Hampi is an ancient land. Much beyond medieval India. Its earliest mentions are probably in Hindu mythology. It is believed that Lord Shiva burned Kamdeva, opening his third eye (Shiva is believed to get pleased and angered quickly. Lord Shiva is often depicted with a third eye, which he opens when he is angered) on the Hemkuta Hills of Hampi.
Hampi also is mentioned in Ramayana and plays a very important in the life of Lord Ram. It is believed Hanuman, Ram’s eternal devotee, was born here, the misunderstanding and battle between brothers Sugriva and Bali happened here, the Vaanar (literally ‘Monkey’) kingdom of Ramayana was situated here. For those who know, this was Kishkindha of Ramayana.
Historically, the earliest mentions of Hampi are dated to around the 3rd Century BC. However, Hampi grows in importance around the medieval Indian period of 14th century, when a series of developments across India lead to a rise and consolidation of defences of native Southern India against Islamic invasions in the north.
The Khiljis
The notable Sultan who opened the inroads into Southern India was Alauddin Khalji. In 1296, Alauddin murdered his father-in-law and usurped the throne of Delhi. His trusted general, Malik Kafur – notorious for his barbaric cruelty, played an instrumental role through his reign as the ruler.
The crucial event that facilitated the inroads of the Turk Delhi Sultanates into the South was the fall of Devagiri. Devagiri was the capital of the Yadava dynasty. It is legendary in that the fort of Devagiri was impregnable. Surrounded by steep hills, the fort was never captured by military might.
The fall of Devagiri marked the onset of the continuous expeditions of Sultanates in Delhi southwards. Devagiri became the halting point of the Sultanate armies from Delhi before they launched their assault in Southern kingdoms.
Malik Kafur led expeditions down south, attacking the Hoysalas in Karnataka and the Pandyas in Madurai.
READ More about the capital of Hoysalas, Belur – Halebidu which are UNESCO Heritage sites.
The Tughlaqs and fall of Southern Kingdoms
In 1320, Ghiyath al-din Tughlaq assumed the throne of Delhi, beginning the reign of the Tughlaqs. His son was Ulugh Khan who later came to be known as Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the mad-king.
The onslaught on southern India began with more pronounced aggression during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. He had by then renamed Devagiri (or Deogiri) as Daulatabad.
In 1323, Muhammad bin Tughlaq defeated the Kakatiyas in Warangal in modern day Telengana state in India. Two brothers, Harihara I and Bukka Raya were at this time employed with the King of the Kakatiyas, Pratap Rudra II. While the Kakatiyas were defeated, Pratap Rudra committed suicide when he was being transported as a prisoner to Delhi.
These two brothers shifted to Anegudi (north of Hampi, the site of Kishkindha in Ramayana) and joined the service of the King of Kampili in Karnataka.
In 1327, Tughlaq attacked Kampili and defeated. Both brothers were captured and transported to Delhi. Both of them were forcefully converted into Islam and sent back to Hampi as representatives of the Sultan in Anegudi.
READ More about Kishkindha in Hampi
While the brothers were sent back as Islamic representatives of the Tughlaqs, their hearts and souls suffered and continuously tried to gain independence for their people, religion and culture.
Vidyaranya Swami and the brothers
In the hills of Hampi, there awaited the stalwart of Advaita Vedanta from the traditions of Adi Shankaracharya called Vidyaranya Swami. In him combined the spiritual grandeur of Shankaracharya and the political astuteness of Chanakya.
With the rapid fall of Hoysalas, Warangal, Madurai and the tremendous torture and afflictions on the common people by their new Turkic and Afghan masters, Vidyaranya had little doubt that there needed to be a unified response of India to the foreign invasions.
It was at this time that the two brothers who were beset by challenges all around them with a strong desire for independence for their people, came in touch with Vidyaranya. The swami took the two brothers in his fold and served as their mentor, guide and guru.
Coronation of Harihara I
Inspired by Vidyaranya, the two brothers undertook one of the most momentous and bold decisions in Indian political history that defined the course of Indian history for the next 250 years.
In 1336, Harihara I was crowned the first King of the Vijayanagar Empire. Bukka was appointed the co-regent and Yuvaraj (successor).
Driven by Vidyaranya’s vision of an unified Indian response to the foreign Sultanates of the north, the two brothers undertook the impossible mission of bringing the entire south under a singular flag.
Harihara reigned for about 20 years until he passed away in 1356. But by then Harihara had established an efficient administration, phenomenally increased land under cultivation, increased state revenues and built up systems of defences with forts in Badami, Udayagiri, fortifications in Hampi.
While Harihara reigned and kept enemies in check, he entrusted the challenging task of expanding territories of the empire progressively along the kingdom borders.
Reign of Bukka Raya
Bukka was left alone after the passing of Harihara. But he did not loose hope or sight of Vidyaranya’s vision.
Bukka, a very able general, defeated the Sultanate of Madurai, kings of Arcot, Eastern Ganga Dynasty of Orissa, Zamorins of Kerala. He defeated the state of Jaffna in Sri Lanka and established Vijayanagar as a single flag across the entirety of Southern India!
In the meantime, Bukka kept the Sultanates of north (Delhi Sultanate, the new Bahamani Sultanate) under check, defending the borders of the kingdom.
The two brothers together established the barrier that would prevent the northern Sultanates from invading into the South.
It was Vidyaranya’s vision and the courage of the two brothers that enabled Southern India to remain free and independent from the scourge of the invaders for the next 250 years.
Conclusion
Harihara I and Bukka today are lost in the pages of history. Their memories are lost and no longer with us. However, they were the ones who established perhaps the kingdom that was to go on to become one of the most powerful empires of medieval India in the 16th century.
But that was to happen in the reign of the legendary Emperor Krishnadeva Raya, perhaps the most accomplished kings India has ever seen. Unparalleled as a warrior who led his immense armies in person, in intellect and art, an author, a builder; whose personality everyone who came in touch with him, they loved and admired!
Perhaps another article for another time!
