Krishnadevaraya

Krishnadevaraya Biography

Krishnadevaraya was a prominent ruler and emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire who reigned from 1509–1529 CE. He belonged to Tuluva Dynasty and is one of the prominent rulers from Karnataka state and a dominant ruler of the peninsula of India by defeating many great rulers of his neighbouring states. He was one of the most powerful Hindu rulers too. He earned many popular titles during his reign like Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana, Andhra Bhoja and Mooru Rayara Ganda. His rule witnessed productive literature in languages like Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada and Tamil. Eight poets known as Astadiggajalu formed a part of his court. Famous mathematician Nilakantha Somayaji and poet Tenali Rama Krishna belonged to his court. His period marked several military successes in Vijayanagara history and his rule of 21 years is described as the golden age in the medieval south India.

He was the son of Tuluva Narasa Nayaka, born in Hampi Karnataka on 16 February 1471. He took the power of the kingdom on 26 July 1509. The first decade of his rule witnessed so many bloody wars and violence. Bahamani Sultans, Gajapatis of Odisha and the Portuguese were his main enemies. In 1509 he clashed with the Sultan of Bijapur at Diwani. He was an excellent administrator and a patron of arts too. he gave severe punishments to corrupt officers and abolished many unwanted taxes.  He also maintained high level of physical fitness through daily exercises. He is praised as the destroyer of the Turks by none other than Muku Timmana, noted poet.

He respected all sects of Hinduism, though he was a Vaishnavite. He spent huge sums of money to build many expensive objects in the famous Thirupathi temple. His reign is considered the golden age of Telugu literature. Eight poets collectively known as Astadiggajalu was a part of his court. He patronized many poets belonging to Kannada and Telugu languages as well.

His missing throne still remains an unsolved puzzle to many. In 1954 he made his son Tirumala Raya the Yuvaraja. But he was poisoned to death. Before his death he announced his brother, Achyuta Deva Raya as his successor. He was seriously ill during his final days and died before an attack on Belgaum. The ruins of Hampi still own a glorious story to tell about the great south Indian emperor – Krishnadevaraya.

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Updated: July 19, 2018