what was the cause of constant struggle between Vijayanagar and bahmani kingdoms
Answers
Following were the important causes of the conflict between these two kingdoms:
I. Economic reasons:
These were as under:
(i) Possession of Tungbhadra Doab:
The territory between the rivers Tungbhadra and Krishna known as Tungbhadra Doab was very fertile. Each kingdom wanted to possess it.
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(ii) Control of Krishna-Godavri Delta:
This delta had two-fold significance. One, it was very fertile. Two, it had several important ports through which profitable trade was carried with several foreign countries like Ceylon, Indonesia, Malaya and Burma, etc. Both the powers wanted to have their supremacy over this territory.
(iii) Capture of Konkan or Western Coastal strip:
This was also a very fertile area and had important ports like Goa which were important outlets for foreign trade. Goa was especially important for the import of horses from Iran and Iraq. On account of these reasons, both the powers had their eyes on this area.
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II. Political Conflict:
Both the powers desired to extend their kingdom. Each considered the other as a danger to its existence.
III. Religious jealousy:
Ever since the conquest of Deccan by Malik Kafur, the vanquished Hindu rulers had nursed a feeling of deep resentment against the Muslim oppressors. This had resulted in the emergence of a great Hindu empire of Vijayanagara in the Deccan. On the contrary, the Bahamni rulers were Muslims. So there was a religious rivalry between the two kingdoms.
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IV. Possession of Diamond mines:
It is held by some, historians that diamond mines in the Golkunda region of the Bahamni empire tempted the rulers of Vijayanagara to establish their hold over this area.
V. Failure of diplomacy on the part of Rama Raya:
Sadasiva Raya (1542-70), the ruler of Vijayanagara was a very weak ruler and he played into the hands of his powerful minister Rama Raya. For a while, Rama Raya was able to make use of the rivalry of the five Muslim powers in the Deccan and weakened their power. But ultimately this policy failed and these states unified in the name of Islam.
VI. Growing power of Vijayanagara empire:
In due course, Vijayanagara had come to occupy a very important position in Southern India. It was able to suppress the power of the three Muslim Kingdoms of Ahmedabad, Golkunda and Bidar. The growing power of the Vijaynagara empire struck terror in the minds of Muslim Sultans of Deccan and forgetting their differences, four powers as already stated formed a confederacy and launched a struggle against Vijayanagara.