RISE AND FALL OF VIJAYANAGAR - THE HINDU KINGDOM -1

Prelude :

Many Civilizations, dynasties, Kingdoms and Empires have taken birth on the face of Mother Earth. Some famous, some notorious, some wealthy, some strong in Military so on and so forth. There were a couple of such Kingdoms which attracted entire world towards them. Rome, Byzantine, the city of Damascus to name a few.. But Vijayanagar was on top of all of them.

Vijayanagar was established in the year 1336 A D. Its worthy to note the scenario that prevailed across the globe before the inception of the Kingdom.

After the death of Mohammad the Prophet in 632 A D., his four companioons took leadership of the latest monotheistic religion after Judaism and christianity. They quenched the thirst of their holy sword by conquering the neighbourhood countries. Egypt, Damascus, Africa and syria fell in the first phase. The second phase saw the fall of Turkish speaking territories of Tashkand, Samarquand, Mongolia and Bekhara. As early as 636 A D., India saw the first of Islmaic agression in thana, Bombay. But that was foiled. Third phase saw the fall of Sindh to Md. bin kasim.

Thus the period comprising of 600-700 years saw Brutality that the Mother Earth had never witnessed. During that period more than 5 crore people were killed.

In Europe the concept of Rennaisance had just sprouted or was still in the womb of Western thinkers. Western science was in cross Roads discussing and arguing over the shape of Earth and the argument had taken a violent turn too!!

Jews were driven out of their Promised land. 636 A D saw the first Naval attack on India through Sindh. The subsequent centuries were swept away by The Ghories, Ghaznies and it was in the year 1206 A D that the Islamic troops were successful in acceeding the throne at Delhi. But Assam remained free for almost 5 centuries, Orissa for 3 centuries and Gujrath remained free for almost the 13th century.

It took less than three centuries for Jihadis to bring half of India on its Knees but for a few resistances here and there. By early 14th century half of India upto Vindyas was under Islamic rule. South India was not fully conquered though it had tasted the fundamentalist attacks by Malik kafur. He invaded South India which was nothing more than a loot. He destroyed the temples of Madurai, Vellore and Kalahasthi.

All the south Indian rulers submitted before Muslim rulers one after the other. The Pandyas, Devagiri Yadavas, Kakateeyas and the Hoysalas. Warangal was the last to fall.

Small rulers were mute spectators to the onslaught as the mode of attack was totally unseen and unheard for this Race.

Veera Ballala of Hoysala dynasty was the sole survivor of south India and he came to Tiruvannamalai and he organised all the small rulers of that region.

It was a very Momentous and a timely meeting of five brothers. Hakka, Bukka, Marappa, Muddappa, and Kampana. There it was decided to establish a Kingdom to 1. protect and restore Hindu dharma. 2. Fight the Islamic agression 3. Build a strong army 4. Build strong and large forts to protect the people. The task was handed over to Hakka. Saint Vidyaranya also found his Life mission to save and restore Hindu dharma in two youths that is Hakka and Bukka.

It was the vision and Action put together. The Kshatra and the Bramha tejas combined to uphold Sanatana Dharma. Am eminent historian says that Vidyaranya was the first to identify Islam as the Philosphy of Imperialism.

Across the banks of Tunga was established the city of Vidyanagar later came to be known as Vijayanagar . Hakka became the King and saint Vidyaranya chose to act as his Minister. Well begun was half done.