Bukka

Bukka (also known as Bukka Raya) was an emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire from the Sangama Dynasty.

Early life

The early life of Bukka as well as his brother Hakka (also known as Harihara Raya) are relatively unknown and most accounts of their early life are based on theories (see the Vijayanagara Empire article to get a more extended description of these theories). One such theory states that Bukka and Hakka were born from the Kuruba clan as well as commanders of the King of Warangal's army. After the King of Warangal was defeated by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, he would capture both Bukka and his brother as prisoners and send them to Delhi. Both were forced to follow Islam. Even so, Bukka and his brother eventually escaped and retained their Hindu traditions and founded the Vijayanagara Empire under the influence of the Brahmin sage Vidyaranya. Another account says that the brothers were instead in connection with the Hoysalas and were born from Karnataka near the Hampi territory, and that they were the successors to the Hoysala sovereignty by natural process. Though the exactness of both theories are still debated upon, either way Bukka and his brother were praised for their success in battle as well as the first rulers of the Empire.

Life in the Empire

Bukka , one of the most well-known of the Panchasangamas) as well as his brother Hakka founded the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire which reigned from the year 1336 and onwards. Under Bukka Raya's thirty seven year reign (according to Nuniz) the kingdom prospered and continued to expand as Bukka Raya conquered most of the kingdoms of southern India, continually expanding the territory of the empire. In the beginning of Bukka Raya's reign, Bukka desperately tried to destroy all hostile kingdoms so that he could strengthen the new empire, though initially he could not do anything as most of his forces were concentrated on fighting the Bahmanis. Later on, Bukka conquered Madurai and extended his territory into the south all the way to Rameswaram. He would also defeat the Shambuvaraya Kingdom of Arcot and the Reddis of Kondavidu. In 1371, his son, Kumara Kamapna defeated the Sultanate of Madhura and conquered the territory in the penninusla south of Tungabhadra. Goa and the kingdom of Orissa (Orya) were also captured and Bukka forced the Jaffna kingdom of Ceylon and Malabar to have to pay tributes to him. During his reign Bukka would also have clashes with the Bahmani Sultans. The first was during the time of Muhammad I and the other during the time of Mujahid. It is said that Bukka also sent a mission to China as well during his reign. Bukka however would later on die in about 1380 AD and was succeeded by Harihara II. It is also notable that under Bukka Raya's reign the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire established itself at Vijayanagara, on the south side of the river, which was more secure and defensive than their previous capitol at Anegondi. Even with the wars and internal conflicts, Bukka still managed to help support internal improvements for the city.

See also

*Vijayanagara Empire
*India
*Harihara I

External links

*AP Online: Medieval history