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{{Infobox monarch
|name = ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ / కృష్ణదేవరాయలు/Krishnadevaraya
|title = Emperor of [[Vijayanagara Empire]]
|image = Vijayanagara.jpg
|caption = A bronze statue of Emperor Krishnadevaraya
|reign = 26 July 1509–1529<ref name="Srinivasan1979">{{cite book|last=Srinivasan|first=C. R.|title=Kanchipuram Through the Ages|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=dJEcAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=25 July 2014|year=1979|publisher=Agam Kala Prakashan|page=200}}</ref>
|religion = [[Hinduism|Hindu]]
|othertitles =
|native_lang1 = [[Kannada language|Kannada]],<br>[[Tulu language|Tulu]],<br>[[Telugu language|Telugu]]
|native_lang1_name1=
|predecessor =[[Viranarasimha Raya]]
|successor =[[Achyuta Deva Raya]]
|suc-type =
|heir =
|queen = Chinna Devi<br>Tirumala Devi<br>Annapurna Devi
|consort =
|spouse 1 =
|issue =
|dynasty =[[Tuluva Dynasty]]
|royal anthem =
|father =[[Tuluva Narasa Nayaka]]
|mother =
|birth_date = 16 February 1471
|birth_place =Hampi, Karnataka
|death_date =1529
|Caste =KAPU
|death_place =
|date of burial =
|place of burial =Hampi, Karnataka
|}}
[[File:Kannada inscription (1509 AD) of Krishnadeva Raya at entrance to mantapa of Virupaksha temple in Hampi.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Kannada inscription dated 1509 A.D., of Krishnadeva Raya at the Virupaksha temple in Hampi describes his coronation and the construction of the large open mantapa]]
[[File:Kannada inscription of Krishnadeva Raya (1513 AD) at the Krishna temple in Hampi.JPG|thumb|upright|Kannada inscription, dated 1513 A.D., of Krishnadeva Raya at the Krishna temple in Hampi describes his victories against the Gajapati Kingdom of [[Odisha]].]]
{{Vijayanagara empire}}
'''Krishnadevaraya''' ([[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]] {{IAST|Kṛṣṇa Deva Rāya}}) was the greatest emperor of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] who reigned from 1509–1530.<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=109}}</ref> He is the third ruler of the [[Tuluva Dynasty]]. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by many Indians. Krishna Deva Raya earned the titles ''Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana'' (''lit'', "Lord of the Kannada empire"), ''Andhra Bhoja'' and ''Mooru Rayara Ganda'' (''lit'', "King of three Kings"). He became the dominant ruler of the peninsula of India by defeating the Sultans of Bijapur, Golconda, the [[Bahmani Sultanate]] and the Raja of [[Odisha]]. The great south Indian mathematician [[Nilakantha Somayaji]] also lived in the Empire of Krishnadevaraya.<ref>Different Types of History by Bharati Ray p.95</ref> He was the most powerful of all the Hindu rulers of India at that time.<ref>Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India by Jl Mehta p.118</ref> Indeed, when the [[Mughal emperors|Mughal]] [[Babur]] was taking stock of the potentates of north India, Krishnadevaraya was rated the most powerful and had the most extensive empire in the subcontinent.<ref>Keay, John, India: A History, New York: Harper Collins, 2000, p.302</ref>
[[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] travellers [[Domingo Paes]] and [[Fernao Nuniz]] also visited the [[Vijayanagara]] Empire during his reign. Krishna Deva Raya benefited from the able prime minister [[Timmarusu]], who was regarded by the emperor as a father figure and was responsible for his coronation. Krishna Deva Raya was the son of [[Tuluva Narasa Nayaka]],<ref name="parents">Prof K.A.N. Sastri, ''History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar'', 1955, pp 250,258</ref> an army commander under [[Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya]], who later took control of the empire to prevent its disintegration and became the founder of the [[Tuluva Dynasty]], the third [[Hinduism|Hindu]] Dynasty to rule [[Vijayanagara]]. The emperor's coronation took place on the birthday of Hindu God [[Krishna]]. He built a beautiful suburb near Vijayanagara called Nagalapura.The king was of medium height, had a cheerful disposition, and was reputed to be respectful to foreign visitors, ruthless in maintaining the law, and prone to fits of anger. He maintained himself to a high level of physical fitness through daily exercises. Travelogues indicate that the king was not only an able administrator, but also an excellent general, leading from the front in battle and even attending to the wounded. The [[Telugu language|Telugu]] poet Mukku Timmana [[nandi Thimmana]] appraised him as the destroyer of the Turks.<ref name="Vijayanagara Voices p.124">Vijayanagara Voices: Exploring South Indian History and Hindu Literature William Joseph Jackson: p.124</ref>
==Foreign affairs==
The rule of Krishna Deva Raya marks a period of much military success in Vijayanagara history. On occasion, the king was known to change battle plans abruptly and turn a losing battle into victory. The first decade of his rule was one of long sieges, bloody conquests and victories. He reorganized the army and recruited his troopers from several south Indian communities like Kabbili, Morasa and Tulu in order to make his cavalry efficient in the ecounters against the Turks.<ref>Studies in the History of the Third Dynasty of Vijayanagara by N. Venkata Ramanayya p.124</ref> His main enemies were the [[Bahamani Sultanate|Bahamani Sultans]] (who, though divided into five small kingdoms, remained a constant threat), the [[Gajapati Kingdom|Gajapatis]] of [[Odisha]], who had been involved in constant conflict since the rule of [[Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya]] and the [[Portugal|Portuguese]], a rising maritime power which controlled much of the sea trade. The feudal chiefs of Ummattur, [[Reddys]] of Kondavidu and [[Velama (caste)|Velamas]] of [[Bhuvanagiri]] who rebelled against Vijayanagar rule were conquered and subdued.
===Success in Deccan===
The annual affair of the raid and plunder of Vijayanagar towns and villages by the Deccan sultans came to an end during the Raya's rule. He defeated the last remnant of [[Bahmani Sultanate]] power which led to the collapse of the Bahmani Sultanate.<ref>A Social History of the Deccan, 1300-1761: Eight Indian Lives, by Richard M. Eaton p.88</ref> In 1509 Krishnadevaraya's armies clashed with the Sultan of Bijapur at Diwani and the Sultan Mahmud was severely injured and defeated. Yusuf Adil Khan was killed and the Raichur Doab was annexed.
Taking advantage of the victory and the disunity of the Bahamani Sultans, the Raya invaded Bidar, Gulbarga and Bijapur and earned the title "establisher of the Yavana kingdom" when he released Sultan Mahmud and made him de facto ruler. The title advertised the boast that he was now the political arbiter of all the Deccan.<ref>A Social History of the Deccan, 1300-1761: Eight Indian Lives, by Richard M. Eaton p.90</ref> The Sultan of Golconda Sultan Quli Qutb Shah was defeated by Timmarusu who was the prime minister of Sri Krishnadevaraya.
===War with Feudatories===
He subdued local rulers of and Velamas of Bhuvanagiri who were the feudatory of Gajapati kings of [[Odisha]], and seized lands up to the [[Krishna river]]. Ganga Raja, the Ummatur chief, fought Krishna Deva Raya on the banks of the Kaveri and was defeated. The chief later drowned in the Kaveri in 1512. The region was made a part of the [[Srirangapatna]] province. In 1516-1517, he pushed beyond the [[Godavari river]].
===War with Kalinga===
The Surya Vamsi Gajapatis of Odisha ruled a vast land comprising [[Coastal Andhra|Andhra region]], most of [[Telangana]] region, the whole of [[Odisha]], parts of present West Bengal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Krishna Deva Raya's success at Ummatur provided the necessary impetus to carry his campaign into the [[Telangana region]] which was in control of Gajapati Prathapa Rudra Dev. The Vijayanagar army laid siege to the [[Udayagiri, Nellore district|Udayagiri]] fort in 1512. The campaign lasted for a year before the Gajapati army disintegrated due to starvation. Krishna Deva Raya offered prayers at [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple|Tirupati]] thereafter along with his wives Tirumala Devi and Chinnama Devi. The Gajapati army was then met at Kondaviduraju where the armies of Vijayanagara, after establishing a siege for a few months and heavy with initial defeats began to retreat, until Timmarusu upon discovering a secret entrance to the unguarded eastern gate of the fort launched a night attack culminating with the capture of the fort and the imprisonment of the greatest swordsman of his time, Prince Virabhadra, the son of Gajapati Emperor of Kalinga-Utkal,Gajapati Prataprudra Deva. Saluva Timmarasa took over as governor of Kondavidu thereafter. The Vijayanagar army then accosted the Gajapati army at Kondapalli area and laid another siege. Krishnadevaraya then planned for an invasion of mainland Kalinga-Utkal but the Gajapati Emperor, Prataparudra, privy of this plan had built up a strategy to rout the Vijayanagara army and along with it its king, Krishnadevaraya. The confrontation was to happen at the fort of Kalinganagar. But the wily Timmarusu secured the information by bribing a Telugu deserter, formerly under the service of the mighty Prataprudra deva. Prataprudra was driven to Cuttack,the capital of the Gajapati empire and eventually surrendered to Vijaynagar, giving his daughter Princess Annapurna Devi in marriage to Sri Krishna Deva Raya.As per treaty Krishna river became boundary of Vijaynagar and Odisha Kingdom.
Krishna Deva Raya established friendly relations with the [[Portugal|Portuguese]], who set up the Portuguese Dominion of India in [[Goa]] in 1510. The Emperor obtained guns and Arabian horses from the Portuguese merchants. He also utilized Portuguese expertise in improving water supply to Vijayanagara City.
===Final conflict===
[[File:Kannada inscription of Krishnadeva Raya (1524 AD) at Ananthasayana temple in Ananthasayanagudi.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Kannada inscription dated 1524 A.D., of Krishnadeva Raya at the Anathasayana temple in Anathasayanagudi near Hampi. The temple was built in memory of his deceased son]]
The complicated alliances of the empire and the five Deccan sultanates meant that he was continually at war, in one of these campaigns, he defeated [[Golconda]] and captured its commander Madurul-Mulk, crushed [[Bijapur Sultanate|Bijapur]] and its [[Sultan]] Ismail Adil Shah and restored [[Bahmani]] sultanate to Muhammad Shah.
The highlight of his conquests occurred on 19 May 1520 where he secured the fortress of Raichur from Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur after a difficult siege during which 16,000 Vijaynagar soldiers were killed. The exploits of the chief military commander, [[Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu]], during the battle of Raichur were suitably rewarded by the grateful emperor. During the campaign against [[Raichur]], it is said that 703,000 foot soldiers, 32,600 cavalry and 551 elephants were used (See [[The battle of Raichur]]). Finally, in his last battle, he razed to the ground the fortress of [[Gulburga]], the early capital of the [[Bahmani]] sultanate. His empire extended over the whole of South India.
In 1524 he made his son Tirumala Raya the ''Yuvaraja'' though the crown prince did not survive for long. He was poisoned to death. Suspecting the involvement of [[Timmarusu]], Krishna Deva Raya had his trusted commander and adviser blinded. At the same time, Krishnadevaraya was preparing for an attack on Belgaum that was in the Adil Shah’s possession; Krishnadevaraya took seriously ill. He died soon after in 1529.
Before his death, he nominated his brother, Achyuta Deva Raya as his successor. The rule of Krishnadevaraya was a glorious chapter in the history of Vijayanagara Empire. Even the ruins at Hampi tell the glorious tale of that mighty empire.
==Internal affairs==
During his reign he kept a strict control over his ministers who were severely punished for any misdeeds.<ref name="India p.94">A Comprehensive History of India: Comprehensive history of medieval India by B.N. Puri,M.N. Das p.94</ref> He abolished some of the obnoxious taxes such as the marriage fee.<ref name="India p.94"/> To increase the revenue he brought new lands under cultivation by ordering deforestation of some areas.<ref name="India p.94"/> A large-scale work to obtain water for irrigation around Vijayanagar was also undertaken by him.<ref>Economic History of Medieval India, 1200-1500 p.194</ref> He was tolerant of all religions and showed respect towards Islam and Christianity.<ref>History of Medieval India: From 1000 A.D. to 1707 A.D. by Radhey Shyam Chaurasia p.111</ref> Foreign travelers such as Paes, Nunez and Barbosa who visited Vijayanagar speak highly of the efficiency of administration and prosperity of the people during his reign.<ref name="India p.94"/> In spite of his preoccupations with the defense and reorganization of the territories conquered by him, he founded a new town called Nagalapur.
Paes summarises the king's attitude to matters of law and order by the sentence, "The king maintains the law by killing." Offences against property (designed to maintain stability) and for murder ranged from cutting of a foot and hand for theft and beheading for murder (except for those occurring as a result of duel). Paes could not estimate the size of Vijaynagar as his view was obscured by the hills but estimated the city to be at least as large as [[Rome]]. Furthermore, he considered Vijaynagar to be "the best provided city in the world" with a population of not less than a half a million. The empire was divided into a number of provinces often under members of the royal family and into further subdivisions. The administrative languages of the Empire were Kannada and Telugu—the latter was also the Court language.<ref name="Encyclopedia Britannica">{{cite web|title=Telugu Literature|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/586439/Telugu-literature|accessdate=2013-07-19|quote="Telugu literature flowered in the early 16th century under the Vijayanagar empire, of which Telugu was the court language. "}}</ref> Telugu was a popular literary medium, reaching its peak under the patronage of Krishnadevaraya.
Sewe I remarks that Krishna Deva Raya was not only a monarch de jure, but he was also a de facto sovereign with extensive powers and strong personal influence. With the active cooperation of Prime Minister [[Timmarusu]] he administered the Kingdom well, maintained peace in the land and increased the prosperity of the people
The administration of the empire was carried on along the lines indicated in his Amuktamalyada. He was the opinion that the King should always rule with an eye towards [[Dharma]]. His concern for the welfare of the people is amply proved by his extensive annual tours all over the empire, during which he studied everything personally and tried to redress the grievances of the people and to punish the evil doers. With regard to the promotion of the economic progress of his people, Krishnadevaraya says:" The extent of the kingdom is the means for the acquisition of wealth.<ref name="ReferenceA">Medieval Indian History by Krishnaji Nageshrao Chitnis p.82</ref> Therefore even if the land is limited in extent, excavate tanks and canals and increase the prosperity of the poor by leasing him the land for low ari and koru, so that you may obtain wealth as well as religious merit."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
The Portuguese Chronicler Domingo Paes praises Krishna Deva Raya as, “the most feared and perfect King… a great ruler and a man of much justice”. Though a follower of [[Vaishnavism]] he showed respect to all sects, and petty religious prejudices never influenced him, either in granting gifts or in his choice of companions and officers. According to Barbosa, “The King allows such freedom that every man may come and go, live according to his own creed, without suffering any annoyance”.
==Art and literature==
[[File:View of dilapidated main mantapa at the Vitthala templein Hampi.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Vitthala]] temple with musical pillars, Hoysala style multigonal base [[Hampi]]]]
The rule of Krishna Deva Raya was an age of prolific literature in many languages, although it is also known as a golden age of Telugu literature. Many Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada and Tamil poets enjoyed the patronage of the emperor. Emperor Krishna Deva Raya was fluent in many languages. There remains a debate whether he was a Telugu, Kannadiga <ref>http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/14/stories/2010091462650700.htm</ref> or Tuluva by lineage.<ref>http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/30/stories/2005123002710600.htm</ref> The emperors' mother tongue was Telugu although his father was of Tulu lineage. His mastery and love of Telugu language and literature, preference to Telugu nobles in his court, preponderance of Telugu speaking commanders and warriors in his army owe much to his mother's influence
The poet Muku Timmana praised him as a great general and stated: "O Krishnaraya, you Man-Lion. You destroyed the Turks from far away with just your great name`s power. Oh Lord of the elephant king, just from seeing you the multitude of elephants ran away in horror.<ref name="Vijayanagara Voices p.124"/>
===Kannada literature===
He patronised Kannada poets Mallanarya who wrote ''Veera-saivamruta'', ''Bhava-chinta-ratna'' and ''Satyendra Chola-kathe'', Chatu Vittal-anatha who wrote ''Bhaga-vatha'', Timmanna Kavi who wrote a eulogy of his king in ''Krishna Raya Bharata''.<ref name="Kannada1">Dr. S.U. Kamat, ''Concise history of Karnataka'', pp 157-189</ref><ref name="Kannada2">Prof K.A.N. Sastri, ''History of South India'' pp 355-366</ref> [[Vyasatirtha]], the great saint from Mysore belonging to the [[Madhwas|Madhwa]] order of [[Udupi]] was his ''Rajaguru''.<ref name="rajguru">. Krishna Deva Raya considered the saint his ''Kula-devata'' and highly honored him. ''A Concise History of Karnataka'' pp 178, Dr. S.U. Kamath, [http://www.dvaita.org/scholars/vyasaraja/] ''Haridasas of Karnataka'', Madhusudana Rao CR, ''History of South India'', pp 324, Prof. K.A.N. Sastri</ref> ''Krishna Deva Rayana Dinachari'' in Kannada is a recently discovered work.<ref name="dina">''A Concise History of Karnataka'', Dr. S.U. Kamath, pp 157</ref> The record highlights the contemporary society during Krishna Deva Raya's time in his personal diary. However it is not yet clear if the record was written by the king himself.
===Telugu literature===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Hampi-Krishnadevaraya-stamp.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Government of India issued a stamp to commemorate [[SriKrishnadevaraya]]]] -->Government of India issued a stamp to commemorate Sri Krishna Deva Raya.
Krishna Deva Raya’s reign is considered the golden age of [[Telugu literature]]. Eight poets known as ''[[Astadiggajalu]]'' (eight elephants in the eight cardinal points such as North, South etc.) were part of his court (known as ''Bhuvana-vijayamu''). According to the Vaishnavite religion there are eight elephants in eight corners in space and hold the earth in its place. Similarly these eight poets were the eight pillars of his literary assembly. Who constituted [[Ashtadiggajas]] is not certain. But, it is popularly believed to include these : [[Allasani Peddana]], [[Nandi Thimmana]], [[Madayyagari Mallana]], [[Dhurjati]], [[Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu|Ayyala-raju Rama-Bhadrudu]], [[Pingali Surana]], [[Ramarajabhushanudu|Ramaraja Bhushanudu]] and [[Tenali Ramakrishnudu|Tenali Rama Krishna]].
Among these eight poets [[Allasani Peddana]] is considered to be the greatest and is given the title of ''Andhra Kavita Pitamaha'' (the father of Telugu poetry). ''Manu-charitramu'' which was patronised to Sri Krishna Devaraya is his popular [[prabhanda]] work. Nandi Timmana wrote ''Paari-jaata-apaharan-amu''. Madayya-gari Mallana wrote ''Raja-sekhara Charitramu.'' Dhurjati wrote ''Kalahasti Mahatyamu'' and Ayyal-raju Rama-bhadrudu wrote ''Rama-abhyuday-amu.'' Pingali Surana wrote the still remarkable ''Raghava-pandaveeyamu,'' a dual work with double meaning built into the text, describing both the [[Ramayana]] and the [[Mahabharata]]. Bhattumurty alias Rama-raja-bhushanudu wrote ''Kavyalankara-sangrahamu,'' ''Vasu-charitramu,'' and ''Harischandra-nalopakhyanamu.'' Among these works the last one is a dual work which tells simultaneously the story of King [[Harishchandra]] and Nala and [[Damayanti]]. [[Tenali Ramakrishna]] first wrote ''Udbhataradhya Charitramu,'' a [[Shaivite]] work and later wrote Vaishnava devotional texts ''Pandu-ranga Mahatmyamu,'' and ''Ghatikachala Mahatmyamu.'' The period of the Empire is known as “Prabandha Period,” because of the quality of the prabandha literature produced during this time. Tenali Ramakrishna remains one of the most popular folk figures in India today, a quick-witted courtier ready even to outwit the all-powerful emperor. Among Dhurjati's works, a set of poems rather a collection of 100 poems called the "srikalahastheeshwara satakamu" (satakamu means set of 100 poems) is the most famous.
===''Amuktamalyada''===
====Visit to Andhra Vishnu Temple====
Once the [[Vijayanagara]] emperor [[Sri Krishnadevaraya]] was travelling via [[Vijayawada]] during his [[Kalinga, India|Kalinga]] campaign (c. 1516). He had conquered [[Vijayawada]], [[kondapalli]] fort and the surrounding areas. He came to know about the holy temple of [[Śrī Āndhra Viṣhṇu]] and visited [[Srikakulam, Krishna|Srikakulam village]] for a few days. He performed the [[Ekadasi]] [[Vrata]]m during that time. It is here that Lord Śrī Āndhra Viṣhṇu in all his glory appeared to the emperor in an early morning dream ("neela mEGhamu DAlu Deelu sEyaga jAlu….").<ref>History of Telugu literature, Giḍugu Vēṅkaṭa Sītāpati, Sahitya Akademi, 1968.</ref> Within ''Āmuktamālyada'' itself it was mentioned that on a ''Harivāsara'', Sri Krishnadevaraya had the Darsana of Śrī Āndhra Maha Viṣhṇu. ''Harivāsara'' is the time between the last 4 [[muhurtas]] of Ekadasi and the first 4 [[muhurtas]] of Dwadasi, i.e., 6 hours and 24 minutes. This incident of visiting the temple must be between [[Ahobilam]] Śaasanam (dated December 1515) and [[Simhāchalam]] Śaasanam (dated 30 March 1515). Maybe January 1516, he might have visited the temple on the Dvadasi day. Beyond this no other valid references are available for exact date of visit.<ref>Amuktamalyada Vol1, Acharya Tummapudi Koteswararao, Malayakuta Publications, 2001.</ref>
Sri Krishnadevaraya himself recounts the circumstances of this work's composition as, {{quote|''Sometime ago, I was determined to conquer the Kalinga territory. On the way, I camped for a few days with my army at Vijayawada. Then I went to visit [[Andhra Vishnu]], who lives in [[Srikakulam, Krishna|Srikakula]]. Observing the fast of the Vishnu's Day (Dvadasi), in the fourth and last watch of that God's night (Harivaasaram), Andhra Vishnu came to me in my dream. His body was a radiant black, blacker than the rain cloud. His eyes wise and sparkling, put the lotus to shame. He was clothed in the best golden silk, finer still than the down on his eagle's wings. The red sunrise is pale compared to ruby on his chest.<ref>Forms of Knowledge in Early Modern Asia: Explorations in the Intellectual History of India and Tibet, 1500-1800, By Sheldon Pollock, Duke University Press, 2011.(Page 73)</ref>''}}
====Lord Śrī Viṣhṇu's instruction to commence work in Telugu====
Lord Śrī Viṣhṇu told him to compose the story of his wedding with [[Andal]] at [[Srirangam]] ("rangamandayina penDili seppumu.."). From 14th poem of this work we can see that the, Lord also ordered the emperor to tell the story in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and referred himself as King of Telugus (Telugu Vallabhunḍa) and refers Sri Krishnadevaraya as Kannada King (Kannaḍa Rāya). (...nEnu delugu raayanDa, kannaDa raaya!, yakkodunangappu....). The Lord reasoned "telugadElayanna, dESambu telugu. yEnu telugu vallaBhunDa. telugo kanDa.…. yerugavE bAsADi, dESa BhAShalandu telugu lessa!" The emperor obliged and composed ''Amuktamalyada'' which is one of the most famous poetic works in the entire [[Telugu literature]].<ref>http://www.engr.mun.ca/~adluri/telugu/classical/satakams/rit/andhra_nayaka.html</ref>
{{cquote|తెలుఁగ దేల యెన్న దేశంబు దెలుఁగేను<br> తెలుఁగు వల్లభుండఁ తెలుఁగొకండ<br>యెల్ల నృపులు గొలువ నెరుఁగవే బాసాడి<br>దేశభాషలందుఁ తెలుఁగు లెస్స|||శ్రీ ఆంధ్ర విష్ణు}}
{{cquote|telugadElayanna, dESambu telugEnu<br>telugu vallaBhunDa telugokanDa<br>yella nRpulu golva nerugavE bAsADi<br>dESa BhAShalandu telugu lessa|||Śrī Viṣhṇu's reason on why Āmuktamālyada should be written in telugu by Sri Krishnadevaraya}}
Meaning: "If you ask, 'Why Telugu?' It is because this is Telugu country and I am a Telugu king. Telugu is one of a kind. After speaking with all the kings that serve you, didn’t you realize-amongst all the regional languages, Telugu is the best!"<ref>Giver of the Worn Garland: Krishnadevaraya's Amuktamalyada, translated by Srinivas Reddy (Penguin Books, 2010), verse I.15, pg. 5</ref>
====Content====
Sri Krishna Deva Raya's Āmuktamālyada beautifully describes the pangs of separation (viraha) suffered by Sri Andal (incarnation of Mother Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi venerated as Sri Bhoomi Devi, the Goddess of Earth and the divine consort of Almighty Sriman Narayana) [[Andal]] (one of the twelve [[bhakti]]-era [[alwars]]) for her lover Lord Vishnu. He describes Andal’s physical beauty in thirty verses in keśādi-pādam style, starting with her hair and extending down her body to her feet. As elsewhere in Indian poetry - see [[Sringara]] - the sensual pleasure of union extends beyond the physical level and becomes a path to, and a metaphor for, spirituality and ultimate union with the divine.
One of the main characters is [[Periyalvar]], the father of Andal. Lord Vishnu in the form of Sri Mannaru Swami of Sri Villiputtur commands Periyalwar to teach a king of the [[Pandya]] dynasty the path of knowledge to ''[[moksha]]''. Amuktamalyada is also known by the name ''Vishnu-chitteeyam,'' a reference to ''Vishnu-chittudu'', the Telugu name of Vishnuchittar aka Periyalwar. Several other short stories are included in Amuktamalyada in the course of the main story of ''Godadevi'', including the story of a brahma-rakshasa and an untouchable devotee (Maladasari Katha). The Sanskrit name Amuktamalyada means the one who gives a garland that has been put on and taken off. Krishna Deva Raya was also well-versed in Sanskrit, Tamil and Kannada. ''Jambavati Kalyanamu'' is his Sanskrit work.<ref name="telugu1">''Amuktamalyada'' 1-13,15</ref>
===Tamil literature===
[[File:செவரப்பூண்டி கிருஷ்ணதேவராயர் கல்வெட்டு.JPG|thumbnail|right|Tamil inscription of Krishnadevaraya, Severappoondi]]
Krishna Deva Raya patronised the Tamil poet [[Haridasa]] and Tamil literature soon began to flourish as the years passed by.<ref name="Tamil1">Dr. S.U. Kamat, ''Concise history of Karnataka'', pp 157-189, ''History of South India'', pp 331-354, Prof. K.A.N. Sastri</ref>
===Sanskrit literature===
In Sanskrit, [[Vyasatirtha]] wrote ''Bhedo-jjivana'', ''Tat-parya-chandrika'', ''Nyaya-mrita'' (a work directed against Advaita philosophy) and ''Tarka-tandava''. Krishna Deva Raya himself an accomplished scholar wrote ''Madalasa Charita'', ''Satyavadu Parinaya'' and ''Rasamanjari'' and ''Jambavati Kalyana''.<ref name="sanskrit1">Dr. S.U. Kamat, ''Concise history of Karnataka'', pg.157-189</ref><ref name="sanskrit2">Prof K.A.N. Sastri, ''History of South India'' pg.239-280</ref><ref name="sanskrit4">Prof K.A.N. Sastri, ''History of South India'' pg.309-330</ref>
==Religion and culture==
[[File:Tirumala overview.jpg|thumb|Tirumala Temple and [[Vaikuntam Queue Complex]] (semicircular building in the foreground) as seen from Srivari Padalu on Narayanagiri hill]]
Krishna Deva Raya respected all sects of Hinduism and lavished on the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] numerous objects of priceless value, ranging from diamond studded crowns to golden swords. Additionally, he is known to have commissioned the making of statues of himself and his two wives at the temple complex.These statues are still visible at the temple at the exit.
He also contributed in building parts of [[Srisailam]] temple complex.
Krishna Deva Raya was formally initiated into the Vaishnava Sampradaya by [[Vyasatirtha]].<ref name="kula">Haridasas of Karnataka, Narahari S. Pujar, Shrisha Rao and H.P. Raghunandan [http://www.dvaita.org/scholars/vyasaraja/]</ref> He patronised poets and scholars in [[Kannada language|Kannada]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and Sanskrit.
Sri Vyasatirtha was his Kula-Guru.
== References==
* Smith, Vincent, ''Oxford History of India'', Fourth Edition, pgs. 306-307, and 312-313.
* Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat, Concise history of Karnataka, 2001, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002).
* Prof K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002)
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
{{wikiquote}}
{{commons category}}
==External links==
{{commons category|Krishnadevaraya}}
*[http://www.vepachedu.org/krishnarayalu.htm The Golden Era of Telugu Literature] from the Vepachedu Educational Foundation
*[http://www.tirumala.org/maintemple_tour_pratima.htm Krishnadevaraya's complex at Tirupati]
*[http://www.tirumala.org/pg_history.htm Statutes of Krishnadevaraya and his wives at Tirupati.]
*[http://www.vijayanagaracoins.com/htm/krishna.htm Gold coins issued during Krishnadevaraya's reign]
*[http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/3310 A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): a contribution to the history of India] (Translation of the ''Chronica dos reis de Bisnaga'' written by Domingos Paes and Fernão Nunes about 1520 and 1535, respectively, with a historical introduction by Robert Sewell)
*[http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Giver_of_the_Worn_Garland_KRISHNADEV.html?id=g0eTDF3uLVgC Giver of the Worn Garland: Krishnadevaraya's Amuktamalyada, translated by Srinivas Reddy (Penguin Books, 2010)]
{{S-start}}
{{Succession box|title=[[Vijayanagara empire]]|before=[[Viranarasimha Raya]]|after=[[Achyuta Deva Raya]] |years=1509–1529}}
{{S-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Persondata
| NAME = Krishnadevaraya
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Vijayanagara Emperor
| DATE OF BIRTH = 17 January 1471
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Hampi, Karnataka
| DATE OF DEATH = 1529
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
[[Category:Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Vijayanagara Empire]]
[[Category:People from Karnataka]]
[[Category:History of Karnataka]]
[[Category:1529 deaths]]
[[Category:Mangaloreans]]
[[Category:Tulu people]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
[[Category:1471 births]]
[[Category:Kshatriya]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext ) | '{{Redirect|Sri Krishnadevaraya|the 1970 film|Sri Krishnadevaraya (film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2013}}
{{Infobox monarch
|name = ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ / కృష్ణదేవరాయలు/Krishnadevaraya
|title = Emperor of [[Vijayanagara Empire]]
|image = Vijayanagara.jpg
|caption = A bronze statue of Emperor Krishnadevaraya
|reign = 26 July 1509–1529<ref name="Srinivasan1979">{{cite book|last=Srinivasan|first=C. R.|title=Kanchipuram Through the Ages|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=dJEcAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=25 July 2014|year=1979|publisher=Agam Kala Prakashan|page=200}}</ref>
|religion = [[Hinduism|Hindu]]
|othertitles =
|native_lang1 = [[Kannada language|Kannada]],<br>[[Tulu language|Tulu]],<br>[[Telugu language|Telugu]]
|native_lang1_name1=
|predecessor =[[Viranarasimha Raya]]
|successor =[[Achyuta Deva Raya]]
|suc-type =
|heir =
|queen = Chinna Devi<br>Tirumala Devi<br>Annapurna Devi
|consort =
|spouse 1 =
|issue =
|dynasty =[[Tuluva Dynasty]]
|royal anthem =
|father =[[Tuluva Narasa Nayaka]]
|mother =
|birth_date = 16 February 1471
|birth_place =Hampi, Karnataka
|death_date =1529
|Caste =KAPU
|death_place =
|date of burial =
|place of burial =Hampi, Karnataka
|}}
[[File:Kannada inscription (1509 AD) of Krishnadeva Raya at entrance to mantapa of Virupaksha temple in Hampi.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Kannada inscription dated 1509 A.D., of Krishnadeva Raya at the Virupaksha temple in Hampi describes his coronation and the construction of the large open mantapa]]
[[File:Kannada inscription of Krishnadeva Raya (1513 AD) at the Krishna temple in Hampi.JPG|thumb|upright|Kannada inscription, dated 1513 A.D., of Krishnadeva Raya at the Krishna temple in Hampi describes his victories against the Gajapati Kingdom of [[Odisha]].]]
{{Vijayanagara empire}}
'''Krishnadevaraya''' ([[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]] {{IAST|Kṛṣṇa Deva Rāya}}) was the greatest emperor of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] who reigned from 1509–1530.<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=109}}</ref> He is the third ruler of the [[Tuluva Dynasty]]. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by many Indians. Krishna Deva Raya earned the titles ''Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana'' (''lit'', "Lord of the Kannada empire"), ''Andhra Bhoja'' and ''Mooru Rayara Ganda'' (''lit'', "King of three Kings"). He became the dominant ruler of the peninsula of India by defeating the Sultans of Bijapur, Golconda, the [[Bahmani Sultanate]] and the Raja of [[Odisha]]. The great south Indian mathematician [[Nilakantha Somayaji]] also lived in the Empire of Krishnadevaraya.<ref>Different Types of History by Bharati Ray p.95</ref> He was the most powerful of all the Hindu rulers of India at that time.<ref>Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India by Jl Mehta p.118</ref> Indeed, when the [[Mughal emperors|Mughal]] [[Babur]] was taking stock of the potentates of north India, Krishnadevaraya was rated the most powerful and had the most extensive empire in the subcontinent.<ref>Keay, John, India: A History, New York: Harper Collins, 2000, p.302</ref>
[[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] travellers [[Domingo Paes]] and [[Fernao Nuniz]] also visited the [[Vijayanagara]] Empire during his reign. Krishna Deva Raya benefited from the able prime minister [[Timmarusu]], who was regarded by the emperor as a father figure and was responsible for his coronation. Krishna Deva Raya was the son of [[Tuluva Narasa Nayaka]],<ref name="parents">Prof K.A.N. Sastri, ''History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar'', 1955, pp 250,258</ref> an army commander under [[Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya]], who later took control of the empire to prevent its disintegration and became the founder of the [[Tuluva Dynasty]], the third [[Hinduism|Hindu]] Dynasty to rule [[Vijayanagara]]. The emperor's coronation took place on the birthday of Hindu God [[Krishna]]. He built a beautiful suburb near Vijayanagara called Nagalapura.The king was of medium height, had a cheerful disposition, and was reputed to be respectful to foreign visitors, ruthless in maintaining the law, and prone to fits of anger. He maintained himself to a high level of physical fitness through daily exercises. Travelogues indicate that the king was not only an able administrator, but also an excellent general, leading from the front in battle and even attending to the wounded. The [[Telugu language|Telugu]] poet Mukku Timmana [[nandi Thimmana]] appraised him as the destroyer of the Turks.<ref name="Vijayanagara Voices p.124">Vijayanagara Voices: Exploring South Indian History and Hindu Literature William Joseph Jackson: p.124</ref>
==Foreign affairs==
The rule of Krishna Deva Raya marks a period of much military success in Vijayanagara history. On occasion, the king was known to change battle plans abruptly and turn a losing battle into victory. The first decade of his rule was one of long sieges, bloody conquests and victories. He reorganized the army and recruited his troopers from several south Indian communities like Kabbili, Morasa and Tulu in order to make his cavalry efficient in the ecounters against the Turks.<ref>Studies in the History of the Third Dynasty of Vijayanagara by N. Venkata Ramanayya p.124</ref> His main enemies were the [[Bahamani Sultanate|Bahamani Sultans]] (who, though divided into five small kingdoms, remained a constant threat), the [[Gajapati Kingdom|Gajapatis]] of [[Odisha]], who had been involved in constant conflict since the rule of [[Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya]] and the [[Portugal|Portuguese]], a rising maritime power which controlled much of the sea trade. The feudal chiefs of Ummattur, [[Reddys]] of Kondavidu and [[Velama (caste)|Velamas]] of [[Bhuvanagiri]] who rebelled against Vijayanagar rule were conquered and subdued.
===Success in Deccan===
The annual affair of the raid and plunder of Vijayanagar towns and villages by the Deccan sultans came to an end during the Raya's rule. He defeated the last remnant of [[Bahmani Sultanate]] power which led to the collapse of the Bahmani Sultanate.<ref>A Social History of the Deccan, 1300-1761: Eight Indian Lives, by Richard M. Eaton p.88</ref> In 1509 Krishnadevaraya's armies clashed with the Sultan of Bijapur at Diwani and the Sultan Mahmud was severely injured and defeated. Yusuf Adil Khan was killed and the Raichur Doab was annexed.
Taking advantage of the victory and the disunity of the Bahamani Sultans, the Raya invaded Bidar, Gulbarga and Bijapur and earned the title "establisher of the Yavana kingdom" when he released Sultan Mahmud and made him de facto ruler. The title advertised the boast that he was now the political arbiter of all the Deccan.<ref>A Social History of the Deccan, 1300-1761: Eight Indian Lives, by Richard M. Eaton p.90</ref> The Sultan of Golconda Sultan Quli Qutb Shah was defeated by Timmarusu who was the prime minister of Sri Krishnadevaraya.
===War with Feudatories===
He subdued local rulers of and Velamas of Bhuvanagiri who were the feudatory of Gajapati kings of [[Odisha]], and seized lands up to the [[Krishna river]]. Ganga Raja, the Ummatur chief, fought Krishna Deva Raya on the banks of the Kaveri and was defeated. The chief later drowned in the Kaveri in 1512. The region was made a part of the [[Srirangapatna]] province. In 1516-1517, he pushed beyond the [[Godavari river]].
===War with Kalinga===
The Surya Vamsi Gajapatis of Odisha ruled a vast land comprising [[Coastal Andhra|Andhra region]], most of [[Telangana]] region, the whole of [[Odisha]], parts of present West Bengal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Krishna Deva Raya's success at Ummatur provided the necessary impetus to carry his campaign into the [[Telangana region]] which was in control of Gajapati Prathapa Rudra Dev. The Vijayanagar army laid siege to the [[Udayagiri, Nellore district|Udayagiri]] fort in 1512. The campaign lasted for a year before the Gajapati army disintegrated due to starvation. Krishna Deva Raya offered prayers at [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple|Tirupati]] thereafter along with his wives Tirumala Devi and Chinnama Devi. The Gajapati army was then met at Kondaviduraju where the armies of Vijayanagara, after establishing a siege for a few months and heavy with initial defeats began to retreat, until Timmarusu upon discovering a secret entrance to the unguarded eastern gate of the fort launched a night attack culminating with the capture of the fort and the imprisonment of the greatest swordsman of his time, Prince Virabhadra, the son of Gajapati Emperor of Kalinga-Utkal,Gajapati Prataprudra Deva. Saluva Timmarasa took over as governor of Kondavidu thereafter. The Vijayanagar army then accosted the Gajapati army at Kondapalli area and laid another siege. Krishnadevaraya then planned for an invasion of mainland Kalinga-Utkal but the Gajapati Emperor, Prataparudra, privy of this plan had built up a strategy to rout the Vijayanagara army and along with it its king, Krishnadevaraya. The confrontation was to happen at the fort of Kalinganagar. But the wily Timmarusu secured the information by bribing a Telugu deserter, formerly under the service of the mighty Prataprudra deva. Prataprudra was driven to Cuttack,the capital of the Gajapati empire and eventually surrendered to Vijaynagar, giving his daughter Princess Annapurna Devi in marriage to Sri Krishna Deva Raya.As per treaty Krishna river became boundary of Vijaynagar and Odisha Kingdom.
Krishna Deva Raya established friendly relations with the [[Portugal|Portuguese]], who set up the Portuguese Dominion of India in [[Goa]] in 1510. The Emperor obtained guns and Arabian horses from the Portuguese merchants. He also utilized Portuguese expertise in improving water supply to Vijayanagara City.
===Final conflict===
[[File:Kannada inscription of Krishnadeva Raya (1524 AD) at Ananthasayana temple in Ananthasayanagudi.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Kannada inscription dated 1524 A.D., of Krishnadeva Raya at the Anathasayana temple in Anathasayanagudi near Hampi. The temple was built in memory of his deceased son]]
The complicated alliances of the empire and the five Deccan sultanates meant that he was continually at war, in one of these campaigns, he defeated [[Golconda]] and captured its commander Madurul-Mulk, crushed [[Bijapur Sultanate|Bijapur]] and its [[Sultan]] Ismail Adil Shah and restored [[Bahmani]] sultanate to Muhammad Shah.
The highlight of his conquests occurred on 19 May 1520 where he secured the fortress of Raichur from Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur after a difficult siege during which 16,000 Vijaynagar soldiers were killed. The exploits of the chief military commander, [[Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu]], during the battle of Raichur were suitably rewarded by the grateful emperor. During the campaign against [[Raichur]], it is said that 703,000 foot soldiers, 32,600 cavalry and 551 elephants were used (See [[The battle of Raichur]]). Finally, in his last battle, he razed to the ground the fortress of [[Gulburga]], the early capital of the [[Bahmani]] sultanate. His empire extended over the whole of South India.
In 1524 he made his son Tirumala Raya the ''Yuvaraja'' though the crown prince did not survive for long. He was poisoned to death. Suspecting the involvement of [[Timmarusu]], Krishna Deva Raya had his trusted commander and adviser blinded. At the same time, Krishnadevaraya was preparing for an attack on Belgaum that was in the Adil Shah’s possession; Krishnadevaraya took seriously ill. He died soon after in 1529.
Before his death, he nominated his brother, Achyuta Deva Raya as his successor. The rule of Krishnadevaraya was a glorious chapter in the history of Vijayanagara Empire. Even the ruins at Hampi tell the glorious tale of that mighty empire.
==Internal affairs==
During his reign he kept a strict control over his ministers who were severely punished for any misdeeds.<ref name="India p.94">A Comprehensive History of India: Comprehensive history of medieval India by B.N. Puri,M.N. Das p.94</ref> He abolished some of the obnoxious taxes such as the marriage fee.<ref name="India p.94"/> To increase the revenue he brought new lands under cultivation by ordering deforestation of some areas.<ref name="India p.94"/> A large-scale work to obtain water for irrigation around Vijayanagar was also undertaken by him.<ref>Economic History of Medieval India, 1200-1500 p.194</ref> He was tolerant of all religions and showed respect towards Islam and Christianity.<ref>History of Medieval India: From 1000 A.D. to 1707 A.D. by Radhey Shyam Chaurasia p.111</ref> Foreign travelers such as Paes, Nunez and Barbosa who visited Vijayanagar speak highly of the efficiency of administration and prosperity of the people during his reign.<ref name="India p.94"/> In spite of his preoccupations with the defense and reorganization of the territories conquered by him, he founded a new town called Nagalapur.
Paes summarises the king's attitude to matters of law and order by the sentence, "The king maintains the law by killing." Offences against property (designed to maintain stability) and for murder ranged from cutting of a foot and hand for theft and beheading for murder (except for those occurring as a result of duel). Paes could not estimate the size of Vijaynagar as his view was obscured by the hills but estimated the city to be at least as large as [[Rome]]. Furthermore, he considered Vijaynagar to be "the best provided city in the world" with a population of not less than a half a million. The empire was divided into a number of provinces often under members of the royal family and into further subdivisions. The administrative languages of the Empire were Kannada and Telugu—the latter was also the Court language.<ref name="Encyclopedia Britannica">{{cite web|title=Telugu Literature|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/586439/Telugu-literature|accessdate=2013-07-19|quote="Telugu literature flowered in the early 16th century under the Vijayanagar empire, of which Telugu was the court language. "}}</ref> Telugu was a popular literary medium, reaching its peak under the patronage of Krishnadevaraya.
Sewe I remarks that Krishna Deva Raya was not only a monarch de jure, but he was also a de facto sovereign with extensive powers and strong personal influence. With the active cooperation of Prime Minister [[Timmarusu]] he administered the Kingdom well, maintained peace in the land and increased the prosperity of the people
The administration of the empire was carried on along the lines indicated in his Amuktamalyada. He was the opinion that the King should always rule with an eye towards [[Dharma]]. His concern for the welfare of the people is amply proved by his extensive annual tours all over the empire, during which he studied everything personally and tried to redress the grievances of the people and to punish the evil doers. With regard to the promotion of the economic progress of his people, Krishnadevaraya says:" The extent of the kingdom is the means for the acquisition of wealth.<ref name="ReferenceA">Medieval Indian History by Krishnaji Nageshrao Chitnis p.82</ref> Therefore even if the land is limited in extent, excavate tanks and canals and increase the prosperity of the poor by leasing him the land for low ari and koru, so that you may obtain wealth as well as religious merit."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
The Portuguese Chronicler Domingo Paes praises Krishna Deva Raya as, “the most feared and perfect King… a great ruler and a man of much justice”. Though a follower of [[Vaishnavism]] he showed respect to all sects, and petty religious prejudices never influenced him, either in granting gifts or in his choice of companions and officers. According to Barbosa, “The King allows such freedom that every man may come and go, live according to his own creed, without suffering any annoyance”.
==Art and literature==
[[File:View of dilapidated main mantapa at the Vitthala templein Hampi.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Vitthala]] temple with musical pillars, Hoysala style multigonal base [[Hampi]]]]
The rule of Krishna Deva Raya was an age of prolific literature in many languages, although it is also known as a golden age of Telugu literature. Many Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada and Tamil poets enjoyed the patronage of the emperor. Emperor Krishna Deva Raya was fluent in many languages. There remains a debate whether he was a Telugu, Kannadiga <ref>http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/14/stories/2010091462650700.htm</ref> or Tuluva by lineage.<ref>http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/30/stories/2005123002710600.htm</ref> The emperors' mother tongue was Telugu although his father was of Tulu lineage. His mastery and love of Telugu language and literature, preference to Telugu nobles in his court, preponderance of Telugu speaking commanders and warriors in his army owe much to his mother's influence
The poet Muku Timmana praised him as a great general and stated: "O Krishnaraya, you Man-Lion. You destroyed the Turks from far away with just your great name`s power. Oh Lord of the elephant king, just from seeing you the multitude of elephants ran away in horror.<ref name="Vijayanagara Voices p.124"/>
===Kannada literature===
He patronised Kannada poets Mallanarya who wrote ''Veera-saivamruta'', ''Bhava-chinta-ratna'' and ''Satyendra Chola-kathe'', Chatu Vittal-anatha who wrote ''Bhaga-vatha'', Timmanna Kavi who wrote a eulogy of his king in ''Krishna Raya Bharata''.<ref name="Kannada1">Dr. S.U. Kamat, ''Concise history of Karnataka'', pp 157-189</ref><ref name="Kannada2">Prof K.A.N. Sastri, ''History of South India'' pp 355-366</ref> [[Vyasatirtha]], the great saint from Mysore belonging to the [[Madhwas|Madhwa]] order of [[Udupi]] was his ''Rajaguru''.<ref name="rajguru">. Krishna Deva Raya considered the saint his ''Kula-devata'' and highly honored him. ''A Concise History of Karnataka'' pp 178, Dr. S.U. Kamath, [http://www.dvaita.org/scholars/vyasaraja/] ''Haridasas of Karnataka'', Madhusudana Rao CR, ''History of South India'', pp 324, Prof. K.A.N. Sastri</ref> ''Krishna Deva Rayana Dinachari'' in Kannada is a recently discovered work.<ref name="dina">''A Concise History of Karnataka'', Dr. S.U. Kamath, pp 157</ref> The record highlights the contemporary society during Krishna Deva Raya's time in his personal diary. However it is not yet clear if the record was written by the king himself.
===Telugu literature===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Hampi-Krishnadevaraya-stamp.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Government of India issued a stamp to commemorate [[SriKrishnadevaraya]]]] -->Government of India issued a stamp to commemorate Sri Krishna Deva Raya.
Krishna Deva Raya’s reign is considered the golden age of [[Telugu literature]]. Eight poets known as ''[[Astadiggajalu]]'' (eight elephants in the eight cardinal points such as North, South etc.) were part of his court (known as ''Bhuvana-vijayamu''). According to the Vaishnavite religion there are eight elephants in eight corners in space and hold the earth in its place. Similarly these eight poets were the eight pillars of his literary assembly. Who constituted [[Ashtadiggajas]] is not certain. But, it is popularly believed to include these : [[Allasani Peddana]], [[Nandi Thimmana]], [[Madayyagari Mallana]], [[Dhurjati]], [[Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu|Ayyala-raju Rama-Bhadrudu]], [[Pingali Surana]], [[Ramarajabhushanudu|Ramaraja Bhushanudu]] and [[Tenali Ramakrishnudu|Tenali Rama Krishna]].
Among these eight poets [[Allasani Peddana]] is considered to be the greatest and is given the title of ''Andhra Kavita Pitamaha'' (the father of Telugu poetry). ''Manu-charitramu'' which was patronised to Sri Krishna Devaraya is his popular [[prabhanda]] work. Nandi Timmana wrote ''Paari-jaata-apaharan-amu''. Madayya-gari Mallana wrote ''Raja-sekhara Charitramu.'' Dhurjati wrote ''Kalahasti Mahatyamu'' and Ayyal-raju Rama-bhadrudu wrote ''Rama-abhyuday-amu.'' Pingali Surana wrote the still remarkable ''Raghava-pandaveeyamu,'' a dual work with double meaning built into the text, describing both the [[Ramayana]] and the [[Mahabharata]]. Bhattumurty alias Rama-raja-bhushanudu wrote ''Kavyalankara-sangrahamu,'' ''Vasu-charitramu,'' and ''Harischandra-nalopakhyanamu.'' Among these works the last one is a dual work which tells simultaneously the story of King [[Harishchandra]] and Nala and [[Damayanti]]. [[Tenali Ramakrishna]] first wrote ''Udbhataradhya Charitramu,'' a [[Shaivite]] work and later wrote Vaishnava devotional texts ''Pandu-ranga Mahatmyamu,'' and ''Ghatikachala Mahatmyamu.'' The period of the Empire is known as “Prabandha Period,” because of the quality of the prabandha literature produced during this time. Tenali Ramakrishna remains one of the most popular folk figures in India today, a quick-witted courtier ready even to outwit the all-powerful emperor. Among Dhurjati's works, a set of poems rather a collection of 100 poems called the "srikalahastheeshwara satakamu" (satakamu means set of 100 poems) is the most famous.
===''Amuktamalyada''===
====Visit to Andhra Vishnu Temple====
Once the [[Vijayanagara]] emperor [[Sri Krishnadevaraya]] was travelling via [[Vijayawada]] during his [[Kalinga, India|Kalinga]] campaign (c. 1516). He had conquered [[Vijayawada]], [[kondapalli]] fort and the surrounding areas. He came to know about the holy temple of [[Śrī Āndhra Viṣhṇu]] and visited [[Srikakulam, Krishna|Srikakulam village]] for a few days. He performed the [[Ekadasi]] [[Vrata]]m during that time. It is here that Lord Śrī Āndhra Viṣhṇu in all his glory appeared to the emperor in an early morning dream ("neela mEGhamu DAlu Deelu sEyaga jAlu….").<ref>History of Telugu literature, Giḍugu Vēṅkaṭa Sītāpati, Sahitya Akademi, 1968.</ref> Within ''Āmuktamālyada'' itself it was mentioned that on a ''Harivāsara'', Sri Krishnadevaraya had the Darsana of Śrī Āndhra Maha Viṣhṇu. ''Harivāsara'' is the time between the last 4 [[muhurtas]] of Ekadasi and the first 4 [[muhurtas]] of Dwadasi, i.e., 6 hours and 24 minutes. This incident of visiting the temple must be between [[Ahobilam]] Śaasanam (dated December 1515) and [[Simhāchalam]] Śaasanam (dated 30 March 1515). Maybe January 1516, he might have visited the temple on the Dvadasi day. Beyond this no other valid references are available for exact date of visit.<ref>Amuktamalyada Vol1, Acharya Tummapudi Koteswararao, Malayakuta Publications, 2001.</ref>
Sri Krishnadevaraya himself recounts the circumstances of this work's composition as, {{quote|''Sometime ago, I was determined to conquer the Kalinga territory. On the way, I camped for a few days with my army at Vijayawada. Then I went to visit [[Andhra Vishnu]], who lives in [[Srikakulam, Krishna|Srikakula]]. Observing the fast of the Vishnu's Day (Dvadasi), in the fourth and last watch of that God's night (Harivaasaram), Andhra Vishnu came to me in my dream. His body was a radiant black, blacker than the rain cloud. His eyes wise and sparkling, put the lotus to shame. He was clothed in the best golden silk, finer still than the down on his eagle's wings. The red sunrise is pale compared to ruby on his chest.<ref>Forms of Knowledge in Early Modern Asia: Explorations in the Intellectual History of India and Tibet, 1500-1800, By Sheldon Pollock, Duke University Press, 2011.(Page 73)</ref>''}}
====Content====
Sri Krishna Deva Raya's Āmuktamālyada beautifully describes the pangs of separation (viraha) suffered by Sri Andal (incarnation of Mother Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi venerated as Sri Bhoomi Devi, the Goddess of Earth and the divine consort of Almighty Sriman Narayana) [[Andal]] (one of the twelve [[bhakti]]-era [[alwars]]) for her lover Lord Vishnu. He describes Andal’s physical beauty in thirty verses in keśādi-pādam style, starting with her hair and extending down her body to her feet. As elsewhere in Indian poetry - see [[Sringara]] - the sensual pleasure of union extends beyond the physical level and becomes a path to, and a metaphor for, spirituality and ultimate union with the divine.
One of the main characters is [[Periyalvar]], the father of Andal. Lord Vishnu in the form of Sri Mannaru Swami of Sri Villiputtur commands Periyalwar to teach a king of the [[Pandya]] dynasty the path of knowledge to ''[[moksha]]''. Amuktamalyada is also known by the name ''Vishnu-chitteeyam,'' a reference to ''Vishnu-chittudu'', the Telugu name of Vishnuchittar aka Periyalwar. Several other short stories are included in Amuktamalyada in the course of the main story of ''Godadevi'', including the story of a brahma-rakshasa and an untouchable devotee (Maladasari Katha). The Sanskrit name Amuktamalyada means the one who gives a garland that has been put on and taken off. Krishna Deva Raya was also well-versed in Sanskrit, Tamil and Kannada. ''Jambavati Kalyanamu'' is his Sanskrit work.<ref name="telugu1">''Amuktamalyada'' 1-13,15</ref>
===Tamil literature===
[[File:செவரப்பூண்டி கிருஷ்ணதேவராயர் கல்வெட்டு.JPG|thumbnail|right|Tamil inscription of Krishnadevaraya, Severappoondi]]
Krishna Deva Raya patronised the Tamil poet [[Haridasa]] and Tamil literature soon began to flourish as the years passed by.<ref name="Tamil1">Dr. S.U. Kamat, ''Concise history of Karnataka'', pp 157-189, ''History of South India'', pp 331-354, Prof. K.A.N. Sastri</ref>
===Sanskrit literature===
In Sanskrit, [[Vyasatirtha]] wrote ''Bhedo-jjivana'', ''Tat-parya-chandrika'', ''Nyaya-mrita'' (a work directed against Advaita philosophy) and ''Tarka-tandava''. Krishna Deva Raya himself an accomplished scholar wrote ''Madalasa Charita'', ''Satyavadu Parinaya'' and ''Rasamanjari'' and ''Jambavati Kalyana''.<ref name="sanskrit1">Dr. S.U. Kamat, ''Concise history of Karnataka'', pg.157-189</ref><ref name="sanskrit2">Prof K.A.N. Sastri, ''History of South India'' pg.239-280</ref><ref name="sanskrit4">Prof K.A.N. Sastri, ''History of South India'' pg.309-330</ref>
==Religion and culture==
[[File:Tirumala overview.jpg|thumb|Tirumala Temple and [[Vaikuntam Queue Complex]] (semicircular building in the foreground) as seen from Srivari Padalu on Narayanagiri hill]]
Krishna Deva Raya respected all sects of Hinduism and lavished on the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] numerous objects of priceless value, ranging from diamond studded crowns to golden swords. Additionally, he is known to have commissioned the making of statues of himself and his two wives at the temple complex.These statues are still visible at the temple at the exit.
He also contributed in building parts of [[Srisailam]] temple complex.
Krishna Deva Raya was formally initiated into the Vaishnava Sampradaya by [[Vyasatirtha]].<ref name="kula">Haridasas of Karnataka, Narahari S. Pujar, Shrisha Rao and H.P. Raghunandan [http://www.dvaita.org/scholars/vyasaraja/]</ref> He patronised poets and scholars in [[Kannada language|Kannada]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and Sanskrit.
Sri Vyasatirtha was his Kula-Guru.
== References==
* Smith, Vincent, ''Oxford History of India'', Fourth Edition, pgs. 306-307, and 312-313.
* Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat, Concise history of Karnataka, 2001, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002).
* Prof K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002)
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
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==External links==
{{commons category|Krishnadevaraya}}
*[http://www.vepachedu.org/krishnarayalu.htm The Golden Era of Telugu Literature] from the Vepachedu Educational Foundation
*[http://www.tirumala.org/maintemple_tour_pratima.htm Krishnadevaraya's complex at Tirupati]
*[http://www.tirumala.org/pg_history.htm Statutes of Krishnadevaraya and his wives at Tirupati.]
*[http://www.vijayanagaracoins.com/htm/krishna.htm Gold coins issued during Krishnadevaraya's reign]
*[http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/3310 A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): a contribution to the history of India] (Translation of the ''Chronica dos reis de Bisnaga'' written by Domingos Paes and Fernão Nunes about 1520 and 1535, respectively, with a historical introduction by Robert Sewell)
*[http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Giver_of_the_Worn_Garland_KRISHNADEV.html?id=g0eTDF3uLVgC Giver of the Worn Garland: Krishnadevaraya's Amuktamalyada, translated by Srinivas Reddy (Penguin Books, 2010)]
{{S-start}}
{{Succession box|title=[[Vijayanagara empire]]|before=[[Viranarasimha Raya]]|after=[[Achyuta Deva Raya]] |years=1509–1529}}
{{S-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Persondata
| NAME = Krishnadevaraya
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Vijayanagara Emperor
| DATE OF BIRTH = 17 January 1471
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Hampi, Karnataka
| DATE OF DEATH = 1529
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
[[Category:Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Vijayanagara Empire]]
[[Category:People from Karnataka]]
[[Category:History of Karnataka]]
[[Category:1529 deaths]]
[[Category:Mangaloreans]]
[[Category:Tulu people]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
[[Category:1471 births]]
[[Category:Kshatriya]]' |