# Vijayanagara–Gajapati War

The Vijayanagara–Gajapati War was a major conflict between the Vijayanagara Empire under emperor Krishnadevaraya and the Gajapati Kingdom, led by Prataparudra Deva. The war began with Krishnadevaraya's determined campaign to capture Udayagiri Fort, held by Tirumala Routaraya, a key Gajapati commander. After several failed attempts, Krishnadevaraya personally led the assault and successfully captured the fort in 1514.
He accordingly directed his attention towards Kondaveedu, which was held by Prince Virabhadra, son of Prataparudra Deva. In 1515, assisted by his general Timmarusu, Krishnadevaraya captured Kondavidu and took Virabhadra captive. The war ended with Prataparudra Deva suing for peace and giving his daughter in marriage to Krishnadevaraya, thus marking the political alliance between the two states.

## Background

Krishnadevaraya ascended to the throne of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1509, during a period of intense rivalry with the Bahmani Sultanate in the Deccan region. These conflicts were driven by territorial disputes and struggles for regional supremacy. Bahmani forces had previously conducted annual raids into Vijayanagara territories with little resistance. However, Krishnadevaraya adopted a more aggressive military strategy upon his coronation, signaling a shift in the empire's approach to defending its territories.
In 1509, when Bahmani forces led by Sultan Mahmud Shah II launched their customary invasion from Bidar, they were met with unexpected and decisive resistance from Krishnadevaraya's army. This successful defense marked a turning point in the ongoing conflict, as Krishnadevaraya's proactive campaigns not only repelled the invasion but also strengthened Vijayanagara’s dominance in the Deccan. These efforts significantly altered the balance of power between the two states and solidified Krishnadevaraya's legacy as a formidable ruler and military leader.

## War
### Siege of Udayagiri (1513-1514)

Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara secured his northern borders before directing his forces eastward to lay siege to the formidable hill fortress of Udayagiri, located in present-day Nellore. The fortress was held by Tirumala Rautaraya on behalf of his nephew, Prataparudra Deva of Orissa. After several unsuccessful attempts, Krishnadevaraya personally took command, defeated a relief army led by Prataparudra Deva, and captured the fortress through a storming assault between January 1513 and June 9, 1514.

### Siege of Kondavidu (1515)

In early 1515, after a brief respite of just a few months, Krishna Deva Raya resumed military campaigns. While Udayagiri had provided his polity with strategic advantages, he yearned for a more natural frontier. Driven by the desire for military renown and to cement his legacy in history, he commanded Saluva Timmarusu to prepare provisions and ensure the full payment of his forces. With these preparations complete, Krishna Deva Raya set out in 1515 to capture Kondaveedu, a key fort that had been lost in 1514. By this time, Kondaveedu had become a significant stronghold and the capital of a province, with Prince Virabhadra, a son of Prataparudra Deva, in charge. Upon learning that the Gajapati monarch was marching to its defense with a massive army of 1,300 elephants, 20,000 cavalry, and 500,000 infantry, Krishnadevaraya left a small force to continue the siege of Kondaveedu and led his main army forward to confront the Gajapati forces.

### Battle of Meduru (1515)

Four leagues on, the Vijayanagar army came upon Prataparudra Deva, camped on the opposite bank of a river. While stationed over in their own side of the river, the Raya sent a message over into Prataparudra Deva's camp, which said to avoid unnecessary loss of life during crossing, the best method would be either to allow Vijayanagar forces to cross without opposition or for Orissa to cross without opposition while the Vijayanagar forces were withdrawn two leagues. But he did not answer, and there was some fighting between the two. Thus a few skirmishes were jumped into, claims with heavy loss on either side. In the end, the Vijayanagar forces crossed and fought a major battle on the far bank, where the Gajapati ruler was probably soundly defeated and forced to flee. Krishnadevaraya would capture many horses and elephants from the Orissan forces before resuming the siege of Kondaveedu.

### Capture of Kondavidu (1515)

Following the departure of Krishnadevaraya, a standoff of almost two months around the walls of Kondaveedu was started. Another attack by the main body of his army made further defense impossible, and, after a day and a half of resistance, on June 23, 1515, the fort fell. Among those taken prisoners were Prince Virabhadra, Naraharipatra (son of Kumara Hammira Mahapatra), Mullukhan, Uddanda Khan of Raichur, Rachi-Raju of Pusapadu, Srinath Raju and Lakshmipathi Raju (sons of Rama Raju), Kesava Patra of Jamjala, Balachandra Mahapatra from the west, and other nobles and feudatory chiefs. The Oriya prince was sent off to Vijayanagar for protection. Timmarusu was appointed to command the captured fort, but choosing to march alongside the king, he left his brother Kondayya as his representative.
The Vijayanagar army then moved to capture the remaining forts in the region. Vinukonda surrendered, and Mantri Bhaskara was left in charge. Bellamkonda was captured and handed over to Veerabhadrayya, while Nagarjunakonda was entrusted to Ayyalaya. With the capture of other forts such as Addanki, Ammanabolu, Tangedu, and Kesavaram, the conquest of the Kondaveedu province was completed, and the Vijayanagara frontier was restored to its former boundaries along the mouths of the Krishna River.

### Capture of Kondapalli (1516)

After returning home, Krishnadevaraya rested for only 5 or 6 months. However, inactivity was not in his nature. While his earlier military conquests had secured his empire, it is likely that Krishnadevaraya felt that although victory was achieved on the battlefield, no formal peace had been made with his enemies, leaving his empire vulnerable. The Gajapati monarch once again gathered his best soldiers at Kondapalli, just 5 miles north of Krishnadevaraya's territory, posing a renewed threat. To ensure the security of his empire, Krishnadevaraya decided to launch another campaign to decisively defeat his adversary and secure the much-needed peace.
Rounding up the capture of the remaining forts in the area, the Vijayanagar army moved to the region. Vinukonda surrendered and Mantri Bhaskara was appointed to maintain it. Bellamkonda was captured and delivered to Veerabhadrayya while Nagarjunakonda was assigned to Ayyalaya. The completion of the conquest of the province of Kondaveedu was marked by the conquest of such forts as Addanki, Ammanabolu, Tangedu, and Kesavaram in order to set the Vijayanagara frontier back to its former limits at the mouths of the Krishna River.

### Conquest of Kalinga (1516)

After an incident, Krishnadevaraya turned east and marched towards Simhadri via Jammiloya, where he waited for six months for Prataparudra Deva to meet him. During this time, he visited Srikakulam to pay homage to the deity Andhra-Madhusudana. Meanwhile, Prataparudra Deva called a council of war with his key vassals, including sixteen prominent lords, who declared war on Krishnadevaraya.
As the battle preparations intensified, Krishnadevaraya's minister Timmarusu resorted to diplomacy. He sent agents with bribes and treasonous letters to the Gajapati nobles, encouraging them to betray their king. Some letters were intentionally misdelivered, and when Prataparudra Deva discovered them, he fled to the Vindhya jungles, followed by his confused vassals. With the Gajapati forces in disarray, Krishnadevaraya easily captured Cuttack, the enemy capital, and celebrated his victory by erecting a pillar of triumph.

## Aftermath
### Peace with Gajapatis

In 1516, Krishnadevaraya's expedition to Orissa aimed for military glory rather than plunder. He instructed his soldiers to avoid harming the city, ensuring that both the poor and the Gajapati's palaces were protected from pillage. After securing local goodwill, Krishnadevaraya sent a message to the fleeing King Prataparudra Deva, offering to return the conquered territories if peace was made. Impressed by this generosity, Prataparudra Deva returned to his capital.
The peace negotiations were led by Timmarusu, who used his diplomatic skill to convince Prataparudra Deva to give his daughter, Tukka, in marriage to Krishnadevaraya. The marriage was celebrated with great pomp, and Prataparudra Deva also agreed to give Krishnadevaraya the provinces south of the Krishna River as part of the dowry. In return, Krishnadevaraya relinquished his newly conquered lands north of the river, signaling goodwill towards his father-in-law. This agreement ended their hostilities, securing peace between the two once-enemy kings. Krishnadevaraya returned home with his bride in June 1516, accompanied by the Gajapati's ministers and attendants.