Context
The first-ever epigraphical reference to the date of death of Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya has been discovered at Honnenahalli in Tumakuru district of Karnataka.
What did the inscription tells?
- Krishnadevaraya, one of the greatest emperors of India who ruled from the South, died on October 17, 1529, and incidentally this day was marked by a lunar eclipse.
About Krishnadeva Raya
- Krishnadevaraya was born to Nagala Devi and Tuluva Narasa Nayaka.
- The Tulava dynasty was founded by Krishnadevaraya’s father and Krishnadevaraya was the third ruler in this dynasty.
- Tulavas were staunch Vaishnavites.
- Krishnadevaraya is also known as Andhra Bhoja and Kannada Rajya Ramana in honor of his victories and conquests of lands in the Krishna-Tungabhadra basin
- He built the Vithalaswamy temple and the Hazar Rama Temple in the Hoysala style of architecture.
- He took active steps to promote agriculture by building dams and irrigation canals.
- He set up a system of provincial government with himself as the absolute head and with trusted aides as governors of smaller provinces.
- He had 8 Telugu scholars and poets in his court, collectively called Ashtadiggajas
Vijayanagara Empire
- Recently Vijayanagar became 31st district of Karnataka
- It is located in Raichur Doab between Tungabhadra and Krishna
- It had 4 dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu
- Hampi (once its capital) is world famoud UNESCO World Heritage Site
