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Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1443): Difference between revisions
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=== Record of Abd al-Razzaq about Vijayanagara === | === Record of Abd al-Razzaq about Vijayanagara === | ||
Shortly after the war, [[Abd al-Razzaq Samarqandi|Abd-ur-Razzaq]], the ambassador of [[Shah Rukh]] from [[Samarkand|Samarqand]], who had spent some time in [[Kozhikode|Calicut]], visited Vijayanagara and stayed in the capital for a few months. According to his account, by 1442, the fortifications, temples, palaces, and public buildings of Vijayanagara had been completed. The city occupied an area of approximately sixty-four square miles, with seven enclosures, the accepted number of circuits for a first-class city. The three outermost enclosures consisted of fields designated for cultivation, along with the huts of those working on the land. The four inner enclosures were occupied by houses, with the innermost enclosure containing the palace and its precincts. Several channels had been directed into the city from the [[Tungabhadra River]]; one of them is still known as the Räya channel. These channels served the dual purpose of cultivation and supplying water to the city. Despite the potential for exaggeration in Abd-ur-Razzaq's account, Vijayanagara under Devaraya II must have been a splendid city, boasting exceptional fortifications.{{Sfn|Rapson|1928|p=492}} | Shortly after the war, [[Abd al-Razzaq Samarqandi|Abd-ur-Razzaq]], the ambassador of [[Shah Rukh]] from [[Samarkand|Samarqand]], who had spent some time in [[Kozhikode|Calicut]], visited Vijayanagara and stayed in the capital for a few months. According to his account, by 1442, the fortifications, temples, palaces, and public buildings of Vijayanagara had been completed. The city occupied an area of approximately sixty-four square miles, with seven enclosures, the accepted number of circuits for a first-class city. The three outermost enclosures consisted of fields designated for cultivation, along with the huts of those working on the land. The four inner enclosures were occupied by houses, with the innermost enclosure containing the palace and its precincts. Several channels had been directed into the city from the [[Tungabhadra River]]; one of them is still known as the Räya channel. These channels served the dual purpose of cultivation and supplying water to the city. Despite the potential for exaggeration in Abd-ur-Razzaq's account, Vijayanagara under Devaraya II must have been a splendid city, boasting exceptional fortifications.{{Sfn|Rapson|1928|p=492}} | ||
== Prelude == | |||
[[File:Raichur Doab.jpg|Map of the Deccan India|thumb]] | |||
In 1435, immediately following the accession of Alauddin II, he launched a war against Vijayanagara. The King of Vijayanagara had withheld payment of tribute to the Bahmanis, which had been in arrears for five years. Consequently, Alauddin sent his brother Muhammad Khan and his [[Amir al-umara|Amirul Umara]] Imadul Mulk to demand tribute by force. Additionally, another reason for the conflict was that Deva Raya II, the king of Vijayanagara, had wrongfully seized [[Anegundi]], a Bahmani fort.{{Sfn|Nizami|1970|p=987}}{{Sfn|Sarma|1992|p=59}} | |||
As the Bahmani army advanced, they ravaged the Vijayanagara countryside and caused significant devastation. With no other option left, Deva Raya was compelled to sue for peace. Consequently, the Sultan granted peace terms, which included the exchange of twenty elephants, a substantial sum of money, and two hundred females skilled in music and dancing. Additionally, valuable presents were given to Prince Muhammad Khan as part of the peace agreement.{{Sfn|Sarma|1992|p=60}} | |||
=== Rebellion of Muhammad Khan === | |||
While returning home from Vijayanagara, Muhammad Khan halted for a few days at [[Mudgal]]. During his stay, he was approached by individuals who were hostile to the interests of his own dynasty. Discontented officers from his own army informed him that it was his late father's wish for him to rule the country jointly with his brother. They claimed that his brother had marginalized him to a subordinate role. They suggested that it was only appropriate for him to demand a partition of the kingdom and receive his rightful share.{{Sfn|Nizami|1970|p=987}} Muhammad Khan was swayed by these proposals and, influenced by them, he executed Imadul-Mulk and sought assistance from Deva Raya of Vijayanagara. Deva Raya, likely the instigator of the conspiracy himself, readily provided Muhammad Khan with the assistance he sought. In doing so, he attempted to achieve through deceit what he had failed to achieve on the battlefield. The prince promptly seized several forts, including Mudgal, [[Raichur]], [[Solapur|Sholapur]], and [[Naldurg|Naldrug]], and even crowned himself at a location along the banks of the Krishna River.{{Sfn|Sherwani|1985|p=232}} Alauddin had to personally move to the south to confront his brother. Despite Muhammad's defeat, he was pardoned and granted the jagir of Rajachal.{{Sfn|Nizami|1970|p=988}} | |||
Deva Raya of Vijayanagara was reeling from the defeat inflicted upon him by Prince Muhammad and had also been unsuccessful in his attempts to manipulate the prince against his brother. Around 1442, he started to contemplate that perhaps his weakness on the battlefield had contributed to these setbacks, prompting him to embark on reforms for his fighting forces. The nature and implementation of these reforms are an intriguing episode. These were the events that prompted him to recruit Muslim soldiers in his army.{{Sfn|Sherwani|1985|p=236}} | |||
{{Quote|text="About this time Dew Ray (Deva Raya) of Beejanuggar (Vijayanagar) summoned a council of his nobility and principle brahmins; observing to them that as his country (the [[Carnatic region|Carnatic]]), in extent, population and revenue, far exceeded that of the house of Bahmuny (Bahmani), and also as his army was more numerous, he requested them to point out the cause of the successes of the Mahomedans (Muslims) and of his being reduced to pay them tribute. Some said that the Almighty had decreed to them a superiority over the Hindoos (Hindus) for thirty thousand years, a circumstance which was foretold to them in their own writings Others said that the superiority of the Muslims arose out of two circumstances: first, that their horses were stronger; ... .secondly, that a great body of excellent archers were always maintained by the kings of the house of Bahmuny Dew Ray, upon this, gave orders to enlist Mussulmans (Muslims) in his service, allotting them estates, and erecting a mosque for their use in the city of Beejanuggur . He also commended that no one should molest them in the exercise of their religion, and moreover, he ordered a Quran to be placed before his throne on a rich desk, so that the faithful might perform the ceremony of obeisance in his presence without sinning against their laws. He also made all the Hindoo soldiers learn the art of archery He could soon muster two thousand Mahomedans and sixty thousand Hindoos well skilled in archery, besides eighty thousand cavalry and two hundred thousand infantry, armed in the usual manner with pikes and lances."|author=[[John Briggs (East India Company officer)|John Briggs]], translation of [[Firishta]].|title=History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India|source={{sfn|Sherwani|1985|pp=236-237}}}} | |||
=== Assassination attempt on Deva Raya === | |||
Sometime after the aforementioned events, a significant incident occurred in Vijayanagara. A brother of the king, driven by jealousy and perhaps harboring ambitions for the kingship, devised a plot to assassinate him.{{Sfn|Sherwani|1985|p=237}} Under the guise of hosting guests for the inauguration of his new house, he invited key state officials who were loyal to the king. As each guest arrived, they were discreetly dispatched by specially appointed assassins. Subsequently, the brother hurried to the palace and confronted the king, unleashing multiple violent blows upon him with a dagger. Believing Deva Raya to be dead, the assailant then proceeded to the palace portico and declared himself as the new king before the gathered crowd. The king, though severely wounded, was not dead and soon arrived at the scene.{{Sfn|Sarma|1992|p=60-61}} Upon presenting himself to his people, they apprehended the assassin and executed him. Following this, Deva Raya exacted vengeance on all those who had supported the murderer in this treacherous conspiracy. He ordered their capture and subjected them, along with their families, to gruesome tortures before putting them to death.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nagaraju |first=Hettagonahalli Masthigowda |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=By9uAAAAMAAJ |title=Devaraya II and His Times: History of Vijayanagara |date=1991 |publisher=Prasaranga, University of Mysore |pages=19–21 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
Viewing the situation as an opportunity, Alauddin decided to invade Vijayanagara as the promised seven lakhs of Tankas (Vijayanagara currency) were not paid by Deva Raya. Deva Raya's refusal to pay the tribute led to the renewal of war between the two parties.{{Sfn|Sherwani|1985|pp=237-238}} | |||
== The war == | |||
[[File:Mudgal fort 3.jpg|thumb|The Mudgal fort]] | |||
Deva Raya resolved to personally take the field and aimed to reclaim the [[Raichur]] Doab, which had been lost in the previous war. He dispatched his two sons, with one heading to Raichur and the other to [[Bankapura|Bankapur]], while he himself crossed the Tungabhadra River and seized Mudgal. Subsequently, he established his camp near the banks of the [[Krishna River]] and dispatched troops to raid Bahmani territories. The Vijayanagara troops conducted successful plundering raids, employing fire and sword to devastate everything in their path as far as [[Sagara, Karnataka|Sagar]] and [[Bijapur]].{{Sfn|Sarma|1992|p=61}} | |||
The Bahmani Sultan grew increasingly concerned and personally led his forces southward. Alauddin dispatched Khalaf Hasan Maliku't-Tujjar with the army of [[Daulatabad Fort|Daulatabad]] against the son of Deva Raya.{{Sfn|Nizami|1970|p=989}} The Bahmani forces consisted of 50,000 horsemen, and 60,000 Infantry. Additionally, he sent Khan-i Zaman Sarlashkar of [[Bijapur]] and Khan-i Zaman Sarlashkar of [[Berar Province|Berar]] against Deva Raya himself. Khalaf Khan successfully lifted the siege of Raichur against the son of Deva Raya II,{{Sfn|Sherwani|1985|p=238}} during which the latter sustained injuries. Subsequently, the wounded Vijayanagara prince retreated from the battlefield.{{Sfn|Sarma|1992|p=61}} | |||
With the Bahmani forces advancing, Deva Raya II withdrew to Mudgal, where his troops were stationed. Simultaneously, the second son of Deva Raya faced defeat at Bankapur and was forced to retreat as well.{{Sfn|Sarma|1992|p=61}} The two primary forces, led by Deva Raya II and Alauddin, clashed at Mudgal, engaging in a fierce battle. Initially, the Vijayanagara forces gained the upper hand, delivering a severe blow to the Bahmani forces. However, as the battle dragged on for two months, the Bahmani forces ultimately emerged victorious. The eldest son of Deva Raya, who had been wounded, was killed in the battle. Deva Raya managed to capture two officers of Alauddin, namely Fakhrul Mulk Dehlavi and his brother, before retreating to the safety of the Mudgal fort.{{Sfn|Sherwani|1985|pp=238-239}}{{Sfn|Sarma|1992|pp=61-62}} Upon learning of this, Alauddin sent a message to Deva Raya warning that if the two high-ranking officers were harmed, he would not hesitate to exact retribution by killing two lakh of his men when the time came. Deva Raya was not in a mood to continue the conflict furthermore. In response, Deva Raya said that he would pay tribute and stop fighting if the Sultan promises not to cross the frontier in the future.<ref>{{harvnb|Sherwani|1985|p=239}}: "On hearing this the Sultan sent a message to Deva Raya that if these two high officers were killed he would not deter from killing two lacs of his men to atone for their lives when time came. The Raya, evidently not in a mood to carry on the conflict any further, replied that he was willing to pay up all the arrears of tribute and to cease fighting if the Sultan promised that he would not cross the frontier in future. The Sultan agreed and treaty was forthwith signed, while Fakhru'l-Mulk was sent back to the Sultan's camp along with his brother and all the arrears of tribute duly paid."</ref> | |||
== Aftermath == | |||
After Deva Raya responded stating that he is ready to pay all the outstanding tribute and stop the war if the Sultan promises not to cross the frontier in the future, Alauddin agreed with these terms, and a treaty was promptly signed. Fakhru’l-Mulk, along with his brother, was returned to the Sultan's camp, and all overdue tribute payments were duly settled.<ref>{{harvnb|Sherwani|1985|p=239}}: "On hearing this the Sultan sent a message to Deva Raya that if these two high officers were killed he would not deter from killing two lacs of his men to atone for their lives when time came. The Raya, evidently not in a mood to carry on the conflict any further, replied that he was willing to pay up all the arrears of tribute and to cease fighting if the Sultan promised that he would not cross the frontier in future. The Sultan agreed and treaty was forthwith signed, while Fakhru'l-Mulk was sent back to the Sultan's camp along with his brother and all the arrears of tribute duly paid."</ref> | |||
According to Firishta, the two parties fought battles on three separate occasions within the space of two months. During the first encounter, Devaraya gained a massive victory, causing heavy casualties to the Bahmani army. However, the tide turned in the second battle, and after the third, the conflict ended with a peace treaty between them.<ref>{{Citation |last=Wagoner |first=Phillip B. |title=India, c.1200–c.1500 |date=2020 |work=The Cambridge History of War: Volume 2: War and the Medieval World |volume=2 |pages=498 |editor-last=Curry |editor-first=Anne |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/cambridge-history-of-war/india-c1200c1500/A9B0F7E07C20ECBA03C08BF4259B3849 |access-date=2025-02-16 |series=Cambridge History of War |place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-87715-2 |quote=Firishta notes that three engagements took place between the two armies in the space of two months, and that in the first, Devaraya emerged victorious after inflicting heavy losses on the Bahmani troops. Although the tide turned in the second engagement, and the conflict ultimately ended with a peace treaty after the third, the campaign seems to have marked the dawn of a new era for Vijayanagara's military culture. |editor2-last=Graff |editor2-first=David A.}}</ref> | |||
This marked the final conflict between Vijayanagara and the Bahmani kings, concluding the historical record of their interactions and relations with their southern neighbor.{{Sfn|Allan|1964|p=283}} Abd-ur-Razzaq visited Vijayanagara shortly after this war, where he embellished the city's grandeur, praising its splendid architecture and formidable fortifications. Deva Raya lived for six more years following these events, during which the only source of concern was the northern frontier, particularly due to the activities of the monarch of Orissa, the Gajapatis. Therefore, upon Devaraya II's demise, the kingdom remained in a highly satisfactory state and smoothly passed on to his eldest surviving son, Mallikarjuna, without any disputes. Devaraya II had lost one or two of his adult sons during the wars against the Bahmanis throughout his reign. Additionally, it is believed that during the massacre that culminated in the attempt on his life, one of his grown-up sons was also killed. Consequently, it is likely that Mallikarjuna ascended to the throne at a relatively young age.{{sfn|Rapson|1928|pp=492-493}} | |||
== Citations == | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
== Sources == | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Allan |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pMSFAAAAIAAJ |title=The Cambridge Shorter History of India |date=1964 |publisher=S. Chand |language=en}} | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Rapson |first=Edward James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fhJkPK1cJEQC |title=The Cambridge History of India: Turks and Afghans |date=1928 |publisher=Macmillan |language=en}} | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Sherwani |first=Haroon Khan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3kIeAAAAMAAJ |title=The Bahmanis of the Deccan |date=1985 |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal |language=en}} | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Sarma |first=P. Sree Rama |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TmhuAAAAMAAJ |title=A History of Vijayanagar Empire |date=1992 |publisher=Prabhakar Publications}} | |||
* {{Cite book |last=Nizami |first=Khaliq Ahmad |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 |language=en}} | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bahmani-Vijayanagar War (1443)}} | |||
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[[Category:History of Karnataka]] | |||
[[Category:Battles involving the Vijayanagara Empire]] | |||
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[[Category:Wars involving the Bahmani Sultanate]] | |||
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