Vijaynagar and Deccani Sultanates

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Vijaynagar and Deccani Sultanates

• 1335/47-1660s

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Deccani Dynasties

• After the collapse of Khalji power, the Tughlaqs
  (1320-1414) were unable to hold on the south.
• By 1336 the brothers Harihara and Bukka, who were
  either captives or tributaries of Muhammad bin
  Tughlaq returned to the Deccan South and founded
  the kingdom of Vijaynagar
• Other parts of the Deccan were claimed by a
  former Turkish soldier Hassan Kangu, a nephew of
  Ala-ud-din Khaljis general. He gave himself the
  name Ala-ud-din Hassan Bahmani Shah, founding the
  Bahmani kingdom
• Later his own generals would set up five separate
  kingdoms Bijapur, Berar, Bidar, Ahmadnagar,
  Golconda

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Raichur Doab
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Origin Myths and historiographies

• Since each of the Deccani dynasties were from
  relatively humble origins, each dynasty created
  an origin mythpatronage of Bhramins (Bahamani),
  descent from Persian Emperor (Bijapur),
  patronage/persecution by Tughlaqs (Vijaynagar).
• In actual fact each of these dynasties
  represented the warrior traditions of
  Sultanate-era South AsiaNayakas, Turkish
  soldiers, Persian emigrants
• In todays history the past of these dynasties is
  written in communalist tones as a massive
  Hindu/Muslim conflict. The evidence from this
  period does not support such a simplistic
  argument, the past was much more complex.

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The Deccan and its politics

• Each of these kingdoms was a multi-ethnic,
  multi-lingual, and multi-religious societyeven
  Muslims were as likely to be Shia as Sunni
• The kings personal ties could not be made part
  of official policyall groups had to be
  incorporated into public life.
• Officials from the 5 sultanates and Vijaynagar
  were a mix of Hindu and Muslim
• The boundaries of these kingdoms closely follow
  the earlier regional boundaries, suggesting
  geographical issues continued to be important

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Reason for fluid alliances

• Since all six kingdoms relied heavily on trade
  revenue, an open policy vis-à-vis other groups
  was essential
• The growth of Military Fiscalism also meant that
  ties with Central Asia, the Middle East, and
  European companies had to be preserved to ensure
  a supply of war horses and canons.
• Strategic interests dictated a system of open
  alliancesas the Raichur doab was the bone of
  contention among the six kingdoms, each of the
  sultanates formed alliances with Vijaynagar at
  some point, and when Vijaynagar became dominant,
  collaborated against it.

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Why does contemporary History see this as a
Hindu/Muslim conflict?

• Influence of British Orientalists such as Sewell,
  who produces the first English history of this
  era
• Early histories by Indian nationalists in the
  late 19th and early 20th century reflected the
  religious biases of that time
• Linguistic rivalry between regional
  nationalismsKannad versus Telugu
• Sources of the period when taken selectively,
  particularly in terms of religious legitimacy,
  can endorse this view

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What are the sources?

• Epigraphic inscriptions on rocks, caves, temples,
  copperplate grants
• Persian chronicles and Sanskrit literature from
  the courts (see Thursdays reading)
• Travelers accountsArab, Portuguese, and Dutch
  (see todays reading)
• Non-textual sources such as art, architecture,
  textiles, coins (see Wagoner)

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Vijaynagar
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Origins and expansion

• Link to Tughlaqs and Harihara and Bukka clear,
  however dispute over the nature of that link
• Four dynastiesSangama, Saluva (Saluva
  Narasimha), Tuluva (40 years), Aravidu
• Based on segmentary rule, centralized control was
  limited, local dynasties were incorporated into
  empire through ritual means. Similar
  segmentation and incorporation is seen in the
  five Deccani sultanates. Discuss why.

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Models of Rule

• Patronage of Nayaka warriors, recruitment of
  other southern warrior groups, Turkish, Afghan,
  and Portuguese mercenaries
• Older ruling families left in place as long as
  tribute was paid (notice similarities/differences
  with iqta system)
• Considerable grants given to Brahmins tax free,
  particularly by Tuluva dynasty
• Great emphasis on preserving trade revenues
• A warrior ethic cultivated as part of ruling
  ideology, energies of this culture oriented to
  the borders of this kingdom.

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Krishnadeva Raya 1509-1529

• Most important ruler of Saluvas
• Expands military recruitment and purchases
• Expands Empire greatly, builds alliances with
  Portuguese and other Sultanates
• Builds monumental temples and tries to create
  legitimacy through patronage of Brahmins

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Virupaksha Temple
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Consequences of Expansion

• After Krishnadeva Raya many of his reforms were
  undone by his successors
• Military expansion was expensivecontinued
  purchases of horses and expensive weaponry
  demanded more revenue
• Kings increasingly had to rely on greater
  recruitment of Nayaka warriorsinfighting among
  the various chiefs became endemic
• Alliances with one or more Deccani Sultanates was
  essentialhowever, as Vijaynagar expanded the
  Sultantes were more likely to see it as a rival
  not an ally. In 1565 the Sultanates form an
  alliance and defeat Vijaynagara, sacking the
  capital city
• The kingdom would continue until 1664 engulfed in
  disputes among the powerful nayaka families

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Important legacies

• Conquest, politics, and religious legitimacy have
  dominated modern histories, but none are as
  significant to the actual legacy of Vijaynagar
  and the Deccani Sultanates
• More important is the Multi-lingual/ethnic
  cosmopolitan culture that these left behind
• Strong patronage for the written arts fostered
  learning in Sanskrit and Persian, but also in the
  regional languages such as Kannada, Telugu,
  Tamil. Also gave rise to the Deccani dialect of
  Urdu
• Fostered the growth of trading networks,
  increased contact with Europe, Africa, Middle
  east, East Asia
• Profits from trade lead to greater urbanization
  and economic growth
• Short term conflicts proved less significant than
  the long-term collaboration between local
  dynasties/warrior groups, which would strongly
  oppose the incursion of Mughal power in the 16th
  and 17th century.

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Art as a Historical Source
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Reminder Research Project

• Start taking notes on your sources as you read
  them (annot. Bibliography due 2/13)
• Write a one paragraph summary when you finish a
  source and it is still fresh in your mind
• Weigh the strengths and weaknesses of the
  book/article as a source for your research
• Tip book reviews are helpful in some cases, if
  you use them, add citation to your bibliography,
  and also at the end of your annot. bibliography