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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 [[Hindus|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.{{Sfn|Watson|1964|p=153}} | 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 [[Hindus|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.{{Sfn|Watson|1964|p=153}} | ||
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.{{sfn|Watson|1964|pp=158-159}} | 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.{{sfn|Watson|1964|pp=158-159}} | ||
== Prelude == | |||
=== The goldsmith's daughter=== | |||
[[File:Mudgal fort 3.jpg|thumb|A fort at Mudgal]] | |||
During the early weeks of Deva Raya's reign, an elderly [[Brahmin]] appeared at his court, bearing a tale that captured Deva Raya's imagination. The Brahmin recounted his recent pilgrimage to [[Varanasi|Benares]] on the [[Ganges]], during which he passed through the city of [[Mudgal]] in the Doab. There, he learned of a goldsmith who resided in a nearby village and boasted a daughter of extraordinary beauty. Intrigued, the Brahmin decided to visit the goldsmith's home, where he was warmly welcomed. When Deva Raya I learned of the remarkable talents of his host's daughter, he expressed a desire to meet her.{{Sfn|Watson|1964|p=154}}{{Sfn|Sherwani|1985|p=160}} Upon seeing the daughter, named Parthal, the Brahmin was astounded by her surpassing beauty. He was so impressed that he decided to adopt her as his own child, eighteen months prior, in the summer of 1405. The Brahmin devoted himself to teaching Parthal music and dancing, skills in which he was an instructor in the temples. Remarkably, Parthal displayed a proficiency in these arts that matched her physical beauty, leading the Brahmin to believe that the gods had crafted her to be perfect in every aspect.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_9cmAQAAMAAJ |title=A Comprehensive History of India: The Delhi Sultanat (A.D. 1206-1526), ed. by Mohammad Habib and Khaliq Ahmad Nizami |date=1970 |publisher=People's Publishing House |pages=981 |language=en}}</ref>{{Sfn|Watson|1964|p=154}} | |||
The Brahmin informed the Deva Raya that, in accordance with tradition, her parents had initially intended to arrange her [[Engagement|betrothal]] in her childhood to a young man of her caste. However, she had fervently pleaded for the postponement of the ceremony, leading to the abandonment of the plan. Consequently, the Brahmin explained, this beautiful maiden remained unmarried. Now, thanks to his teachings, she possessed the ability to adorn any position, no matter how esteemed, even within Vijayanagar itself.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6x8LAQAAIAAJ |title=History: Mediaeval period |date=1967 |publisher=Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra State |pages=25 |language=en}}</ref> The Brahmin's narrative ignited Deva Raya's imagination, and he expressed a strong desire to have her as his own. However, the Brahmin insisted that his foster daughter should not be reduced to a mere [[Concubinage|royal concubine]] or risk descending into the role of a [[Sacred prostitution|temple prostitute]]. The Emperor must extend to her an honorable marriage proposal. Eventually, it was settled that the Brahmin would return to Mudgal as the envoy of the Vijayanagar Raya, bearing lavish gifts for the girl's parents. Along with these gifts, he would present an offer of marriage to their daughter, bestowing upon her the esteemed title of [[Rani]], or Princess.{{Sfn|Watson|1964|p=156}} | |||
===The marriage proposal=== | |||
The Brahmin proceeded to Mudgal and conveyed to the parents the immense opportunity awaiting their daughter by entering the Raya's zenana. Upon arrival, the Brahmin conveyed the Raya's commands to Parthal's parents, assuring them that the Doab rightfully belonged to the Vijayanagar Empire. He urged them to promptly obey the commands of their rightful sovereign and accompany their daughter to the capital. Overjoyed by this stroke of good fortune, the parents eagerly presented the princely gifts of the Emperor to Parthal, congratulating her on her elevation from the humble caste of goldsmith to the esteemed position of the bride of the Vijayanagar ruler. Subsequently, the Brahmin attempted to adorn her with a golden necklace adorned with jewels, symbolizing the unbreakable pledge of betrothal.{{Sfn|Watson|1964|p=156}} However, Parthal herself vehemently rejected the idea and adamantly refused to leave Mudgal. She explained to her parents that once a girl entered the Raya's palace, she never returned in her lifetime and never saw her parents again.{{Sfn|Sherwani|1985|p=160}} | |||
Despite her resolution and tears, Parthal's parents were deeply moved, as they had been on a previous occasion. Ultimately, they reluctantly informed the Brahmin that they were unwilling to resort to force, returning the necklace along with the other gifts. Consequently, the Brahmin was compelled to return to Vijayanagar, reporting the unexpected failure of his mission.{{Sfn|Watson|1964|p=157}} | |||
Once the Brahmin had departed, the goldsmith's daughter gradually confided in her parents, revealing additional reasons for her refusal. She expressed concerns about the stability of the Vijayanagar throne, noting that two rulers had died in the past two years. She had spoken to individuals who had witnessed events in Vijayanagar during those tumultuous times. She explained that the practice of Sati was particularly horrifying in Vijayanagar, where numerous women were immolated upon the death of the Raya. For instance, at Harihara II's funeral, hundreds, if not thousands, of women, including all his queens, many of whom were young girls like herself, had been sacrificed. While some believed these princesses regarded it as an honor, she did not share this perspective. Parthal refused to marry the new ruler, who had recently seized the throne and might not hold onto it for long.{{Sfn|Watson|1964|p=157}} | |||
Furthermore, Parthal disclosed that she had long held an inner conviction that she would one day wed a prince of the [[Islam]]ic faith. Although she did not reveal what had instilled this conviction or if she had a specific prince in mind, she remained steadfast in her belief.{{Sfn|Watson|1964|p=157}} | |||
===Aftermath of the rejection=== | |||
[[File:Karnataka topo deu.png|thumb|The map of [[Karnataka]], including the [[Tungabhadra river]]]] | |||
Upon the old Brahmin's return to Vijayanagar and his recounting of the failed mission, Deva Raya erupted in anger. He adamantly refused to accept defeat in such a manner, fearing ridicule within his own court. Accustomed to having his every command promptly obeyed, he could not tolerate being thwarted. Declaring his intention to satisfy his desires by force, Deva Raya announced to the Brahmin and his court that he would seize the girl who had rejected his engagement necklace, even if she resided beyond the [[Tungabhadra River]]. Moreover, he viewed this incident as aligning with his broader strategy for reclaiming the Doab, almost interpreting it as an auspicious sign.{{Sfn|Watson|1964|p=158}} | |||
Deva Raya, despite the counsel of his advisors, he resolved to take action. He mobilized an army of thirty thousand soldiers and commanded five thousand cavalry, along with a sizable infantry force, to cross the [[Tungabhadra River]]. Their mission was to advance on Mudgal, kidnap the girl, and bring her back to his capital, thus violating the recently forged treaty between his father Harihara II and the Bahmani Sultan Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah.{{sfn|Sherwani|1985||p=161-162}} | |||
Upon hearing that a Vijayanagar army had crossed the river, the goldsmith and the people of Mudgal chose to abandon their homes and seek refuge in the jungle. To safeguard their lives, they relocated to the territories of the Bahmanis. Failing to locate their intended target, the Vijayanagar army resorted to pillaging and plundering as they retreated.{{sfn|Sherwani|1985||p=161-163}}{{Sfn|Watson|1964|p=158}} | |||
=== Repelling the Vijayanagar army from Tungabhadra=== | |||
Upon hearing about the invasion of Vijayanagar, the Bahmani Governor of Mudgal named Faulad Khan, came to defend the Doab.{{sfn|Sherwani|1985|pp=160-161}} However, the Vijayanagar forces, who were numerically superior to the 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.{{sfn|Watson|1964|pp=158-159}} | |||
==Reference== | ==Reference== | ||
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