Vijayanagar -Part 12 -THE HAUNTING QUESTIONS

Posted Mon, 11/09/2009 - 16:24 by Deepu.Rss

Nothing can be said in defence of Hindu troops that lost the war. The long history India has seen so many of such battles being fought. But four major wars that resulted in the complete downfall of the country are:

1. Battle of Panipat ( Haryana): Fought three times at the same venue. First was Babar against Ibrahim lodhi in 1526 resulting in victory of Babar. Second was between Akbar and Hemu in 1556 and the third battle of Panipat was between Marathas and Afghans in 1761.

2. Battle of Plassey(West Bengal):Between Robert Clive and Siraj Ud daulah in 1757 which led to the Major victory of British in India.

3. Haldighati(Udaipur, Rajasthan): Between Raja Man singh, General of Akbar and Rana pratap Singh in 1576.

4. The battle of Talikota ( Karnataka): Fought between combined forces of Islam in south India and the vijayanagar troops in 1565 leading to the complete downfall of Hindu empire in south India.

All these were mainly fought in 15th century which subsequently lead to the downfall of whole of India for the next 4 centuries.

Some questions still haunt when spoken of Vijayanagar:

1 . Did the rulers of Vijayanagar remember the very idea and motto of their existence?

2. Was there no social and national awareness among the people of capital city? Why did they not show any resistance to the agressors?

3. Is the wealth and vast army sufficient to protect the Kingdom?

4. When Gilani soldiers were secretly invited to the enemy camp what was the intelligence of Ramaraya doing?

5. Tirumala and Venkatadri had once intrigued against Ramaraya for the throne and when the oppurtunity came after his death, why did they turn their backs to the Hindu empire?

6. Why didn`t the troops fight even after the death of Ramaraya? Was there no one, even a single soldier who could lead the army?

7. Is Krishnadeva Raya justified in nominating Achyuthadeva Raya as his successor?

The Great empire of Vijayanagar did not even last for 35 years after Krishnadeva Raya. Was there no other king being raised for the very purpose of leading the country. Was the royal family runout of such able children?

The history imposes on us, such questions and prompts us to learn some lessons.

It is said that "if you dont learn lessons from History, History will teach you a Lesson"

Time to think, ponder and learn.

---------------- Note: Content of this blog post is writer's personal opinion and may not be SanghParivar.org or Sangh's view.

Comments

Anonymous's picture

Even though Vijaynagar army

by Anonymous (not verified) - 11/24/2009 - 23:12

Even though Vijaynagar army was twice as numerous as Deccan Sultanates ,latter had more artillery. Around Six hundred Field Batteries were arranged in front of Hussien Nizam Shah in the Centre of Muslim Forces opposing Ramaraya's army.

This gave the Deccan army the lethal power to soften the Ramaraya's centre. There was murderous assault on Vijayanagar army on two Occassions . Vijayanagara forces had to face huge Casualties in the centre even though Vijayanagar Left and Right wings were able push the Enemey lines.
Ramaraya was trying to take the advantage of gains from other two wings, encouraged his men to finish the Centre of the Deccan army. But heavy cannons from the Centre of Deccan army loaded with Bags of Copper Coins were fired when Ramaraya’s soldiers came close within the Striking Distance.
This was so much devastating, around 5000 men were immediatey perished right in front of Deccan Artillery .
Seizing the advantage, Deccan army with 5000 strong Cavalry made their way into the ranks of Vijayanagar which was in great disarray. In this moment, they were able to capture Ramaraya alive and Brought him in front of Hussien Nizam Shah. Hussien within no time decapitated Ramaraya by his own hands. Rest was History, the great Hindu Kingdom was murdered.

Vijayanagar Soldiers ran helter and Skelter seeing the head of Ramaraya being shown to them by fixing it on to the long Lance by the Deccan army.

Brothers did not put any Resistance, only surviving Brother Tirumala hastily retreated to Vijayanagr. Many thousands of Vijayanagar Soldiers were Chased successfully and put to death by the Victors.

Causes of Hindu Defeat:
There was no structured Command in the Vijayanagara army, they were dependent on three Brothers . So the strategy was not clear in the event of adversities.
The fire power of Deccan army was much effective and Best in the World during that period. The Vijayanagara army artillery was no match to the invading Deccan artillery .
Ramaraya was dependent on his Infantry forces which was ill armed and ill trained . Many were perished by Deccan artillery.

The Artillery Fire Power was ignored by Vijayanagara Rulers right from the days of Krishnadevaraya. His famous Victory in Raichur Battle was due his strong cavalry which managed to overpower the Bijapur Guns. But Deccanis were more innovative, they improved the Fire power over the Years. But Vijayanagara rulers never worried for the mordernization of Forces, instead there was Constant internal bickering to siege the power after the Death of Krishna Devaraya. The import of Robust Horses through Portuguese Goa was declined during the Time of Talikota war.

Lessons to Learn from all these Defeats:
History warns us repeatedly to be Vigilant and Conscious. If We remain stagnant and not Conscious of our Internal and External space then the devastation is imminent.
Our Population is hardly aware of the history and the ruling Class keeping them more Ignorant. There is very much bankruptcy in Spiritual and Moral Ethos and our Youth are involved very much in material and immoral pleasures without any Love for their Culture and Nation. Our Enemies are more determined , they are more lethal , effective and Constantly evolving in their approach with each time giving the stronger punch to us. We are totally ignorant of the Enemies strength, soon there are more such Taikota’s to teach us lessons .