The Bahmani–Vijayanagar War began with the Siege of Pangal, where Sultan Firuz Shah of the

Bahmani Sultanate The Bahmani Kingdom or the Bahmani Sultanate was a late medieval Persianate kingdom that ruled the Deccan plateau in India. The first independent Muslim sultanate of the Deccan, the Bahmani Kingdom came to power in 1347 during the rebellio ...

attempted to capture the fort. They faced setbacks, including a disease outbreak among their ranks, leading to the failure of the siege. In response,

Deva Raya I Deva Raya I (reigned 5 November 1406 – 25 February 1423) was an Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire (of the Sangama Dynasty). After Harihara II died, there was a dispute among his sons over succession, in which Deva Raya I eventually emerged ...

of the Vijayanagara Empire launched a successful counteroffensive, defeating Sultan Firuz Shah in a decisive battle. This victory dealt a significant blow to the Bahmani Sultanate, ultimately leading to Firuz Shah's demise and further weakening of his empire. Following the victory, Deva Raya I expanded his territorial control, extending Vijayanagara's domain up to the

Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...

Tungabhadra The Tungabhadra River () starts and flows through the state of Karnataka, India, for most of its course, then through Andhra Pradesh where it ultimately joins the Krishna River near Murvakonda. The Tungabhadra derives its name from two strea ...

river doab region. This expansion included the capture of

Pangal The Meitei Pangals, also known as Meitei Muslims or the Manipuri Muslims, are a group of Meitei Muslims. They live mainly in Manipur. The word Pangal simply means ''Muslim'' in the Meitei language. Various historical sources have differe ...

, which had been a focal point of the conflict. The successful outcome of the war significantly bolstered the power and influence of the Vijayanagara Empire in the region. In the aftermath, Muslim soldiers' severed heads were put on display at the battlefield as a reminder of Vijayanagara's triumph.

Background

Siege of Pangal

Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah Taj ud-Din Firoz Shah (died 1 October 1422), also known as Firoz Shah Bahmani, was the ruler of the Bahmani Sultanate in the Deccan plateau of India from 16 November 1397 to 22 September 1422. Firuz Shah is considered an important ruler of the ...

initiated a siege on the fort of

, which was under the control of the

Recherla Nayakas Recherla Nayakas were an Andhra dynasty that wrested power from the Musunuri Nayakas and became the dominant power in the Telangana region during the late 14th century and early 15th century (r. 1375–1435). They were based at Rachakonda, sout ...

. It lasted two years, while a disease outbreak within the

camp weakened his forces, leading to his failure to capture the fort and subsequent heavy losses. Taking advantage of this vulnerable situation, the king of

Vijayanagar The Vijayanagara Empire, also known as the Karnata Kingdom, was a late medieval Hindu empire that ruled much of southern India. It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, belonging to the ...

sought revenge for previous humiliations suffered during the previous war, pursuing and defeating Sultan Feroz. Reports suggest that treachery within the

Bahamani The Bahmani Kingdom or the Bahmani Sultanate was a late medieval Persianate kingdom that ruled the Deccan plateau in India. The first independent Muslim sultanate of the Deccan, the Bahmani Kingdom came to power in 1347 during the rebellion o ...

camp contributed significantly to this defeat.

War

The two-year siege was impregnable, causing great distress to the besiegers due to famine and disease.

Devaraya Deva Raya I (reigned 5 November 1406 – 25 February 1423) was an Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire (of the Sangama Dynasty). After Harihara II died, there was a dispute among his sons over succession, in which Deva Raya I eventually emerged ...

, bolstered by fresh forces and Hindu chiefs like the Velamas, encircled the besieging army. As the Muslim army weakened and

Vijayanagara Vijayanagara () is a city located in Vijayanagara district of Karnataka state in India.Vijayanagara

reinforcements arrived, the garrison sallied from the fort, attacking the enemy camp. Caught between two Hindu forces, the Bahmani army was routed, and the
Sultan Sultan (; ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be use ...
fled. Devaraya I exploited this victory to regain control over the
Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...
-
Tungabhadra The Tungabhadra River () starts and flows through the state of Karnataka, India, for most of its course, then through Andhra Pradesh where it ultimately joins the Krishna River near Murvakonda. The Tungabhadra derives its name from two strea ...
region. The result of Sultan Feroz's defeat was dire, as
Deva Raya Deva Raya I (reigned 5 November 1406 – 25 February 1423) was an Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire (of the Sangama Dynasty). After Harihara II died, there was a dispute among his sons over succession, in which Deva Raya I eventually emerged ...
, the king of
Vijayanagar The Vijayanagara Empire, also known as the Karnata Kingdom, was a late medieval Hindu empire that ruled much of southern India. It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, belonging to the ...
, retaliated by orchestrating a general massacre of Muslims, using their heads to create a gruesome platform on the battlefield. His forces pursued the Sultan's retreating army into their own territory, inflicting further devastation by razing mosques, holy sites, and mercilessly slaughtering civilians. Even regions as far as
Konkan The Konkan is a stretch of land by the western coast of India, bound by the river Daman Ganga at Damaon in the north, to Anjediva Island next to Karwar town in the south; with the Arabian Sea to the west and the Deccan plateau to the eas ...
, including Chowl and
Dabhol Dabhol (Marathi pronunciation: Help:IPA/Marathi, ̪aːbʱoɭ, also known as Dabul, is a small seaport town in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra in India. It is located on the northern and southern sides of the Vashishti River, Vashishth ...
, fell victim to the Hindu army's aggression. In a state of desperation, Sultan Feroz sought assistance from the
Sultan of Gujarat The Gujarat Sultanate or Sultanate of Gujarat was a late medieval Islamic Indian kingdom in Western India, primarily in the present-day state of Gujarat. The kingdom was established in 1394 when Muzaffar Shah I, the Governor of Gujarat, declar ...
, only to find the newly ascended monarch unable to provide aid.

Aftermath
The series of reverses suffered by
Firuz Shah Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1309 – 20 September 1388), also known as Firuz III, was Sultan of Delhi from 1351 until his death in 1388. He succeeded his cousin Muhammad bin Tughlaq following the latter's death at Thatta, Sindh. His father was Sipa ...
ultimately led to his demise. Mirat-i-Sikandari records that Sultan Feroz had led an army against
Vijayanagar The Vijayanagara Empire, also known as the Karnata Kingdom, was a late medieval Hindu empire that ruled much of southern India. It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, belonging to the ...
and was defeated in battle. Fortunately for him, Sultan Ahmad of Gujarat, bound by a friendly alliance, dispatched a substantial army to his aid. By the time that army reached the fort of Thallir, Sultan Feroz had already passed away, and his brother, Sultan Ahmad Shah Bahamani, had ascended to power. In acknowledgment of the support received, Sultan Ahmad Shah Wali sent valuable gifts to Sultan Ahmad of Gujarat and sent his army back.
Deva Raya I Deva Raya I (reigned 5 November 1406 – 25 February 1423) was an Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire (of the Sangama Dynasty). After Harihara II died, there was a dispute among his sons over succession, in which Deva Raya I eventually emerged ...
came to control territory up to the
Krishna River The Krishna River in the Deccan Plateau, Deccan plateau is the third-longest in India, after the Ganga, Ganga and Godavari. It is also the fourth-largest in terms of water inflows and river basin area in India, after the Ganga, Indus and Godav ...
-
Tungabhadra River The Tungabhadra River () starts and flows through the state of Karnataka, India, for most of its course, then through Andhra Pradesh where it ultimately joins the Krishna River near Murvakonda. The Tungabhadra derives its name from two strea ...
doab including Pangal. However, all the territory captured by Deva Raya was lost by his son Vira Vijaya to Ahmad Shah during the
Siege of Vijayanagar The siege of Vijayanagar or Bahmani–Vijayanagar war of 1423 was a military campaign by the Bahmani Sultanate in the Deccan plateau, led by Ahmad Shah I Wali, against the Vijayanagar empire, ruled by Vira Vijaya Bukka Raya III, beginning in 1 ...
in 1423.

References
{{reflist Battles involving the Vijayanagara Empire Wars involving the Bahmani Sultanate