Question

from which sources did we come to know about the Vijayanagara empire?

Answer 1

The ‘Vijayanagara’ or ‘City of Victory’ was the name of the city as well as an empire which was founded by two brothers, Harihara and Bukka in 1336 AD. The Vijayanagara kings competed with contemporary rulers like Sultans of Deccan and the Gajapati rulers of Orissa (Now Odisha). The sources of Vijayanagar empire history include accounts of foreign travellers, Indigenous Works (local vernacular literature), and archaeological excavations.

Sources of Vijayanagar Empire

Sources

Literary Works

Information

Foreign Traveller Accounts

 

Rehlatar Tuhfat-un-Nuzzat by Ibn Batuta

Account of the empire under Harihara I

Matla as Sadain Wa Majma ul Bahrain by Abdur Razzaq

An account of the reign of Devaraya II

An Account of Countries Bordering the Indian Ocean and their Inhabitants by Duarte Barbosa

Vivid account of Vijaynagara governance under Krishna Deva Raya

Dominigo Paes gave most detailed accounts of all historic descriptions of ancient city Hampi

Governance under Krishna Deva Raya of Vijyanagara Empire

Fernao Nuniz gave detailed account on the history of Vijaynagar.

Mentioned the cultural aspects of the empire and admire the jewels worn of women as well as how women were appointed in the King's service and also detail account on the foundation of the city

Indigenous Works

1. Manucharitam by Allasani Peddan

2. Gangdas Pratapa Vilasam by Gangadhara

3. Amuktarmalyada by Krishnadeva Raya

Polity and political ideas of the rulers society and the caste system

Archaeological Sources

Salu Vabhyudyam by Rajanatha Dindima

1. A contemporary drama, deals with siege of Vijayanagara city by the Brahmins and the Gajapatis of Odisha after the death of Deva Raya II

2. Historical eulogy of Saluva Dynasty

Inscriptions

Bagapellisi Copper Plate Inscription

Achievement of Harihara I

Bitragunta grant of Sangama II

Genealogy of 5 Sangama Brothers

Channa Raya Pateeka Inscription of harihara II

Successful invasions of Bukka I

Srirangam Copper Plates of Deva Raya II

Achievements of Bukka I

Devulapalli Copper Plates of Immadi Narasimha

Genealogy of Saluva Dynasty

The most striking feature about the location of Vijayanagara is the natural basin formed by the river Tungabhadra which flows in a northeasterly direction. The history of the Vijayanagara Empire was recovered through the efforts of Mr. R Sewell, who was Keeper of the Madras Record Office and was tasked with responsibility for documenting ancient inscriptions and remains in the region. From the above sources, we know how the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire maintained the well-functioning administrative methods developed by their predecessors and also their style of architecture.

Answer 2

Answer:

Some of the people who wrote travelogues are : Ibn battutah about Muhammad bin tughlug, Marco Polo about balban, Abdul razzaq about the vijayanagara kingdom.