Maharaja Krishnadevaraya

Sri Krishnadevaraya : Andhra Bhoja, Mooru Rayara Ganda and Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana

Ever Wondered why Sri Krishnadevaraya was titled and honored by every Indian? Not just because of he was a King or ruler of Vijayanagar but he worked for the wellness of people and not only work for people he work for everyone’s prosperity and wellness. He know the importance of Science, Architect, Temple, Medicine and Art. He provides many facilities to the people of Vijayanagar and established a well developed system which is followed later by British government.

“Rayarekha” A system for Farmer’s Prosperity by Sri Krishnadevaraya

Sri Krishnadevaraya gave much importance to Agriculture. In Amuktamalyada Sri Krishnadevaraya writes “Agriculture should be the main concern to the king. He provided many facilities to farmers.

1. Giving advances to purchase oxen.
2. To dig wells to cultivate additional lands.
3. Amount of tax levied depending on the agricultural income of the farmer.

This method of taxation did not hinder the development and prosperity of farmer. This system was called as Rayarekha”. This system was also followed later by Bijapur, Maratha and British governments.

Paes, commenting on the irrigation system, “ The land has plenty of rice and Indian – Corn, grains, beans and other kinds of crops which are not sown in our parts, also an infinity of cotton. This country wants water because it is very great and has few streams; they make lakes in which water collect when it rains and thereby they maintain themselves. Kautilya in his Arthasastra says that “The king should construct reservoirs (setu) filled with water either perennial (or) drawn from other sources.

This policy laid down by Kautilya in the 3 rd century B.C. could be found put into practice the Middle Ages especially in Vijayanagara kingdom. Sri Krishnadevaraya emphasizes the importance of excavation of tanks when he declares that the extent of a state is the root cause of its prosperity. Vijayanagara kings bestowed great attention on excavation and renovation of tanks. The need of excavating tanks and irrigation canals as evidenced by the unique telugu work Amuktamalyada.

In the porumamilla inscription dated saka 1291 (1369 A.D) the construction of a good tank was mentioned.

1. The land where the tank is going to be constructed should be adorned with hard clay and there should be within a distance of three yojanas to the tank.
2. There should be a hill, part of which is in contact with the tank and the tank should have a strong dam.
3. The tank bed should be deep and extensive.
4. The principle of Jalasastra (Hydraulics) was strictly followed in constructing a tank.
5. The surrounding area of the tank is highly fertile.

Sri Krishnadevaraya : The King who work for Farmer’s prosperity 

Sri Krishnadevaraya built a dam across the river Tungabhadra near Hampi. The water from this dam was supplied to the capital city Vijayanagara and also to irrigate rice fields. The Basavanna kaluva (Basava canal) and earlier canals built by the other kings of Vijayanagara are functioning even today. A huge water tank was built south of Tirupati, named as Rayalacheruvu, in the same way a huge tank was constructed at Masur (Dharwad district) during his reign.

Sir Thomas Munro a British collector of 19th century said that there is no possibility for construction of new tanks as the Vijayanagara kings have built tanks in all the places where tanks can be built. Sri Krishnadevaraya created an artificial lake to store water for the needs of the new town of Nagulapur. For this a huge embankment at the north – western end of the two ranges of hills, which enclose the valley of sandur, had to be erected. While both Nuniz and Paes wrote about this vast tank in their chronicles, the latter actually witnessed the work in progress. He comments that he saw 15,000 to 20,000 men work at the site looking like ants.

TFIStore from the house of The Frustrated Indian is trying to make Indian Culture cool with its unique historical Heroes and Sanskrit apparel collection. Check out Raja Krishnadevaraya Collection.

NAMASKAR

TFIStore from the house of The Frustrated Indian is trying to make Indian Culture cool with its unique historical Heroes and Sanskrit apparel collection.

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