Indian History and World History (Part-16)

Amuktamalyada is a Telugu epic poem. It means “One who offered the garland after wearing it himself.”

Krishna Deva Raya (17 January 1471 – 17 October 1529) was a renowned emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire in South India, ruling from 1509 to 1529.

He was the third monarch of the Tuluva dynasty and is celebrated as one of the greatest rulers in Indian history.​

Founding of the Vijayanagara Empire

• Founded in: 1336 CE

• Founders: Harihara I and Bukka Raya I

• Dynasty: Sangama Dynasty (first of four dynasties to rule the empire)

• Purpose: To unite the South and defend against Muslim invasions after the fall of the Yadava and Hoysala kingdoms.

• Major Dynasties of Vijayanagara Empire

  Dynasty	Period	Notable Rulers
  Sangama	1336–1485	Harihara I, Bukka Raya I
  Saluva	1485–1505	Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya
  Tuluva	1505–1570	Krishna Deva Raya (greatest king)
  Aravidu	1570–1646	Aliya Rama Raya, Tirumala Deva Raya

Famous Foreign Travelers to Vijayanagara Empire

1. Niccolò de Conti (Italy) – ~1420s, during the Sangama Dynasty

   • Described Vijayanagara as a prosperous and culturally rich society.

2. Abdur Razzaq (Persia/Iran) – 1443 CE, Sangama period

   • Documented the splendor of Hampi, the royal capital.

   • Praised the grandeur of the king and the magnificence of court life.

3. Domingo Paes (Portugal) – 1520–1522, Tuluva Dynasty

   • Visited during Krishna Deva Raya’s reign.

   • Admired the military strength, bustling markets, and excellent city planning.

   • Called it one of the best-provided cities in the world.

4. Fernao Nuniz (Portugal) – ~1535 CE, Tuluva period

   • Wrote about the administrative system, temples, and historical events of Vijayanagara.

   • Noted the social customs and lifestyle of both nobles and commoners.

5. Ludovico di Varthema (Italy) – ~1505 CE

   • Observed the empire’s vibrant trade, diverse population, and cosmopolitan culture.

6. Duarte Barbosa (Portugal) – Early 16th century

   • Highlighted Vijayanagara’s wealth, urban organization, and religious tolerance.

Founding of the Vijayanagara Empire

• Founded in: 1336 CE

• Founders: Harihara I and Bukka Raya I

• Dynasty: Sangama Dynasty (first of four dynasties to rule the empire)

• Purpose: To unite the South and defend against Muslim invasions after the fall of the Yadava and Hoysala kingdoms.

Founding of the Vijayanagara Empire

• Founded in: 1336 CE

• Founders: Harihara I and Bukka Raya I

• Dynasty: Sangama Dynasty (first of four dynasties to rule the empire)

• Purpose: To unite the South and defend against Muslim invasions after the fall of the Yadava and Hoysala kingdoms.

Golden Age Under Krishna Deva Raya (1509–1529)

• Belonged to the Tuluva Dynasty

• Expanded the empire from the Krishna River to Kanyakumari

• Famous for military victories, especially over Bahmani Sultans, Gajapatis of Odisha, and Portuguese

• Promoted Telugu literature and wrote Amuktamalyada

• Patronized the Ashtadiggajas, the eight legendary poets

• Supported multiple religions: Hinduism (Vaishnavism), Shaivism, Jainism, and Islam

It is the definitive literary monument of Telugu civilization and a powerful embodiment of the imperial culture of Vijayanagara, the last of the great premodern south Indian states.

He was a Christian pastor and scrivener in a feitoria in Kochi. The book of Duarte Barbosa is one of the earliest examples of Portuguese travel literature.

Duarte Barbosa visited India and worked in the Malabar region (like Cochin and Cannanore) around 1500 to 1517.

During this time, the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire was:

• Krishnadevaraya (reigned from 1509 to 1529).

The Tuluva dynasty was the third dynasty of the Vijayanagara empire, the other three being

• Sangama,
• Saluva,
• and Aravidu dynasties.

Krishnadevaraya was the second son of Tulva Narasa Nayaka. He ruled the largest empire after the decline of the Delhi Sultanate.

Krishnadeva Raya wrote Amuktamalyada.

Amuktamalyada is a Telugu epic poem. It means “One who offered the garland after wearing it himself.”

Krishna Deva Raya (17 January 1471 – 17 October 1529) was a renowned emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire in South India, ruling from 1509 to 1529.

He was the third monarch of the Tuluva dynasty and is celebrated as one of the greatest rulers in Indian history.​

Amuktamalyada describes the story of the wedding of the Hindu Lord Ranganayaka, an avatar of Vishnu, and Goda Devi aka Andal, the Tamil Alvar poet and daughter of Periyalvar, at Srirangam.