Explain the role of Krishnadeva Raya as an empire builder.
“Krishnadeva Raya’s rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation.” Justify the statements on the basis of evidences.
Krishnadeva Raya belonged to the Tuluva dynasty of the Vijayanagara empire. He ruled from 1509 to 1529. He was the most famous ruler of Vijayanagara empire. He was a good writer. He composed a work on statecraft in Telgu known as the Amuktamalyada. About traders he wrote :
“A king should improve the harbours of his country and so encourage its commerce that horses, elephants, precious gems, sandalwood, pearls and other articles are freely imported... He should arrange that the foreign sailors who land in his country on account of storms, illness and exhaustion are looked after in a suitable manner... Make the merchants of distant foreign countries who import elephants and good horses be attached to yourself by providing them with daily audience, presents and allowing decent profits. Then those articles will never go to your enemies.”
His rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation. This was the time when the land between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers (the Raichur doab) was acquired (1512), the rulers of Orissa were subdued (1514) and severe defeats were inflicted on the Sultan of Bijapur (1520).
His other works—Although the kingdom remained in a constant state of military preparedness it flourished under conditions of unparalleled peace and prosperity. Krishnadeva Raya is credited with building some fine temples and adding impressive gopurams to many important south Indian temples. He also founded a suburban township near Vijayanagara called Nagalapuram after his mother.
