Explain how Krishna deva Raya was able to expand and consolidate his empire of Vijayanagara? Explain the causes of the decline of Vijayanagara after his death.
Krishnadeva Raya’s rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation.
(i) This was the time when the land between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers was acquired, the rulers of Orissa were subdued and severe defeats were inflicted on the sultan of Bijapur.
(ii) Although the kingdom remained in a constant state of military preparedness, it flourished under conditions of unparalleled peace and prosperity.
(iii) Krishnadeva Raya is credited with building some fine temples and adding impressive gopurams to many important south Indian temples.
(iv) He also founded a suburban township near Vijayanagara called Nagalapuram after his mother.
The causes of the decline of Vijayanagara were:
(i)His successors were troubled by rebellious nayakas or military chiefs.
(ii) In 1565, Rama Raya, the chief ministers of Vijayanagara, led the army in to battle at Rakshai-Tangadi, where his forces were routed by the combined armies of Bijapur, Ahmadanagar and Golconda.
(iii) The victorious armies sacked the city of Vijayanagara. The city was totally abandoned within a few years.
(iv) It was the adventurous policy of Rama Raya who tried to play off Sultan against another that led the Sultans to combine together and decisively defeat him.
