# Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1469–1481)

Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1469–1481) also known as twelfth Bahmani–Vijayanagar War was conflict between Bahmani Kingdom and Vijayanagara Empire.

## Background
### Political conditions of 1469

From the outset of Virupaksha's reign, challenges abounded. Kapilendra Gajapati remained recalcitrant, and in the meantime, the Bahmani Sultanate grew emboldened under Mahmud Gawan's leadership, further eroding Vijayanagar's strength. Internally, he had continuing problems with the Saluvas, but he was losing the public's support because he had taken the throne by killing his own relatives.

### Bhatkal Masscare (1469 A.D)

Between 1382 and 1395, the generals of Harihara II of Vijayanagara waged a prolonged campaign to conquer Goa and the Konkan region. For years, the empire imported horses through Bhatkal, where Moorish traders had settled. In 1469, when these traders began supplying horses to the Bahmani kingdom, Vijayanagara ruler Virupaksha Raya, angered by their actions, ordered his vassal in Honnavar to eliminate them. This led to a massacre in which around 10,000 Moors were killed, while the survivors fled to Goa, an event that had lasting regional consequences.

## Initial Clashes
### Loss of Konkan (1469 A.D)

In 1469, Mahmud Gawan, the prime minister of the Bahmani Sultanate, started a campaign against Konkan. The local ruler, Raja of Vishalgad, had previously obstructed Bahmani interests by interfering with Muslims trade by propping up his fleet. Gawan collected men from various strongholds, like Junnar, Chakan, Dabhole, and moved through the jungle to lay siege to Vishalgad. The fortress resisted for five months, but when the monsoon came, the Bahmani forces had to fall back to Kolhapur. After the weather improved, the siege resumed and Vishalgad eventually fell due to treachery. According to Ferishta’s account, this was the first time the Bahamani gained possession of the fort and its neighbouring districts.

### Loss of Goa (1470 A.D)

Gawan attacked the port and island of Goa with 120 ships for a naval strike and led his army overland. The operation took place swiftly and well so that Virupaksha could not put up an adequate defence. Thus, Goa was successfully acquired by Gawan. When Sultan Muhammad Shah Bahmani learned of seven days of celebration for this victory, the nobut (royal drum) would be beaten during this time. The victory was a major setback to Vijayanagara Empire which lost Goa and the rich ports of Choul and Dabul after holding it for more than 75 years.

### First Loss of Belgaum (1472 A.D)

In 1472, the king of Vijayanagara, Virupaksha, attempted to capture Goa and the Konkan since he understood that the Bahmani Sultanate was busy fighting in Orissa. He directed his vassal Birkana Raya of Belgaum to undertake the task with assistance from the chief of Bankapur. But before anything could be done, the Sultan Muhammad Shah Bahmani made a counteroffensive and laid siege to Belgaum. Though fierce resistance was offered, and the Bahmanis suffered heavily, Birkana Raya ultimately had to surrender. Muhammad Shah was impressed by his spirit, so he took him into his court, while the lands of the fort were given to Mahmud Gawan.

### The Great Durga Devi Famine (1471-73)

A famine called the Durga Devi famine took place in the Deccan region, particularly in parts of the Vijayanagar Empire during this time. Starting in 1468 and continuing through 1475, the famine proved devastating between the years 1471 and 1473. Historian Firishta notes that for two years there was no rain and sowing of crops did not take place. Consequently, people died or deserted the place. Even when the rains came in the third year, very few people were left to work on the land.

### Final Loss of Belagaum (1474 A.D)

After taking Belgaum in 1472 CE, the Bahmani Sultan began to conquer Telangana. In 1474, he captured Wairagarh from Jatak Roy. Around this time, Perkatapha revolted and seized Goa. Mahmud Gawan asked for the Sultan’s permission to put down the revolt and conquer Kanara and Vijayanagar for the Bahmani Sultanate. The result of the expedition was the last loss of Vijayanagar of Belgaum and its district.

## Final Clashes
### Siege of Vijayangara (1474 A.D)

Mahmud Gawan, who captured Belgaum, honored his promise to move against Vijayanagar. A Russian traveler by the name of Athanasius Nikitin was in the Deccan around 1474 CE, reported that the Sultan of Bidar attacked the Hindu prince Kadam and took his capital city, Baichanagar, which was a big city with three forts and a river in it.The Vijayanagar conquest saw the deaths of about 20000 people. But, the further wrecking of the city and its people was avoided because the Bahmani troops diverted their attention to Telangana, which was soon to be invaded by the ruler of Odisha. Even after this, many of the subordinate rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire defied Virupaksha and did not give him their allegiance. Some were openly rebellious, while others decided to become independent.

### Narasimha Raya–Bahmani Clashes

Following Kapilendra Gajapati’s death in 1469, the Bahmani Sultanate expanded into the Circars, facing resistance from local rebels backed by Orissa and Chandragiri. Purushottama Gajapati advanced into Telangana, while Saluva Narasimha captured Kondaveedu and besieged Rajamahendravaram, prompting a Bahmani counteroffensive.
Sultan Muhammad Shah III first subdued the Gajapati forces before turning to Narasimha, who retreated despite his strong defenses. Rajamahendravaram, Kondapalli, and Kondaveedu fell. In 1480, the Sultan launched a southern campaign against Narasimha, seeking to crush resistance and assert Bahmani control.

### Sack of Kanchipuram (1481 A.D)

Even though Saluva Narasimha Raya was not free from Vijayanagara, he was a strong ruler who controlled much of its eastern territories and influenced even Masulipatam. He had a strong army and many fortresses yet did not make any effort for resisting an invasion. According to Firishta, the Sultan reached the fort of Malur, quickly advancing from Kondaveedu. Filled with fear, Narasinga is reported to have surrendered without a fight, paying tribute.Hearing of the wealth of Kanchipuram, the Sultan led a elite force, besieged the city on March 12, 1481, and looted it. He went back home and ordered a poetic account of his victory to be distributed in his country.

### Attempt to recover Goa (1481 A.D)

In the year 1481 A.D, the Bahmani Sultanate underwent a severe internal turmoil after a period of success. After return from Kanchi, Sultan Muhammad Shah III ordered the execution of his faithful wazir, Mahmud Gawan, who had been falsely charged by envious courtiers. Upon the death of Gawan, the nobles became highly agitated. One of the first rebels was the Bahmani governor of Goa’s son Bahadur Mulk Gilani. In the midst of this political confusion, the Vijayanagara Empire launched a military expedition to retake Goa, which was initially successful. In response, the Bahmani Sultan send Yusuf Adil Khan leading the Bijapur division to repel the invasion. Although the precise results of the war are unclear but it is known from history that Vijayanagara lost Goa eventually that is reportedly due to treachery of local Hindu chieftains.

## Aftermath
### Murder of Virupaksha (1486 A.D)

As time went on and troubles mounted, Virupaksha`s rule got worse. Due to the execution of several captains on trivial grounds many of his subjects and a large number of his followers revolted against him. In the end, his own eldest son killed him, unable to bear any further tyranny. But the son refused the throne, saying he had done an unhuman act of killing his father and was hence unfit to rule. As a result, his younger brother was crowned king, as per his wishes. He was referred to as Pedea Rao by the chronicler Nuniz.