of administration, military power, and cultural contributions.
These detailed notes are essential for UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, NDA, CDS, and other competitive exams covering Medieval Indian History. Revise thoroughly and practice the MCQs and subjective questions to strengthen your preparation! 🚀