Deva Raya II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deva Raya II |
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bronze Pagoda of Deva Raya II
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| Vijayanagara Emperor | |
| Reign | 10 February 1423 – May 1446 |
| Predecessor | Bukka Raya III |
| Successor | Deva Raya III |
| Born | Vijayanagar, Vijayanagara Empire (modern day Hampi, Karnataka, India) |
| Died | 1456 CE Vijayanagar, Vijayanagara Empire (modern day Hampi, Karnataka, India) |
| Issue | Deva Raya III |
| House | Sangama |
| Father | Bukka Raya III |
| Mother | unknown |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Deva Raya II was a powerful emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1423 to 1446 CE. He was one of the greatest rulers from the Sangama dynasty. He was known as a skilled leader, a brave warrior, and a smart scholar.
Deva Raya II wrote important works in Kannada and Sanskrit. He also supported many famous poets and writers of his time. These included Kannada poets like Chamarasa and Kumara Vyasa, and the famous Telugu language poet Srinatha. The king even gave Srinatha the special title Kavisarvabhauma, which means "Emperor of poets". He also supported the mathematician Parameshvara from the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics.
Historians say Deva Raya II had the title Gajabeteegara. This means "Hunter of elephants". It might have meant he loved hunting elephants. Or it could have been a way to say he was very strong, like an elephant, and won many battles against powerful enemies. His empire was very large, stretching from Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) to Gulbarga and from Orissa to the Malabar. He even had a fleet of ships to help with trade and connections overseas.
Contents
A Powerful Empire
Battles and Growth
Deva Raya II's rule was a very important time for South India. He became emperor after his father, Veera Vijaya Bukka Raya. Even before he was emperor, around 1423, he had already won battles against the Bahamani Sultanate.
He fought three important battles against the Gajapati Kingdom of Odisha. He also stopped an invasion by the Reddis of Kondavidu. By 1432, he had brought many smaller rulers in the region under Vijayanagara's control. This helped the empire grow stronger.
Challenges with the Sultanate
After a short time of peace, the Vijayanagara Empire went to war again with their old rivals, the Bahamani Sultanate. These wars had mixed results.
Around 1436, a new ruler, Ala-ud-din II, became the Bahamani Sultan. He demanded tribute from Deva Raya II. During this time, the Vijayanagara armies faced some defeats. To make his army stronger, Deva Raya II even included many skilled Muslim soldiers.
There were different stories about what caused the wars. Some say Deva Raya II refused to pay tribute. Others say the Sultan tried to take advantage when Deva Raya II was attacked in his palace. Despite these challenges, Deva Raya II worked to keep his empire strong. Some areas were lost, but the Vijayanagara armies also had successes, capturing places like Raichur.
Success in the South
Deva Raya II's empire also included Kerala. He defeated the ruler of Quilon and other local leaders. His skilled commander, Lakkanna, even went to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and collected rich tributes there. The Zamorin of Calicut and even kings from Burma paid tribute to Deva Raya II. This showed how powerful and respected he was.
Visitors from Far Away
During Deva Raya II's reign, two important travelers visited South India. One was the Italian explorer Nicolo Conti, and the other was the Persian writer Abdur Razzak.
Nicolo Conti wrote that "the king of Vijayanagar is more powerful than all the other kings in India." Abdur Razzak was amazed by the city of Vijayanagara. He wrote that he had never seen anything like it in the world. He said the city had seven strong walls and was very large.
Both travelers agreed that the country was full of towns and villages. Abdur Razzak noted that the land was well-farmed and very fertile. He also said the king had a huge army of over a million soldiers. He described the city's markets where jewelers openly sold precious gems like pearls, rubies, and diamonds. He also mentioned beautiful streams and canals in the king's palace.
Culture and Arts
Deva Raya II's time was a golden age for Kannada literature. Many famous Kannada writers of the 15th century were in his court. These included Chamarasa and Kumara Vyasa. The king himself was also a writer. He wrote romantic stories like Sobagina Sone and Amaruka.
In the Telugu language, this was the time of the great poet Srinatha. He was very skilled in both Telugu and Sanskrit. He even won a debate against a famous Sanskrit scholar. Srinatha was given the title Kavisarvabhauma by the king. The king showed his appreciation by showering Srinatha with gold coins.
