With the extension of Muslim rule over the Deccan in the first half of the 14th century, the political situation in South India underwent a dramatic change. The declining powers of the existing South Indian kings like the Hoysalas, the Pandyas, the Kakatiyas and the Yadavas yielded place for the establishment of powerful kingdom, the VIJAYANAGARA at Hampi
The empire's patronage enabled fine arts and literature to reach new heights in the languages of Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit, while Carnatic music evolved into its current form. Efficient administration and vigorous overseas trade brought new technologies like water management systems for irrigation. The Vijayanagara Empire created an epoch in South Indian history that transcended regionalism by promoting Hinduism as a unifying factor.
Four dynasties ruled over the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 - 1565
The first dynasty to rule the empire were the Sangamgas (AD 1336-1485) who extended the kingdom from Gulbarga in the north and Sri Lanka in the south, to Orissa in the east and Malabar in the west.
Following this dynasty were the Suluvas, whose short reign from 1485-1491, was probably a result of weak rulers, political infighting and foreign aggressors.
Historians generally regard the reign of the Tuluvas (AD 1491-1570) as the golden age of the empire. Two great kings ruled during this time: Deva Raya (AD 1424-1446) and the greatest of all, Krishan Deva Raya (AD 1509-1530), who was responsible for erecting a vast number of the temples and structures which can still be found at the site
The kingdom lingered on for another seventy-six years with the Aravidus (AD 1571-1646) being credited as the last dynasty, but former glories had long since diminished.
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