Start hereAbout 1 min
Chapter Overview Map
Gajapatis, Vijayanagara and Regional Powers in Andhra (about 1323–1652)
6.1 A contested frontier
- After the Kakatiya fall in 1323, the Musunuri Nayakas, Reddis, Recherla Velamas and Bahmanis competed for Andhra.
- From the 15th century the Gajapatis of Odisha and Vijayanagara fought over the forts of coastal Andhra.
6.2–6.3 The Gajapatis
- Kapilendra (crowned 1435) took Rajahmundry (about 1448) and Kondavidu (1454).
- Krishnadevaraya took their Andhra forts in 1514–16, and Golconda took the rest of the coast later.
6.4–6.5 Vijayanagara in Andhra
- Founded about 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka I, it was ruled by four dynasties.
- After Talikota (1565) the rulers moved to Penukonda and then Chandragiri, so the state survived in Andhra.
6.6–6.7 Government and economy
- Amara-nayakas held territory in return for troops and tribute; ayagars served each village.
- Tanks such as Porumamilla (1369) and ports such as Pulicat supported farming and trade.
6.8–6.9 Faith, letters and art
- Rulers patronised Tirumala; Annamacharya sang there and Krishnadevaraya wrote *Amuktamalyada* in Telugu.
- Lepakshi has the best-known Vijayanagara murals in Andhra.
Don't confuse
- Prataparudra Kakatiya lost Warangal in 1323; Prataparudra Gajapati ruled Odisha from 1497.
- Talikota (1565) was a defeat; the empire lasted till about 1646–52 from Andhra and Tamil forts.
Notice how the first five branches move from politics to government and culture, while the last branch separates two pairs of facts that are easy to mix up.