Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1443)
The Bahmani–Vijayanagar War of 1443 marked as the last war between the Bahmani Sultanate of Deccan India and the Vijayanagara empire of South India. It commenced between the Bahmanis under Alauddin Ahmad Shah and the Vijayanagar under Deva Raya II, taking place in present-day Mudgal, Karnataka. During the course of two months, three battles unfolded, with the Vijayanagara forces initially securing victory, followed by two subsequent wins by the Bahmanis. These defeats compelled the Vijayanagara ruler to seek peace, agreeing to pay tribute to the Bahmanis.
| Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1443) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Bahmani–Vijayanagar Wars | |||||||||
Mudgal fort, where Deva Raya II was besieged | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Bahmani Sultanate | Vijayanagara Empire | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Alau'd-din Ahmad Shah Malik Tujjar |
Deva Raya II Son of Deva Raya II † | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
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60,000 infantry 50,000 cavalry |
10,000 mounted archers 60,000 horsemen 300,000 infantry | ||||||||
Location within Karnataka Bahmani–Vijayanagar War (1443) (India) | |||||||||
Following the Siege of Vijayanagara by Bahmani ruler Ahmad Shah I Wali in 1423, there were no military conflicts between the Bahmanis and the Vijayanagara empire until the ascension of his son, Alauddin Ahmad Shah. Upon assuming power, Alauddin dispatched his brother, Muhammad Khan, to demand tribute from the Vijayanagara ruler, Deva Raya II, which had been withheld. Muhammad Khan successfully defeated the Vijayanagara forces, compelling Deva Raya to pay tribute. This event prompted Deva Raya to incorporate Muslim forces into his army to enhance its training. Returning from the campaign, Muhammad Khan received counsel from certain officers suggesting that he possessed equal rights to the Bahmani Sultanate as his brother Alauddin, as promised by their father, Ahmad Shah. Seeking support from various chiefs, including the Vijayanagara emperor, Muhammad Khan captured several locations, prompting Alauddin to mobilize against him. Despite his defeat, Muhammad Khan was pardoned by Alauddin and granted the jagir of Rajachal.
After surviving an assassination attempt orchestrated by his brother in Vijayanagara, Deva Raya II retaliated by executing all his opponents. Seizing this moment of vulnerability, Bahmani Sultan Alauddin saw an opportunity to invade Vijayanagara and exact tribute, which Deva Raya II had promised but failed to pay. In response, Vijayanagara troops launched attacks on Bahmani territories, plundering their positions. Alauddin mobilized his forces against Deva Raya, deploying his general Malik Tujjar against Deva Raya's sons. The Bahmanis successfully recaptured territories, compelling Vijayanagara troops to retreat from the occupied regions. The decisive battles took place at Mudgal, where Bahmani forces initially faced setbacks but ultimately emerged victorious. Deva Raya agreed to pay tribute under the condition that Alauddin would not cross the Tungabhadra River again. This conflict marked the final war between the Bahmanis and Vijayanagara.