Two brothers, Harihara and Bukka Raya were employed with the Kakatiya King, Rudra Pratap II in Warangal.
Humble Beginnings
Afghan and Turk invasions into Southern India
Alauddin Khilji and later Muhammad bin Tughlaq sent multiple expeditions to take over Southern India.
Fall of Southern Indian Kingdoms
Devagiri (Daulatabad), Belur, Madurai, and large parts of northern India fell to the Turks and Afghans of Delhi Sultanate.
1323 AD:
Sack of Warangal
In 1323, Muhammad bin Tughlaq defeated the Kakatiya king Pratap Rudra II in Warangal in Telangana and installed his representative there.
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Struggles and dreams of two brothers for their motherland
Move to Kampili
The two brothers escaped Warangal and joined the service of King of Kampili in Anegudi, near Hampi.
1327 AD:
Sack of Kampili
Kampili too fell to Tughlaq in 1327.
Imprisonment
The brothers were imprisoned and sent to Delhi.
Tughlaq later converted the brothers to Islam and sent them back to manage the province as his representatives.
Return to Anegudi
Longing for freedom
Unhappy, helpless the brothers longed for freedom for their people. They did not know how!
The Advaitin
In those days, in the hills of Anegudi, lived Vidyaranya Swami, the legendary Philosopher, Saint and Visionary.
Before him, the very fate of Bharat lay bare. The destruction of her cities, people needed action!In these mountains, he waited for the two whom Bharat's destiny awaited.
The Association
The brothers came in contact with Vidyaranya Swami. His vision bore fruit through their lives.
First Rulers
In 1336 AD, with Vidyaranya's permission, Harihara I became the first ruler of the to be great Vijayanagar Empire.Younger brother Bukka became the co-regent.
Harihara took up administration and governance
Bukka, an able general, looked after defences and armed forces
Defences
Harihara fortified the legendary Chalukyan capital, Badami and built the famous Udaygiri fort in Nellore to protect them from enemies all around.
Seven Walls of Hampi
Hampi had 7 concentric walls to fortify the city. Its construction was probably started by Harihara. Only broken remnants of these walls are found in Hampi today.
1356 AD: Harihara I passed away
King Bukka Raya
Left alone, Bukka did not lose spirit. He carried the Vijayanagar flag all through Southern India.
Expansion
He defeated the Hoysalas, Madura Sultanate, Arcot, Eastern Ganga Kingdom, Zamorins of Kerala and the King of Jaffna, far south! He keeps check on the Sultanates of north.
Bukka brought nearly the whole Southern India under the Vijayanagar flag in his reign of 21 years.
The Vijayanagar Empire
1377 AD: Bukka Raya passes away
The brothers created a vast resistance to the invasions from the Afghans and Turks in the north. Their work protected Southern India for 250 years.
Wait for the legend ..
But, Hampi still awaited for the legend to arrive, Emperor Krishnadeva Raya.