The last chapter traced the rise of Vijayanagar before 1346, mentioning the joint activities of the five sons of Sangama-Harihara, Bukka, and their brothers.

It also covered the earliest conflicts between the Bahmani and Vijayanagar kingdoms, starting with the founders of the two states.

This chapter follows the subsequent history of Vijayanagar, which championed Hindu civilization and culture for almost three centuries, preserving India’s tradition in polity, learning, and arts.

Vijayanagar’s history is considered the last glorious chapter in the history of independent Hindu South India.

Harihara I, the founder, shaped the empire’s administrative system, organizing the country into sthalat and nader following the Kākatiya model.

He employed Brahmins as karnamu in place of goldsmiths and velamas, and reclaimed large areas of land in the Ceded Districts.

Harihara I’s reign ended around 1357, based on the last inscriptions of his reign, and he nominated his brother Bukka to succeed him.

Bukka I ruled as sole sovereign for twenty years (1377-1377), with his notable act being an embassy sent to China in 1374, recorded in the Ming dynasty annals.

His reign faced continuous wars against the Bahmani sultans, including Muhammad I and Mujahid, but the accession of Muhammad II in 1378 brought a temporary peace.

The most important event during Bukka I’s reign was the overthrow of the Madura sultanate by his son, Kumāra Kampana, who ruled the southern part of the empire as viceroy.

Kampana was assisted by generals like Gopana and Saluva Mangu and began by subduing the Sāmbuvarayas of North and South Arcot.

Kampana’s campaign against the Muslims of Madura (1365-1370) was epic and justified by the Pandya’s failure to recover Madura, as detailed in the Sanskrit poem Madhura Vijayam by Kampana’s wife, Ganga Devi.