The ‘Vijayanagara’ or ‘City of Victory’ was the name of the city as well as an empire that was founded by two brothers, Harihara and Bukka in 1336 AD. The Vijayanagara kings competed with contemporary rulers like Sultans of Deccan and the Gajapati rulers of Orissa (now Odisha). The sources of Vijayanagar empire history include accounts of foreign travellers, Indigenous Works (local vernacular literature), and archaeological excavations.
Society and Economy under Vijaynagara Empire
Sources of Vijayanagar Empire
| Sources | Literary Works | Information |
| Foreign Traveller Accounts
| Rehlatar Tuhfat-un-Nuzzat by Ibn Batuta | Account of the empire under Harihara I |
| Matla as Sadain Wa Majma ul Bahrain by Abdur Razzaq | An account of the reign of Devaraya II | |
| An Account of Countries Bordering the Indian Ocean and their Inhabitants by Duarte Barbosa | A vivid account of Vijaynagara governance under Krishna Deva Raya | |
| Domingo Paes gave the most detailed accounts of all historic descriptions of ancient city Hampi | Governance under Krishna Deva Raya of Vijayanagara Empire | |
| Fernao Nuniz gave a detailed account of the history of Vijaynagar. | Mentioned the cultural aspects of the empire and admire the jewels worn of women as well as how women were appointed in the King's service and also detailed account on the foundation of the city | |
| Indigenous Works | 1. Manucharitam by Allasani Peddan 2. Gangdas Pratapa Vilasam by Gangadhara 3. Amuktarmalyada by Krishnadeva Raya | Polity and political ideas of the ruler's society and the caste system |
| Archaeological Sources | Salu Vabhyudyam by Rajanatha Dindima | 1. A contemporary drama, deals with the siege of Vijayanagara city by the Brahmins and the Gajapatis of Odisha after the death of Deva Raya II 2. Historical eulogy of Saluva Dynasty |
| Inscriptions | Bagapellisi Copper Plate Inscription | Achievement of Harihara I |
| Bitragunta grant of Sangama II | Genealogy of 5 Sangama Brothers | |
| Channa Raya Pateeka Inscription of Harihara II | Successful invasions of Bukka I | |
| Srirangam Copper Plates of Deva Raya II | Achievements of Bukka I | |
| Devulapalli Copper Plates of Immadi Narasimha | Genealogy of Saluva Dynasty |
The most striking feature about the location of Vijayanagara is the natural basin formed by the river Tungabhadra which flows in a northeasterly direction. The history of the Vijayanagara Empire was recovered through the efforts of Mr. R Sewell, who was the Keeper of the Madras Record Office and was tasked with the responsibility for documenting ancient inscriptions and remains in the region. From the above sources, we know how the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire maintained the well-functioning administrative methods developed by their predecessors and also their style of architecture.
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