Studies in the History of the Third Dynasty of Vijayanagara

Book excerpt: The Empire of Vijayanagara was the last flicker of Hindu State and administration in India. The Empire played an important role in the history of medieval India, not only for its victorious army, progressive foreign relations and sound administration, but also for its patronage to art, culture, literature and religion. The present work is a history of the Vijayanagara Empire during the rule of its third dynasty, i.e. since 1530. The work is divided into three parts, dealing with (1) principal events in the history of Vijayanagara between 1529 and 1943, (2) System of administration under which the Empire of the Rayas was governed in the sixteenth century and (3) religious and social conditions. The work is based on authentic source materials, viz. inscriptions and literature. The inscriptions used for this research fall in to two classes, (1) those copied by the Epigraphy Department and (2) those that included in the Mackenzie Manuscripts. The texts of the Inscriptions, some of which are still unpublished, have been diligently scrutinized and interpreted. Among the contemporary literary creations, relevant portions of the prabandhas and kavyas have been compared with the inscriptions and Portuguese records. Works of the Muslim historians have also been occasionally consulted. The work presents a detailed study of the administrative system, fiscal policy, law enforcing machinery, social conditions, religious sects and movements during the period under study. The work is a valuable contribution to the history of South India.