Empire · 1336–1646 · Middle East & South Asia

Vijayanagara Empire

Also known as Vijayanagara

Vijayanagara was founded in 1336 by the brothers Harihara and Bukka of the Sangama dynasty, in the wake of the Delhi Sultanate's raids into southern India. From their capital on the Tungabhadra river they united the Hindu kingdoms of the south, and for two centuries fought the Bahmani sultanate and its successors for the fertile Raichur Doab.

Under Krishnadevaraya the empire covered almost all of India south of the Krishna river. Its capital was one of the largest and richest cities in the world, admired by Persian and Portuguese visitors for its markets, temples and waterworks. Revenue came from land and a busy trade in horses, spices and cotton. In 1565 the allied Deccan sultanates crushed its army at Talikota and sacked the capital, and the empire lingered in decline until 1646.

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Years

1336–1646

Capital

Vijayanagara (Hampi); later Penukonda, Chandragiri and Vellore

Greatest extent

1520, about 500,000 km²

Region

Middle East & South Asia

Under Krishnadevaraya, almost all of India south of the Krishna river (rough estimate; other estimates run to c. 880,000 km²)