Vijayanagara and the Marathas

🎯 Learning Objective

Learn Krishnadevaraya and Hampi, Shivaji's Ashtapradhan, and the three battles of Panipat.

💡 Concept

• The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, with its capital at Hampi on the Tungabhadra river.
• Its greatest ruler was Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529), who wrote the Telugu work 'Amuktamalyada' and patronised the 'Ashtadiggajas' (eight poets).
• Vijayanagara was crushed at the Battle of Talikota in 1565 by an alliance of the Deccan Sultanates, and Hampi (today a UNESCO World Heritage Site) was destroyed.
• Shivaji (1630–1680) founded the Maratha Empire; he was crowned Chhatrapati at Raigad in 1674.
• Shivaji governed with a council of eight ministers called the 'Ashtapradhan', headed by the Peshwa (prime minister).
• Shivaji used guerrilla warfare (Ganimi Kava) against the Mughals and famously escaped from Aurangzeb at Agra in 1666.
• After Shivaji, the Peshwas became the real power of the expanding Maratha state.
• The three Battles of Panipat were: First (1526, Babur–Ibrahim Lodi), Second (1556, Akbar–Hemu) and Third (1761, Marathas–Ahmad Shah Abdali).

✏️ Easy Example

Q. Shivaji's council of eight ministers was known by what name?

1. It was his cabinet of eight, headed by the Peshwa
2. It was called the Ashtapradhan

Answer: Ashtapradhan

🇮🇳 Real-Life Example

The three Panipat battles and their years are a favourite trap set in exams; and Hampi, a UNESCO site, is a major heritage-tourism destination linked directly to Vijayanagara.

📝 Exam-Level Example

Q. The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was fought between the Marathas and whom?

1. The Marathas were the northern power at the time
2. They were defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani)

Answer: Ahmad Shah Abdali

📝 Exam-Level Example

Q. Who was the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire?

1. He wrote the Telugu classic Amuktamalyada
2. He was Krishnadevaraya

Answer: Krishnadevaraya

🪄 Memory Trick

Panipat years — '26-56-61': First 1526, Second 1556, Third 1761. Only in the Third do the Marathas fight (and lose).

⚠️ Common Mistakes

• ❌ Confusing the three Panipat battles and who fought each one.
• ❌ Placing Hampi in the wrong empire — it is the Vijayanagara capital, not a Maratha city.

🏆 Exam Tips

• ✅ Vijayanagara = Krishnadevaraya + Hampi + Battle of Talikota (1565).
• ✅ Marathas = Shivaji + Chhatrapati (1674) + Ashtapradhan + Peshwa.

📌 Summary

• Vijayanagara founded 1336; capital Hampi; greatest ruler Krishnadevaraya
• Battle of Talikota (1565) destroyed Vijayanagara
• Shivaji: Chhatrapati at Raigad (1674), Ashtapradhan council
• Panipat battles: 1526, 1556, 1761 (Marathas lost the third)