KRISHNADEVARAYA
Krishnadevaraya (kruSNadEvarAya) (ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ)
was one of the most illustrious monarchs who ruled in Karnataka. He belonged to
the TuLuva segment among the many dynasties that ruled in Vijayanagar and his rule
extended between 1509 A.D. and 1529 A.D. He ascended the throne after the demise
of VIra Narasimha and he was responsible for stabilising the affairs of the state
which was beset by external enemies and internal strifes. Administrative reforms
and enhancement of wealth were his priorities during the early stages. He was appreciated
for abolishing many redundant taxes such as wedding tax and encouraged cultivation
of land and consequently state revenues soared. Enlistment in to army was encouraged
by the king.
After this initial engagement with administration,
Krishndevaraya initiated many military operations. Firstly, they were focused on
reducing the pressures exerted by Bahmani Sultans and the Shahs of Bijapur. He was
successful in subduing the enemies in the North as well as the South. Gradually
self defense was replaced by Imperial designs. Udayagiri, utkala, konDaveeDu, vijayavAda,
rAjamahEndri, simhacala, nalgonDa and vAramgal were among his conquests. Attack
on the fort cities of Raichur (ರಾಯಚೂರು)
and Mudgal (ಮುದ್ಗಲ್ಲು)
are counted among his major victories. His victory over Gajapathi of kaLinga (Orissa)
is another landmark. His power extended in the South right up to Simhala. Last days
of his rule were relatively peaceful but his differences with his trusted premier
mahAmantri timmarasu came to the fore. He had diplomatic relations with the Portugese
who were in control of
The lands ruled by this great king were essentially
bi-lingual and he encouraged Telugu people as well as the Kannada speaking segments
of his domain. Krishnadevaraya was himself a poet and ‘AmuktamAlyadA’
(ಆಮುಕ್ತಮಾಲ್ಯದಾ),
a book on polity in Telugu as well as ‘Jambavati Parinayam’ are written by him.
He was a Vaishnava king unlike many of his predecessors. His royal court had eight
famous Telugu poets known as ‘aSTa diggajas’. They are Allasani Peddana, Nandi Thimmana, Madayyagari Mallana, Dhurjati,
Ayyala-raju Rama-Bhadrudu, Pingali Surana, Rama-raj-bhushanudu and Tenali Rama Krishna. Gubbi Mallanaarya, NanjunDa kavi,
purandaradAsa and vyAsarAya were some of the Kannada poets and sages patronized
by him. He built an extension called ‘nAgalApura’ to his capital Hampi. A huge mantap
as an addition to the famous Virupaksha temple and the Krishnaswamy temple are attributed
to him. It is speculated that the world famous Vijaya Vittala temple and the HajAra
Rama temple were also built by Krishnadevaraya. He was responsible for building
important edifices in far off places such as Tirupati and Madhure.
A major share of the information on Krishnadevaraya
that is available to us comes from the accounts of travelers from abroad such as
Fernao Nunnez, Domingo Paes and the book ‘Forgotten Empire’ by Robert Sewel. Inscriptions
also provide substantial details.
Thus, Krishnadevaraya has secured an iconic
status as an able military general, pro-people administrator and a generous patron
of art and culture.
Further
1.
Vijayanagara
coins- Krishnadevaraya (coins)
2.
OurKarnataka.com:
History of Karnataka: Sri Krishnadevaraya
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