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War of the Goldsmith's Daughter: Difference between revisions
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The treaty, though humiliating for Deva Raya, marked the end of the conflict, with the marriage between Parthal, the daughter of the goldsmith, and Hassan Khan, the son of Firuz Shah, cementing the agreement between the two powers. | The treaty, though humiliating for Deva Raya, marked the end of the conflict, with the marriage between Parthal, the daughter of the goldsmith, and Hassan Khan, the son of Firuz Shah, cementing the agreement between the two powers. | ||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
{{Main|Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1362–1367)| | {{Main|Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1362–1367)|Bahmani–Vijayanagara War (1398)}} | ||
The [[Bahmani Sultanate]] and [[Vijayanagara Empire]], two prominent kingdoms in the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, engaged in frequent military conflicts since their inception. Following the initial [[Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1362–1367)|Bahmani–Vijayanagar war]], a period of three decades ensued marked by peace, between the two empires, largely due to the pacifist reign of Bahmani ruler Muhammad Shah II.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Farooqui |first=Salma Ahmed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sxhAtCflwOMC |title=A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: Twelfth to the Mid-eighteenth Century |date=2011 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-81-317-3202-1 |pages=117 |language=en}}</ref> However, with the accession of [[Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah|Tajuddin Firuz Shah]], hostilities resumed between the Bahmanis and Vijayanagar. Concurrently, during the rebellion of [[Sagara, Karnataka|Sagar]] on the northern frontier of the Bahmani Sultanate, Vijayanagara ruler [[Harihara II]] seized the opportunity to launch an invasion into the southern frontier of the Bahmani Sultanate, thus sparking the second war between the two powers.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Allan |first1=John Andrew |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RZeOnQEACAAJ |title=The Cambridge Shorter History of India |last2=Dodwell |first2=Henry Herbert |last3=Haig |first3=Wolseley |date=1943 |publisher=University Press |pages=283–286 |language=en}}</ref> The second Bahmani-Vijayanagar war in 1398 concluded with the Bahmanis emerging victorious. Following their triumph, Vijayanagara Emperor Harihara II sought peace by offering one million Huns in tribute to the Bahmanis.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iRJuAAAAMAAJ |title=A Comprehensive History of India: The Delhi Sultanat, A.D. 1206-1526, edited by Mohammad Habib and Khaliq Ahmad Nizami |date=1970 |publisher=People's Publishing House |pages=977 |language=en}}</ref> | The [[Bahmani Sultanate]] and [[Vijayanagara Empire]], two prominent kingdoms in the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, engaged in frequent military conflicts since their inception. Following the initial [[Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1362–1367)|Bahmani–Vijayanagar war]], a period of three decades ensued marked by peace, between the two empires, largely due to the pacifist reign of Bahmani ruler Muhammad Shah II.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Farooqui |first=Salma Ahmed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sxhAtCflwOMC |title=A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: Twelfth to the Mid-eighteenth Century |date=2011 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-81-317-3202-1 |pages=117 |language=en}}</ref> However, with the accession of [[Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah|Tajuddin Firuz Shah]], hostilities resumed between the Bahmanis and Vijayanagar. Concurrently, during the rebellion of [[Sagara, Karnataka|Sagar]] on the northern frontier of the Bahmani Sultanate, Vijayanagara ruler [[Harihara II]] seized the opportunity to launch an invasion into the southern frontier of the Bahmani Sultanate, thus sparking the second war between the two powers.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Allan |first1=John Andrew |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RZeOnQEACAAJ |title=The Cambridge Shorter History of India |last2=Dodwell |first2=Henry Herbert |last3=Haig |first3=Wolseley |date=1943 |publisher=University Press |pages=283–286 |language=en}}</ref> The second Bahmani-Vijayanagar war in 1398 concluded with the Bahmanis emerging victorious. Following their triumph, Vijayanagara Emperor Harihara II sought peace by offering one million Huns in tribute to the Bahmanis.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iRJuAAAAMAAJ |title=A Comprehensive History of India: The Delhi Sultanat, A.D. 1206-1526, edited by Mohammad Habib and Khaliq Ahmad Nizami |date=1970 |publisher=People's Publishing House |pages=977 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 23:24, 27 June 2025
| The War of the Goldsmith's Daughter | |||||||||
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| Part of Bahmani–Vijayanagar Wars | |||||||||
 A temple from the capital of Vijayanagar | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
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Bahmani Sultanate Reddi Kingdom Velama chiefs | Vijayanagar empire | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Firuz Shah Bahmani (WIA) Ahmad Shah I Wali Devraj Ghorpade[1] Faulad Khan Fazlullah Inju Khan-i Khanan Anapota Velama Peda Komati Vema Sarnaubat Siddu |
Deva Raya I  | ||||||||
  The capital of the Vijayanagar empire, which was besieged by Bahmanis  War of the Goldsmith's Daughter (India) | |||||||||
The War of the Goldsmith's Daughter[2] or the Bahmani–Vijayanagar War of 1406[3] was a significant conflict between the Bahmani Sultanate and the Vijayanagar Empire, the two primary powers in the Deccan region of thirteenth and fourteenth century India, occurring in 1406. Led by Tajuddin Firuz Shah, the Bahmani forces, supported by Velama chiefs and the Reddis, launched multiple attacks on the Vijayanagar empire ruled by Deva Raya I. Despite his initial resistance, Deva Raya suffered heavy casualties, ultimately leading to the acceptance of the terms imposed by the Bahmanis, ending the war.
Following the Bahmani–Vijayanagar war of 1398, Bahmani ruler Firuz Shah directed his attention northward to quell Rajput rebellions within his territories. Meanwhile, the Vijayanagar ruler Harihara II passed away in 1404, sparking a succession struggle among his sons, namely Virupaksha Raya, Bukka Raya II, and Deva Raya I. Although Virupaksha Raya briefly ascended to the Vijayanagar throne, his reign lasted only a few months before his brother Bukka Raya II took over. However, in 1406, Deva Raya I ousted Bukka and proclaimed himself king of Vijayanagar.
Following Deva Raya I's ascension, a Brahmin saint returning from pilgrimage in Banaras recounted his encounter with a goldsmith's daughter named Parthal in Mudgal Doab, praising her beauty, musical prowess, and other virtues. Intrigued by the Brahmin's description, Deva Raya dispatched him to Parthal's home to propose marriage on his behalf. However, Parthal, mindful of the recent succession turmoil in Vijayanagar and aware of the fate of girls who ventured to the kingdom that they never came back to their families, as well as the practice of Sati, declined Deva Raya's proposal. Instead, she expressed a desire to wed an Islamic prince.
Infuriated by the rejection, Deva Raya personally led his army to Mudgal to abduct Parthal. Sensing the impending threat, the goldsmith sought refuge in Bahmani territories. In response, the Bahmani Governor of Mudgal Doab, Faulad Khan, confronted and defeated the Vijayanagar forces, repelling their invasion.
Upon learning of Deva Raya's aggression, Firuz Shah personally led the Bahmani forces, bolstered by allies from the Reddi Kingdom and Velama chiefs who harbored grievances against Vijayanagar over territorial disputes. Initially encountering resistance, the Bahmani forces persevered and launched multiple assaults on Vijayanagar strongholds.
As the campaign progressed, the Bahmanis seized the strategic Bankapur region, a major trade center, and systematically conquered various Vijayanagar territories. Faced with overwhelming odds, Deva Raya had no choice but to seek peace and surrender. Accepting the terms imposed by the Bahmanis, Deva Raya agreed to relinquish all lands captured by the Bahmanis during the campaign as dowry, return the territories taken from the Reddis and Velamas, and offer his daughter in marriage to Firuz Shah.
The treaty, though humiliating for Deva Raya, marked the end of the conflict, with the marriage between Parthal, the daughter of the goldsmith, and Hassan Khan, the son of Firuz Shah, cementing the agreement between the two powers.
Background
The Bahmani Sultanate and Vijayanagara Empire, two prominent kingdoms in the Deccan during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, engaged in frequent military conflicts since their inception. Following the initial Bahmani–Vijayanagar war, a period of three decades ensued marked by peace, between the two empires, largely due to the pacifist reign of Bahmani ruler Muhammad Shah II.[4] However, with the accession of Tajuddin Firuz Shah, hostilities resumed between the Bahmanis and Vijayanagar. Concurrently, during the rebellion of Sagar on the northern frontier of the Bahmani Sultanate, Vijayanagara ruler Harihara II seized the opportunity to launch an invasion into the southern frontier of the Bahmani Sultanate, thus sparking the second war between the two powers.[5] The second Bahmani-Vijayanagar war in 1398 concluded with the Bahmanis emerging victorious. Following their triumph, Vijayanagara Emperor Harihara II sought peace by offering one million Huns in tribute to the Bahmanis.[6]
Influence of Timur
After Timur's invasion of Delhi in 1398, he departed for his capital in Samarkand without establishing a permanent presence. Firuz Shah, who was engaged in conflict with Vijayanagar during that period, recognized an opportunity in Timur's departure. Understanding that Timur could alleviate his northern concerns, Firuz Shah dispatched ambassadors bearing lavish gifts. Their mission was to convey Firuz Shah's willingness to become one of Timur's allies and to offer his support in any future campaigns to conquer all of Hindustan. Additionally, the ambassadors were instructed to sway influential courtiers in Timur's court to support Firuz Shah's cause. Their efforts proved successful, as Timur agreed to accept Firuz Shah's offer of nominal suzerainty and bestowed sovereignty over Malwa and Gujarat upon him. From his end, Timur reciprocated by sending a royal robe, a Turki slave, and four Syrian horses of unparalleled quality, surpassing any previously witnessed in the Deccan region.[7]
The rulers of the Malwa Sultanate, Gujarat Sultanate, and Khandesh Sultanate, upon learning of the alliance between Firuz Shah and Timur, conveyed to Timur that they considered themselves as brothers to the Bahmanis. However, behind the scenes, they clandestinely sent a message to Harihara II, the reigning monarch of Vijayanagar, expressing their willingness to provide active military assistance whenever they are in trouble with the Bahmanis. However, Firuz came to know about the secret message sent by the Sultanates to Vijayanagar.[8][7]
Revolt at Kherla
After the war of 1398, Firuz Shah relocated to Kherla, where he had encountered a revolt prior to the conflict. The local ruler of Mahur surrendered to him, having previously aligned with Narsingh Rai, the Rajput leader of the rebellion. From there, Firuz dispatched a letter to Narsingh demanding tribute, but Narsingh adamantly refused, prompting a battle between them. Firuz then moved to Ellichpur, where the decisive battle took place, resulting in the death of prominent Bahmani amirs such as Shuja‘at Khan, Bahadur Khan, Dilawar Khan, and Rustam Khan. Firuz himself took to the battlefield to lead his forces.[9]
Firuz emerged victorious over the Rajputs, capturing Narsingh's son Kaushal Singh as a prisoner of war. Narsingh then retreated to the fort of Kherla, where Bahmani forces besieged him. Eventually, Narsingh surrendered to Firuz, agreeing to pay tribute. The siege lasted for two months, after which Narsingh laid down his arms and personally approached the Sultan at Ellichpur, pleading to accept tribute as his ancestors on the Gulbarga throne had done before him.[9] Additionally, Narsingh requested that his daughter be taken into the royal palace as one of the royal servants and offered forty elephants, five maunds of gold, and fifty maunds of silver as gifts. In return, Firuz restored Kherla to Narsingh, appointed him as an amir of the kingdom, and bestowed upon him robes of state, including an embroidered cap.[10]
Struggle of succession at Vijayanagar
After the passing of Harihara II in 1404, a succession struggle ensued among his sons, including Virupaksha Raya I, Bukka Raya II, Deva Raya I, Sadasiva Raya, and Ramachandra Raya. Virupaksha eventually ascended to the throne and ruled for a brief period, during which he conducted military campaigns in the southern regions, adding to the empire's conquests.[11] Bukka Raya II, the sibling of Virupaksha, seized the throne from Virupaksha and ruled for a span of two years.[1] The rule of Bukka Raya II was short-lived, as he was succeeded by his brother Deva Raya I in 1406.[1]
With Deva Raya I ascending the throne, the Vijayanagar Empire gained a capable and energetic leader. Under his reign, the empire reached its zenith of power. Deva Raya, along with his supporters, saw themselves as champions of Hindu civilization, with a dynamic system that unified the diverse elements of the south and aimed to push back against Muslim invasions. This sentiment had been growing during the reign of Harihara II but was fully realized under Deva Raya's leadership. His resolute military prowess contrasted with the perceived incompetence of his predecessors, particularly Bukka II, ultimately leading to his ascension to the throne. This marked the beginning of a new era for the empire.[12] Bahmani Governor's army, defeated him and forced him to retreat. The Governor was able to collect reinforcements and set out again. The invaders, not realizing they were being followed by a defeated army, became careless. As a result, the Governor managed to surprise and completely defeat them, with the loss of over one-third of their number, before they could recross the Tungabhadra river.[13]
Reference
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ghorpade, M. S. History Of Mudhol State. p. 52. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":2" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Bingham, Woodbridge; Conroy, Hilary; Iklé, Frank William (1964). A History of Asia. Allyn and Bacon. p. 220.
- ↑ Jaques, Tony (2006-11-30). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8,500 Battles from Antiquity through the Twenty-first Century [3 volumes]. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 1075. ISBN 978-0-313-02799-4.
- ↑ Farooqui, Salma Ahmed (2011). A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: Twelfth to the Mid-eighteenth Century. Pearson Education India. p. 117. ISBN 978-81-317-3202-1.
- ↑ Allan, John Andrew; Dodwell, Henry Herbert; Haig, Wolseley (1943). The Cambridge Shorter History of India. University Press. pp. 283–286.
- ↑ A Comprehensive History of India: The Delhi Sultanat, A.D. 1206-1526, edited by Mohammad Habib and Khaliq Ahmad Nizami. People's Publishing House. 1970. p. 977.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Watson, Adam (1964). The War of the Goldsmith's Daughter. Chatto & Windus. pp. 138–140.
- ↑ Sherwani 1985, p. 159.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Sherwani, Haroon Khan (1985). The Bahmanis of the Deccan. Munshiram Manoharlal. pp. 108–110.
- ↑ Chandra, Satish (2004). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals-Delhi Sultanat (1206-1526) - Part One. Har-Anand Publications. p. 184. ISBN 978-81-241-1064-5.
- ↑ Natarajan, B. (1994). Tillai and Nataraja. Mudgala Trust.
- ↑ Watson 1964, p. 153.
- ↑ Watson 1964, pp. 158-159.