Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1375–1378)

Bahmani–Vijayanagara War (1375–1378)
Part of Bahmani–Vijayanagar Wars
Date June 1375 – March 1378 Location Karnataka Result See § Aftermath
Belligerents
Bahmani Sultanate	Vijayanagara Empire
Commanders and leaders
Mujahid Shah (WIA) Daud Shah Bahmani Muqarrab Khan † Saifudin Ghori (POW) Prince Fath Khan (POW) Safdar Khan Sistani Amir-ul-Umra Bahadur Khan Azam-i-Humayun	Bukka Raya Chenappa Odeyar
Casualties and losses
Unknown	60,000–70,000 Prisoners captured from Vijayanagara

The Bahmani–Vijayanagar War of 1375–1378 between the Bahmani Sultanate and the Vijayanagara Empire began under the reign of Vijayanagara ruler Bukka Raya I, who faced renewed conflict with the Bahmani Sultanate, stemming from past territorial disputes. After a period of relative calm following previous military campaigns, tensions resurfaced when Mujahid, the Sultan of Gulbarga, demanded the surrender of forts and territories in the Doab region. Bukka, unwilling to concede, asserted his claim over the disputed territories.

This led to a series of clashes, with both sides mobilizing their forces. Bukka adopted defensive tactics, avoiding direct confrontation and retreating to the hills, while Mujahid's forces ravaged the countryside. Eventually, the conflict escalated into a siege of Vijayanagar, marked by fierce battles and strategic maneuvers. Amidst the chaos, internal strife within the Bahmani Sultanate resulted in Mujahid's assassination and Daud's brief but tumultuous rule. Meanwhile, Bukka capitalized on the instability, expanding Vijayanagara's territory and advancing towards the Krishna River. However, shortly thereafter, Bukka passed away, leaving his son Harihara to inherit the throne amidst a landscape of shifting alliances and ongoing conflict.

Clashes

Map showing Raichur Doab.

In response to the impending Bahmani army's advance, Bukka adopted a familiar strategy, positioning his forces along the banks of the Tungabhadra river. Upon learning of these defensive measures, the Bahmani Sultan divided his troops into three groups, assigning one to lay siege to Adoni, another to Vijayanagar, and leading the third himself to confront Bukka's forces. However, Bukka once again opted to avoid direct confrontation, retreating to the rugged terrain of the Setu-Bundh-Rameshwar hills.

The Sultan directed Safdar Khan Sistani to initiate a siege on the Adoni. Meanwhile, Amir-ul-Umra, Bahadur Khan and Azam-i-Humayun were tasked with advancing towards Vijayanagar. The Sultan himself embarked on a journey towards Gangawati on the Tungabhadra, proceeding slowly as he had received information about Bukka's encampment in that area. This action made it challenging for the Sultan's forces to pursue him effectively.

Over the course of six months, Bukka continued to evade the enemy, while Mujahid's army ravaged the surrounding countryside, desecrating Hindu temples in their path. Eventually, Bukka's health, as well as that of his family, began to deteriorate due to the hardships of forest life. Consequently, he decided to return to Vijayanagar through an alternate route, where he prepared to defend the city. The Bahmani Sultan swiftly followed suit, joining his besieging forces and engaging in a blockade around the walls of Vijayanagar.

Siege of Vijayanagar

The siege of Vijayanagar commenced with full force, marked by various degrees of success. According to Ferista, Mujahid managed to penetrate the suburbs and outer fortifications on one occasion, where he ordered the destruction of a renowned temple. In the battle, Azam-i Humayun led the left flank, while Bahadur Khan commanded the right. Muqarrab Khan, son of Safdar Khan Sistani, oversaw the artillery. Muqarrab Khan directed the bombardment of the enemy with gun carriages, nearly routing them. However, the tide turned when the Raya arrived with a massive army of eight thousand cavalry and six lacs of infantry. The ensuing conflict resulted in a general massacre, during which Muqarrab Khan was killed.

Dawud Khan, the Sultan’s cousin, joined the fray with seven thousand infantry, fighting valiantly despite losing three horses and being forced to the ground. Despite their brave efforts, the besiegers were kept at bay. Shortly thereafter, Chenappa Odeyar arrived with reinforcements, including 20,000 horsemen and a large contingent of foot soldiers from the provinces, bolstered the defense under the leadership of the Raya. Additionally, the strategic blunder committed by Daud, the Sultan’s uncle, who abandoned a crucial post at Dhonnasandra, further compounded the Muslims' predicament by cutting off their retreat. Faced with a perilous situation, The enemy forces capitalized on Daud Khan's actions, seizing the abandoned position and posing a serious threat to the Sultan's retreat. For five or six months, Mujahid pursued him through the jungles of the Carnatic, but was unable to engage him in battle. Eventually, Bukka managed to evade him and seek refuge in Vijayanagar. Mujahid continued his pursuit, breached the outer defenses of the city, and defeated successive Hindu forces sent against him. Consequently, the Sultan decided to withdraw from the battlefield, employing strategic actions to ensure the safe extraction of his entire army from the hills, during the retreat from Vijayanagar, the Sultan eventually laid siege to Adoni.

Daud Khan's failure to hold a defile, which he was entrusted to defend, jeopardized their retreat. Despite this, they managed to force their way through the defile and withdrew towards Adoni with sixty or seventy thousand captives, whose lives were spared according to the pact made by his father. The Vijayanagar forces captured two Muslim officers, Saifudin Ghori and Prince Fath Khan, and imprisoned them. Bukka was afraid to pursue them, and Mujahid besieged Adoni for nine months. Just as the city was about to surrender, the onset of the rainy season replenished the garrison's water supply, causing distress in the besiegers' camp. Saif-ud-din Ghuri persuaded Mujahid to lift the siege, and peace was established with Bukka. Subsequently, Mujahid set out for his capital.