Saturday, September 26, 2015

Vijayanagara Sangama Dynasty

Foundation and early history:
The Sangama Dynasty was founded by Harihara I and Bukka. Their father had been taken prisoner in 1327 by Muhammad bin Tughluq. They converted to the Hindu religion, abandoning Islam, and founded Vijayanagara in 1336.[1]

Genealogy or the Family chart of the Sangama Dynasty



Successors:
Bukka's successor, Harihara II, continued Bukka's campaign through southern India and managed to take control of coastal Andhra between Nellore and Kalinga and conquer the Addanki and Srisailam areas as well as most of the territory between the peninsula to the south of the Krishna River. Harihara II also managed to conquer many Indian ports such as that of Goa, Chaul, and Dabhol.


After Harihara II died the throne was in conflict between Virupaksha Raya, Bukka Raya II, and Deva Raya of which Deva Raya eventually would come out as victor. During his reign, Deva Raya managed to successfully control the vast amount of territory in the empire. The kings after Deva Raya on the other hand did not manage to do anything significant at all for the kingdom. This was until Deva Raya II, who would bring about the golden age of the Sangama Dynasty. Under Deva Raya II's rule, the empire would succeed in completely conquering southern India such as conquering Kondavidu, defeating the ruler of Quilon as well as other chieftains, extending the empire from Odisha to Malabar and from Ceylon to Gulbarga, and also taking over a lot of the major Indian ports. However after Deva Raya II, his incompetent successors would eventually lead to the destruction of the dynasty with the Bahamani Kingdoms continually taking over much of the Vijayanaga territory. Virupaksha Raya II was the last emperor of the dynasty.