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The Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms were two prominent South Indian powers during the medieval period (c. 14th–16th centuries CE). The Vijayanagar Empire, founded in 1336 CE, was a Hindu kingdom that resisted Islamic expansion in South India, while the Bahmani Kingdom, established in 1347 CE, was a Muslim sultanate in the Deccan. Both kingdoms were engaged in prolonged conflicts over fertile regions like the Raichur Doab, yet they contributed immensely to administration, culture, and architecture. This topic is crucial for UPSC Prelims due to their political and cultural impact.
The Vijayanagar Empire emerged in response to invasions by the Delhi Sultanate, consolidating South Indian resistance. The Bahmani Kingdom was founded by a rebel governor of the Tughlaq dynasty, establishing Muslim rule in the Deccan. Their rivalry shaped South Indian politics until the Battle of Talikota (1565 CE) weakened Vijayanagar, and the Bahmani Kingdom fragmented into Deccan Sultanates.
| Kingdom | Timeline | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| Vijayanagar | 1336–1646 CE | Founded by Harihara and Bukka; zenith under Deva Raya II and Krishnadeva Raya; declined after Talikota (1565) |
| Bahmani | 1347–1527 CE | Founded by Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah; peaked under Mahmud Gawan; split into five Deccan Sultanates |
Founded in 1336 CE by brothers Harihara and Bukka, possibly under the guidance of sage Vidyaranya, Vijayanagar resisted Islamic invasions. The empire reached its zenith under Krishnadeva Raya, controlling South India and engaging in maritime trade.
Vijayanagar had a centralized monarchy with the king as the supreme authority, assisted by a council of ministers. The empire was divided into provinces (rajyas), districts (nadus), and villages, governed by nayakas (feudal lords). The nayankara system involved land grants in exchange for military service.
Agriculture thrived with irrigation systems like tanks and canals. Vijayanagar was a major trade hub, exporting spices, cotton, and gems through ports like Calicut and Goa. The empire issued gold coins (varaha) and maintained a prosperous market economy.
Vijayanagar patronized Hinduism, promoting the Bhakti movement and Vedic traditions. Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Sanskrit literature flourished, with works like Krishnadeva Raya’s Amuktamalyada and Allasani Peddana’s Manucharitram. The empire supported music, dance, and festivals.
Vijayanagar’s Dravidian architecture is iconic, with temples like Virupaksha and Vitthala at Hampi. Features include gopurams, kalyana mandapas, and intricate carvings. Secular structures like the Lotus Mahal and water tanks also stand out.
Founded in 1347 CE by Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah, a rebel against the Tughlaq dynasty, the Bahmani Kingdom ruled the Deccan. It reached its peak under Mahmud Gawan, controlling regions from Gulbarga to Bidar.
The Bahmani Kingdom had a centralized sultanate with the sultan as the head, assisted by nobles and a wazir (prime minister). The kingdom was divided into tarafs (provinces) governed by tarafdars. Mahmud Gawan introduced reforms to curb noble power and improve revenue collection.
Agriculture was the mainstay, supported by taxes like kharaj. The Bahmanis controlled Deccan trade routes, exporting cotton and horses through ports like Chaul and Dabhol. They issued gold and silver coins and built markets (e.g., Gawan’s madrasa doubled as a trade center).
The Bahmanis promoted a syncretic Indo-Islamic culture, patronizing Persian, Arabic, and regional languages like Dakhni Urdu. Sufism flourished under saints like Gesu Daraz. Literature included Firishta’s Tarikh-i-Firishta, a historical chronicle.
Bahmani architecture blended Persian and Indian styles, seen in structures like the Gol Gumbaz (early influence), Bidar Fort, and Mahmud Gawan’s Madrasa. Mosques and tombs featured domes and arches, reflecting Indo-Islamic aesthetics.
The Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms fought over fertile regions like the Raichur Doab and Tungabhadra Doab, strategic trade routes, and political supremacy. Religious differences also fueled tensions.
The conflicts weakened both kingdoms, with Vijayanagar declining after Talikota and the Bahmani Kingdom fragmenting into five Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar).
Vijayanagar preserved Hindu culture in South India, delaying Islamic expansion. The Bahmani Kingdom’s fragmentation led to the rise of Deccan Sultanates, influencing Mughal-Deccan relations.
Vijayanagar’s temples and literature enriched South Indian culture, while Bahmani’s Indo-Islamic architecture and Dakhni Urdu shaped Deccan identity. Both fostered religious syncretism through Sufism and Bhakti.
Vijayanagar’s trade networks connected India to Europe and Southeast Asia, while Bahmani’s Persian connections strengthened Indo-Islamic cultural exchanges.