Krishnadevaraya and the Tuluva Dynasty

At a Glance

• Reign 1509 to 1530
• Dynasty Tuluva
• Key victory Over the Bijapur ruler in 1520 after Raichur and Mudkal
• Literature Amuktamalyada; the Ashtadiggajas at court
• Foreign view Paes, Barbosa and Nuniz praised his rule
• Exam link UPSC Prelims, Medieval History: Vijayanagara Empire

Where Does It Fit?

This is the third topic of the category on the Vijayanagara Empire. The previous topic gave the empire’s political history, and this topic zooms in on the peak under Krishna Deva Raya. The next topic covers Vijayanagara’s administration. Previous topic: Political History of the Vijayanagara Empire (Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu Dynasties).

What Problems Did Krishna Deva Raya Face?

In short: Krishna Deva Raya re-established law and order, defeated old rivals and made Vijayanagara the strongest military power in the south.

When he came to the throne in 1509 he had to restore internal order and also deal with the old enemies, the successor states of the Bahmani kingdom and Orissa, which had taken many Vijayanagara lands. The Portuguese were also growing in power and using their control of the sea to browbeat smaller vassal states on the coast. They offered to buy the Raya’s neutrality by promising help in recovering Goa from Bijapur and a monopoly on horses.

Which Wars Did He Fight?

The southern powers were so keen on old feuds that they largely ignored the danger of the Portuguese to them and to their commerce.

How Did He Govern?

Krishna Deva tried to create a more centralised administration by ousting all the nayaks from the Tungabhadra doab and bringing it under direct rule. Paes wrote that he was a great ruler and a man of much justice, but subject to sudden fits of rage, and that he cherished his subjects so that his concern for their welfare became proverbial. Barbosa wrote that the king allowed every man to come and go and live by his own creed, without being asked whether he was a Christian, Jew, Moor or heathen, and praised the justice and equity of the empire. Barbosa, Paes and Nuniz speak of efficient administration and the prosperity of the empire under him. In his book on polity he told the king to protect the good, punish the wicked and levy taxes moderately.

What Did He Build and Write?

Krishna Deva was a great builder. He built a new town near Vijayanagara and dug an enormous tank that also irrigated fields. He was a gifted scholar of Telugu and Sanskrit. Of his many works, only a Telugu work on polity, the Amuktamalyada, and a Sanskrit drama survive. His reign opened a new era in Telugu literature, in which imitation of Sanskrit works gave way to independent works. He patronised Telugu, Kannada and Tamil poets alike.

His court is known for the Ashtadiggajas, eight Telugu poets whose name means the eight elephants of the directions, listed as Allasani Peddana, Nandi Thimmana, Madayyagari Mallana, Dhurjati, Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu, Pingali Surana, Ramarajabhushanudu and Tenali Ramakrishna. Peddana, called the grandfather of Telugu poetry, wrote the Manucharitra. Temples became more elaborate under the Vijayanagara rulers, who are seen as protectors of Hinduism, with pillared halls and pavilions added to old temples, and the empire built many schools and maths.

What Happened After Him?

After Krishna Deva died in 1530 there was a struggle for succession among his relations because his sons were minors. In 1543 Sadashiva Raya came to the throne and ruled until 1567, but real power rested in a triumvirate led by Rama Raja. As an analytical point, Krishna Deva Raya’s success rested on his personal ability, a large army and a strong hold on the nayaks, so it faded when strong kings did not follow. His neglect of the navy also left Vijayanagara dependent on the Portuguese for horses and exposed on the coast.

Why Is This Topic Important?

• Peak of the empire The best known ruler of the southern empire
• Literature Telugu’s golden age; poets and works are common questions
• Foreign praise Evidence of toleration and justice

What Came Next?

The next topic describes Vijayanagara’s administrative system, including the nayankara system. Next topic: Vijayanagara Administration (Nayankara System).

Key People and Terms

• Amuktamalyada Telugu work on polity by Krishna Deva Raya
• Ashtadiggajas Eight poets of his court
• Allasani Peddana Grandfather of Telugu poetry
• Tenali Ramakrishna One of the eight poets
• Raichur doab Region between the Krishna and the Tungabhadra
• Tuluva Dynasty of Krishna Deva Raya

Exam Corner

Mains Angle

Questions on Krishna Deva Raya ask about his achievements and the limits of his rule. These points add depth.

• Military Orissa, Bijapur and the doab
• Culture Telugu literature and temples
• Limit No navy and a fragile succession