Sack of Bijapur

Sack of Bijapur took place when Krishnadevaraya advanced to Bijapur after the Sultan avoided meeting him, occupied the city, and stayed in the Adil Shah’s palace while his troops ruined much of it. The Bijapuri army cut off water supplies, forcing him to retreat. Ismail Adil Shah returned only after the withdrawal, mourning the city’s devastation.

Sack of Bijapur
Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire
Date 25 May 1520 Location Bijapur, (modern day Karnataka, India) Result Bijapuri victory
Belligerents
Vijayanagara Empire	Sultanate of Bijapur
Commanders and leaders
Krishnadevaraya	Ismail Adil Shah
Strength
Modern estimates 70,000 infantry 30,000 cavalry 550 war elephants Contemporary source 132,000 soldiers 32,000 cavalry 550 elephants Portuguese contingent	Modern estimates 8000 infantry 400 horses 20 elephants 200 Maratha cavalry Contemporary source 120,000 Infantry 18,000 Cavalry 150 elephants

Background

Main article: Battle of Raichur

When the city of Raichur surrendered, Krishnadevaraya made a triumphal entry into it. Krishnadevaraya was brutal towards Bahmani Generals of Raichur. Many Bahmani generals lost their lands. The other Muslim kings sent envoys to the emperor on hearing of his success and received a haughty reply. He took prisoner three sons of a former king of the Bahmani dynasty, who had been held captive by the Adil Shah and he proclaimed the eldest as king of the Deccan.

Sack

After reaching Mudgal, Krishnadevaraya awaited a meeting with the Sultan of Bijapur, but the latter avoided direct contact and delayed under various pretexts. Growing impatient, Krishnadevaraya advanced, eventually entering and occupying Bijapur. Expecting the Sultan’s submission, he remained in the city for several days. During this period, the Vijayanagara army and dismantled houses for fuel, leaving much of the city in ruins except for the Adil Shah’s palace, where the Raya resided. The Bijapuri army destroyed the reservoirs supplying water to the capital, As water shortages increased and the Sultan remained absent, Krishnadevaraya was forced to retreat. Ismail Adil Shah returned only after the Vijayanagara army’s departure, lamenting the devastation caused by his refusal to surrender.