Material

Copper

Number of Plates

A set of multiple plates

Weight & Dimensions

Exact weight unknown; usually around 2-5 kg per plate in similar inscriptions

Script

Sanskrit & Kannada, written in Nāgarī characters

Date

Saka 1328 (1406 CE)

Dynasty

Sangama Dynasty of Vijayanagara Empire

Issued By

King Devaraya I

Purpose

Issued as a grant to Brahmins & religious institutions during coronation ceremony of Devaraya I

Unique Feature of Seal

Depicts Vamana (incarnation of Vishnu) instead of traditional Varaha (boar emblem of Vijayanagara Empire)

Lineage Mentioned

Traces genealogy from Chandra → Yadu → Sangama → Harihara, Kampa, Bukka, Mãrapa & Muddapa

Land Grant Details

Village of Gudipalli along with two hamlets (Rajendramada & Udayapalli)
Renamed as Devarayapura-agrahāra

Division of Land

61 shares allotted among Brahmins
26.5 shares to Rigvedins
29.5 shares to Yajurvedins
3 shares to Shukla Yajurvedins
2 shares as Devabhaga (divine share) for Somanatha (Shiva) & Janardhana (Vishnu)

Location of Grant

Mulbagal rājya, Hodēnāda-sthala (Modern-day Karnataka)

Discovery

Found in a private collection, later acquired by Falcon Coins Gallery & studied by ASI

Significance

First known coronation copper plate from Vijayanagara Empire
Confirms coronation date of Devaraya I
Provides information on land administration, revenue system & social hierarchy in Vijayanagara

Founded By

Harihara I & Bukka Raya I in 1336 CE

Capital

Anegondi (1336) → Vijayanagara (shifted by Bukka Raya I)

Governance Model

Monarchy with a strong centralized administration

Provincial Governance

Divided into Rajyas (provinces), Nadu (districts), Sthalas (sub-districts) & Grama (villages)

Military Governance

Nayankara system Nayakas (local governors) controlled military & land

Revenue System

Land tax (Vetti, Kadamai & Sist)
Trade duties & irrigation taxes

Law & Justice

Based on Hindu Dharma Shastras with local village councils (Sabhas) administering justice

Foreign Relations

Engaged in wars with Bahmani Sultanate, Gajapati Kingdom (Orissa) & Reddis of Kondavidu
Maintained trade relations with Arabian traders, Portuguese, Chinese & Persians

Decline

1565 CE Battle of Talikota Vijayanagara was defeated by Deccan Sultanates, leading to its fall

Agriculture

Intensive irrigation projects (e.g. Tungabhadra & Haridra River dams)
Crops Rice, millet, cotton, betel nuts & spices

Industry

Metallurgy Advanced iron & copper smelting
Textiles Cotton & silk production

Mining

Diamond mines at Golconda
Gold & copper extraction

Trade Centers

Ports Bhatkal, Mangalore, Pulicat, Machilipatnam
Markets Hampi, Chandragiri

Foreign Trade

Exports Spices, textiles, gems
Imports Horses from Persia, firearms from Portuguese

Coinage

Gold Varahas, Silver Taras, Copper Coins

Key Battles

Wars with Bahmani Sultanate, Gajapati Kingdom & Reddis of Kondavidu
Battle of Talikota (1565) Defeat by Deccan Sultanates

Army Composition

Infantry, cavalry, war elephants & artillery

Foreign Military Influence

Turkic archers & Persian horse trade

Naval Strength

Maintained a fleet for coastal defense

Temple Architecture

Virupaksha Temple
Vittala Temple (Famous for its Stone Chariot)
Hazara Rama Temple (Reliefs depicting Ramayana)

Palace Complex

Lotus Mahal
Queen Bath

Water Infrastructure

Stepwells & Reservoirs
Kamalapuram & Manmatha Tank

Languages Used

Kannada, Telugu, Sanskrit, Tamil

Literary Works

Kannada Kumara Vyasa Gadugina Bharata, Chamarasa Prabhulinga Leele
Sanskrit Sayana Vedic Commentaries
Telugu Srinatha Haravilasam

Patronized Scholars

Vidyaranya, Sayana, Kumara Vyasa, Chamarasa, Abdur Razzak (Persian chronicler)

Harihara I

1336 to 1356

Co-founder of Vijayanagara Empire.
Introduced Nayankara System (military officers as local governors).
Expanded kingdom after Hoysala Veera Ballala III death (1343).
Built Barkuru Fort in Karnataka.

Bukka Raya I

1356 to 1377

Shifted capital to Vijayanagara from Anegondi.
Defeated Sultanate of Madurai (1371).
Engaged in wars with Bahmani Sultanate.
Patronized Telugu poet Nachana Soma, Vidyaranya & Sayana.

Harihara II

1377 to 1406

Conquered Nellore, Kalinga, Belgaum & Goa.
Patronized Jain poet Madhura.
Earned titles Vaidikamarga Sthapanacharya, Vedamarga Pravartaka.

Deva Raya I

1406 to 1422

Fought Bahmani Sultanate & Velamas of Telangana.
Modernized army Imported Turkic archers, Persian & Arabian horses.
Constructed dams on Tungabhadra & Haridra Rivers.
Integrated 10,000 Muslims into his army First Vijayanagara king to do so.
Nicolo Conti (Italian traveler) & Nikitin (Russian merchant) visited during his reign.

Deva Raya II

1425 to 1446

Expanded empire to its peak.
Patronized Kannada poets Chamarasa, Kumara Vyasa & Telugu poet Srinatha.
Earned title Gajabetegara (Hunter of Elephants).
Persian chronicler Abdur Razzak described Vijayanagara grandeur.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. With reference to Vijayanagara Empire consider following statements:

1. The empire was founded by Harihara I & Bukka Raya I in 1336.
2. Nayankara system was a military administrative setup where Nayakas were given land grants in return for military services.
3. Battle of Talikota (1565) led to complete destruction of Vijayanagara city.

Which of above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 & 2 only
(b) 2 & 3 only
(c) 1, 2 & 3
(d) 1 & 3 only

Correct Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 by Harihara I & Bukka Raya I.

Statement 2 is correct: Nayankara system was a military & administrative arrangement where Nayakas (military chiefs) were given land grants in return for maintaining troops.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Although Battle of Talikota (1565) severely weakened Vijayanagara empire continued under Aravidu dynasty. It was not completely destroyed