Monday 14 November 2016

Vijayanagar – A Golden Epoch in Indian History

            Medevial Indian History is always characterized by many “secular” historians as a chronicle of military disasters. But is India’s history, a series of defeats? NO!! It is a tale of sacrifice, valour and final victory! Dear readers, I now try to bring your attention towards the unparalleled achievements of the Vijayanagar Empire, glorious yet unfortunately forgotten by the sons of this soil.

“Founded in 1336 AD, Vijayanagara would soon grow to be one of the world’s mightiest empires. At its peak, the Vijayanagara Empire covered a size that was larger than the Austrian empire. It was one of the richest empires of its time, which made foreign visitors wonder in awe, be it the architecture, the urban layouts or its immense wealth in diamonds and riches.”

“For three centuries, the Vijayanagara Empire, stood like a mighty bulwark, protecting the Hindu dharma in the South and in the Deccan. It stood like a rock against the Muslim invasions that had ravaged and destroyed large parts of the North. Today it exists only in stones and stories, but its legacy would forever be remembered.” 




1) ESTABLISHING AN INDIGENOUS EMPIRE AGAINST UNPARALELLED ODDS

The picture of South India in the first quarter of the 14th century was a miserable one, with practically the whole of the peninsula under foreign Turkish yoke. The hordes of Alauddin Khilji and his general Malik Kafur (a Hindu convert), followed by the Tughlaqs had wiped out ancient Indian dynasties like Kakatiyas of Warangal, Yadavas of Devagiri, and Pandyas of Madurai.  Hoysalas of Mysore, though earlier defeated, remained fighting. Thus, it can be rightly considered as one of the darkest periods in Indian History.

            The period of Turkish domination of the South, (1320-1336) was one terrible suffering for the people as illustrated in Madhuravijayam. Desecration of temples, forcible conversions to Islam, rape of womenfolk and slavery become common. As soon as the Turkish invasions (both Khilji and Tughlaqs) were over, the people of South India mounted a ferocious counter-attack.  Each of the South Indian chiefs began their battles determined to burn down the Tughlaq Empire. This is when two heroes appeared on the scene – Harihara and Bukka.

Differing theories have been proposed regarding the origins of the Vijayanagara Empire. Many historians propose that Harihara I and Bukka, the founders of the empire, were Kannadigas and commanders in the army of the Hoysala Empire stationed in the Tungabhadra region to ward off Turkish invasions from the Northern India. Both of them were taken as captives to Delhi in 1327 and were converted there to Islam. Later on being pleased with their behavior and exceptional ability, the Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq sent them both, entrusting the task of suppressing South Indian kings who rose against the Turks. Sultan hoped that they would be loyal to him just like Malik Kafur was to Alauddin, but both Harihara and Bukka had other plans.

As per their plan, they met Shankaracharya Vidyaranyaswami who reconverted these brothers back to Hinduism. They raised an army with the help of other Indian leaders in the south, and established an independent sovereign kingdom on the banks of the river Tungabhadra with Harihara as the first emperor in 1336.

2) THE GLORIOUS AIM – PROTECTION OF INDIC WAY OF LIFE

Harihara and Bukka along with Swami Vidayaranya had decided that the aim of founding a strong Indic kingdom was for the protection of Hindu dharma and way of life in the south. This can be seen from the fact that they had no qualms in returning to their ancient faith and establish a kingdom which had the flag of Bhagwa, the symbol of renunciation, service to mankind and Glory to God.

Unification of South India under Hindu umbrella

            The Vijayanagar Emperors slowly expanded their territory throughout the peninsular region south of Krishna river and formed a strong bulwark against Turkic invaders, both Sultan in Delhi and Bahmani Sultanate in Maharashtra. This can be seen from the fact that Harihara had earned the title of Purvapaschima Samudradhishavara ("master of the eastern and western seas"). Deva Raya II is also noted by famous traveler Abdul Razzaq as the overlord of kings of Burma and Sri Lanka too.

In fact, The Vijayanagara Empire created an epoch in South Indian history that transcended regionalism by promoting Hinduism as a unifying factor. Most of the wars they fought were against foreign powers like Bahamani kingdom in Maharashtra.

Delivering the people of deep south from Turkish tyranny
            One of the most important achievements of Vijayanagar Kings was the destruction of Madurai Sultanate in 1371. This Turkish dynasty was infamous for inhuman atrocities on the people and for religious persecution of Hindus. The Sanskrit poem Madhuravijayam by Princess Gangadevi depicts that the glorious victory of her husband Kamparaya (the elder son and general of Bukka) over the cruel Sultans which put a complete end to the dynasty.

“The army which looked like the grand confluence of seven oceans began its orderly march with great uproar.” Verse 44, Fourth Canto, Madhuravijayam.

After liberation of Madurai, the Vijayanagar kings also worked towards restoring a traumatilized society. It should be noted that Emperor Bukkaraya was given the title  “ Vedamarga Prasthapika” i.e., the re-establisher of the Vedas for his untiring efforts in healing the scars inflicted on the Indian society by the frequent Turkish invasions. His patronage revived the old systems of learning which had fallen into decay in a half century of warfare.

 “The rulers of Vijayanagar restored worship in the temples, repaired old temples and towers, settled disputes amongst the temple servants and made extensive endowments in the shape of jewels, lands, taxes and other income.”

- Tamil country under Vijayanagar (Dr. A. Krishnaswami)



3) ALWAYS ON THE OFFENSIVE

            An important peculiarity of the Vijayanagar kings was that they were always on the offensive. It is astonishing fact that during invasion of Alauddin on the south, the Indian kingdoms in peninsular India were caught off guard and was destroyed completely. But in contrast, the kings of this Empire were able to hold out not just against Sultans of Delhi, Bahamanis and also Portuguese. 

            Another peculiar feature of Vijayanagar military was the concept of total war which they employed on the enemy population. They aimed at exterminating the enemy, not just defeating him. This can be amply proved by the conquest of Madurai where the whole Turkish dynasty was obliterated and not even a trace was left behind. The ferocity of the Madura war can be easily understood from Maduravijayam.

The soldiers of Kamparaya with anger ( caused by the enemies evil deeds) avoiding the shower of enemy arrows with their shields, moved unobserved and simultaneously hacked the bodies of enemy horses along with their riders.” Verse 1, Ninth Canto, Madhuravijayam.

The bow men severed the trunks of enemy elephants with half moon faced arrows.They (trunks of elephants) fell down into pools of blood like serpents in the sacrificial fire of King Janmejaya.” Verse 3, Ninth Canto, Madhuravijayam.

            This principle was followed by the later kings like Krishnadevaraya who defeated five Deccan Sultanates (both of Turkic and indigenous origin) and instilled a sense of mortal fear in the minds of their enemies. If not for the defeat in Battle of Talikota in 1565, the Vijayanagar kings might have been able to make an attempt to liberate the north.

                            Krishnadevaraya, the greatest king of Vijayanagar Empire (1509-1530)

4) GOOD GOVERNANCE

The rulers of Vijayanagar Empire maintained a well-functioned administration, modeled after the methods of ancient dynasties before them. King was ultimate authority, assisted by a cabinet of ministers (Pradhana) headed by the prime minister (Mahapradhana). Other important titles recorded were the chief secretary (Karyakartha or Rayaswami) and the imperial officers (Adhikari). All high-ranking ministers and officers were required to have military training.

The Vijayanagar kings, especially Krishnadevaraya under whom the Empire reached its peak, was very fond of architecture and sculpture. Numerous forts, temples, monasteries etc were built during this age. The thousand-pillared mantapas and the raya-gopurams, which characterize the countryside in South India was built during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya.

The emperors like Krishnadevaraya maintained personal contact with the people to understand their grievances. They also made it a point to construct tanks and canals for irrigation purposes which led to expansion of agriculture. The capital city of Vijayanagar had an excellent water-distribution system which ensured water in these semi-arid regions of South India. Tenant farmers were given ownership of the land, which can be considered as an attempt to ensure socio-economic equality.

Invincible Military Strength of Vijayanagar
            The Vijayanagar military was an excellent war machine which was divided into two types: king’s personal army directly recruited by the empire and the feudal army under each feudatory. King Krishnadevaraya's personal army consisted of 100,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalrymen and over 900 elephants. This number was only a part of the army numbering over 1.1 million soldiers, a figure that varied as an army of two million has also been recorded along with the existence of a navy as evidenced by the use of the term Navigadaprabhu (commander of the navy).

            Another important which contributed in the astonishing victories of Vijayanagar military was excellent generalship. Vijayanagar kings especially Krishnadevaraya, Harihara and Bukka were great generals who knew how to win victories in most discouraging circumstances. Another major feature was the devotion and attachment of the soldiers who were willing to go to the jaws of death for the cause of Indic way of life and protection of Dharma.

Flourishing Trade
            Vijayanagar Empire had a flourishing trade with various countries like China in the East and Venice in the west, aided by a number of ports like Mangalore, Honavar, Bhatkal, Calicut, Cochin etc. The security of merchandise was guaranteed and the Empire was a principal exporter of pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, myrobalan, tamarind timber, anafistula, precious and semi-precious stones, pearls, musk, ambergris, rhubarb, aloe, cotton cloth and porcelain, which ensured the cash-in-flow and prosperity.

“The city is such that eye has not seen nor ear heard of any place resembling it upon the whole earth. It is so built that it has seven fortified walls, one within the other.”

-         Abdul Razzaq, Timurid chronicler (1413-1482)

5) ALL AROUND REVIVAL OF INDIC CULTURE AND GOLDEN AGE OF LITERATURE

            The kings of Vijayanagar used titles such as Gobrahamana Pratipalanacharya (literally, "protector of cows and Brahmins") and Hindurayasuratrana (lit, "upholder of Hindu faith") that testified to their intention of protection of Hindu dharma. They made grants to various temples and religious institutions. Bhakti movement was also active during this time.

Most Sanskrit works were commentaries either on the Vedas or on Ramayana and Mahabharata epics, written by well known figures such as Sayana and Vidyaranya that extolled the superiority of the Advaita philosophy over other rival Hindu philosophies. Other writers were famous Dvaita saints of the Udupi order such as Jayatirtha (earning the title Tikacharya for his polemicial writings), Vyasatirtha who wrote rebuttals to the Advaita philosophy and of the conclusions of earlier logicians, and Vadirajatirtha and Sripadaraya both of whom criticised the beliefs of Adi Sankara. Apart from these saints, noted Sanskrit scholars adorned the courts of the Vijayanagara kings and their feudal chiefs. Some members of the royal family were writers of merit and authored important works such asJambavati Kalyana by King Krishnadevaraya, and Madura Vijayam by Princess Gangadevi, a daughter-in-law of King Bukka I. Also known as Virakamparaya Charita, the book dwells on the conquest of the Madurai Sultanate by the Vijayanagar Empire.

6) RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE
              
              Vijayanagar kings were tolerant of all religions as proved by the accounts of the foreign visitors. In an age marked by bigotry and fanaticism, special reference must be made to the policy of tolerance adopted by Vijayanagar kings. Emperor Bukka had issued an edict which proclaimed all religions as equal and entitled to the patronage of the State. This policy was followed by all his successors. This led all religious communities including Muslims, Chrsitians and Jews look up to the Vijayanagar kings as the guardian of their right to worship.

7) AN INSPIRATION FOR FUTURE

            The glorious history of Vijayanagar was an inspiration to many freedom fighters and great rulers as a role model of an Indic kingdom. It can be noted that Shivaji’s Hindavi Swaraj was inspired a lot by the tale of Vijayanagar Empire and its uncompromising fight against the foreign invaders. Only difference was that Vijayanagar saved South India from Muslim invaders while Shivaji and his Maratha Empire led to the final defeat of the alien Muslim power in Delhi and the liberation of whole India from foreign rule. It must be also noted that Shivaji’s administrative model, like Ashta Pradhans bore a lot of similarities with the Vijayanagar.

            But unfortunately, many seems to have forgotten this glorious epoch. I hope to rekindle the pride in our countrymen about our past through my humble effort.

          Vande Mataram!

REFERENCES

Books:-

1) Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History by Veer Savarkar.
2) Tamil country under Vijayanagar (Dr. A. Krishnaswami)
3) History and Culture of Indian People, by R.C. Majumdar, Vols. 6 and 7.
4) A forgotten empire, by Robert Swell.
5) South India and her Muhammadan invaders; S.K.Aiyangar.
6) Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire, B.A.Saletore,Vol I & II

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