Krishna Deva Raya

by Abhijeeth Hiliyana

Genres: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

A new emperor, old enemies, a fight for an enduring empire...

The newly coronated Emperor Krishna Deva Raya leads his steadfast armies on a mission to capture impregnable fortresses and avenge his father's gruesome death. As the flags of Vijayanagara soar high under its glorious ruler, the fortuitous news of the birth of an heir to the throne bathes the city in joy and prosperity like never before.

The people of the Samrajya worship Krishna Deva Raya like a god, and with the kingdom finally at peace, Krishna turns his focus inward. But deep in the underbelly of the palace, a seditious undertaking is afoot, while at the city's borders disbanded enemy kingdoms are uniting under a vengeful Shahi sultan determined to usurp Krishna's throne.

Will Krishna, the statesman, prove to be as proficient as Krishna, the soldier? As his inner coterie of advisers stands divided at every turn, will Krishna be able to secure the future of his empire?

The second novel in the series, Krishna Deva Raya: The Crown of Vijayanagara is a riveting exposition of war strategy, games of power and the politics of the royal court - a chronicle of one man's transformation into a god-king.

Release date: July 22, 2022

Publisher: Hachette India

Print pages: 344

Sample

Prologue



1509

ONCE AGAIN THE SOUTHERN BANK OF THE RIVER KRISHNA WAS COVERED in a sea of green and gold, a sea that appeared to be growing with every passing hour. For the moment, it was contained in a small strip of land close to the river. But it was only a matter of time before the artificial dam holding it back would break and send it surging southwards. Wherever the sea of green and gold would flow, it would leave red and blackened land in its wake.

‘What should we do?’ said an anxious voice on Ramaraya’s right. Ramaraya gave his younger brother what he hoped was an encouraging smile. Aravidu Tirumala returned it with a weak smile of his own. Ramaraya understood his brother’s concern. The army that was assembling before their eyes was the largest Shahi force assembled yet for their annual raid on the Samrajya territory.

‘Looks like all of the sultans are present,’ observed Aravidu Tirumala.

Ramaraya glanced at his chief of guards, Dharmalingaiah, as if expecting his opinion.

‘No, Kumara, our spies have reported that the army consists of sultan Yusuf Adil Shah, sultan Amir Barid Shah and sultan Quli Qutb Shah. The nominal leader of the expedition is the Bahmani sultan Muhammad Shah Lashkari.’

‘So, three of the five erstwhile governors along with their titular overlord,’ said Ramaraya. ‘And their numbers?’

‘We cannot be certain, but we think all of them combined are at least ten thousand cavalry and some twenty thousand infantrymen,’ Dhamalingaiah replied.

‘And elephants?’

‘A few hundred at the minimum.’

‘A formidable force, Anna. What should we do? I think, we must return to Adoni and tell Pedanaanna what we know,’ Tirumala said, casting a concerned look at the enemy camp.

Ramaraya had to admit it was the prudent course of action but for him prudence was no longer a virtue. Not after his mistake. He often wondered why he had done it, taking up service under Quli Qutb Shah. The answer came to him quickly. He was bored. As the scion of the Aravidu dynasty, one of the most powerful military governor, or Nayaka, families, whose territories spread over much of the Andhra coast, it was Ramaraya’s destiny to rise to the heights of power in Samrajya. Unfortunately, Ramaraya’s family was only one among the vastly extended Aravidu clan and as such it was expected that he would start out as a senior officer in the Aravidu armies. He suspected it would take him more than a decade to move up the hierarchy, which was, he felt, too long for him to obtain what was rightfully his. So, when Quli Qutb Shah was looking for a Hindu commander for his newly conquered territories captured from the Samrajya, Ramaraya had promptly volunteered. His decision had not been appreciated by his extended family but Ramaraya was not concerned. He knew that sooner or later the Samrajya would take back its territories from Quli Qutb Shah’s weak rule and Ramaraya would be able to return to the empire’s fold, this time as a senior Amaranayaka, ruling over a large territory of his own.

The great enemy of the Samrajya in the north, the Bahmani sultanate had steadily deteriorated after the deaths of sultan Muhammed Shah Lashkari and his vizier, Mahmud Gawan. A series of weak rulers had allowed many governors to rule their lands with virtual independence. Among them Quli Qutb Shah and Yusuf Adil Shah were two of the main beneficiaries, the latter founding his semi-independent state centred around Golconda. These self-styled sultans soon started to engage in short-lived alliances and rivalries in an effort to expand their dominions. As such, while Ramaraya’s plan had looked good on the surface, he had failed to anticipate the fickleness of the Shahi kingdoms. Yusuf Adil Shah had suddenly decided to expand his own kingdom at the expense of his erstwhile ally Quli Qutb Shah. He targeted Ramaraya’s territories, which were left poorly defended by Quli Qutb Shah.

Golconda was a two-days ride away and at the end of it Ramaraya, tired and dishevelled, found himself standing outside the palace gates waiting for an audience with the sultan, a wait that extended to another two days. Ramaraya was led into the royal hammam where the sultan was swimming in the pool. He watched the sultan with barely concealed irritation but Quli Qutb Shah’s vizier had been clear that he should not speak unless spoken to. The sultan slowly emerged out of the water, his hands raised high as the servants rubbed his body dry and covered him with an embroidered silk cloak.

‘Why are you here?’ Quli Qutb Shah demanded.

‘Yusuf Adil Shah has launched an unexpected attack. We tried to resist but their numbers were too great.’

‘Why are you here?’ Quli Qutb Shah asked again, ignoring Ramaraya’s answer.

‘I don’t understand, sultan,’ Ramaraya said.

‘I left you in charge of one-fourth of my territory. I left you an army to defend it. Yet here you are, without the territory or the army. Why are you here?’

‘Yusuf...’

‘You fled,’ Quli Qutb Shah snarled. ‘Like a coward.’

Ramaraya felt anger rise up his throat.

‘We fought, sultan. I had a force of two thousand cavalry, he had twelve thousand, but still I fought,’ Ramaraya said, bringing his hand up to his chest and in a swift motion tearing open his kabayi. ‘I carry the badges of my battle,’ he declared, revealing a sword injury on his chest.

‘And that is supposed to mean something?’ Quli Qutb Shah asked contemptuously. ‘You fled; it does not matter what the reasons were. When you did that, you betrayed your oath and my trust in you.’

‘You wish that I had died on the battlefield?’ Ramaraya demanded.

‘It would certainly have been better. I would then be raising a monument to you.’

‘If so, why did you flee against my grandfather, Aravidu Bukka, a few years ago?’ Ramaraya wanted to ask but the sultan’s eyes narrowed as if expecting Ramaraya to say something and doom himself. Instead, he replied, ‘Give me ten thousand cavalry and I will recapture it in a week.’

‘I could do it myself with such a force. Why would I need you?’ Quli Qutb Shah laughed. ‘No, the only thing you will get from me is your life. Go, Ramaraya, take your worthless life and slink back to your family and stay cowering behind them.’

‘Anna, are you well?’ Tirumala’s voice brought Ramaraya back to the present. He could feel the heat in his ears and his breath heighten as the memories caused fresh anger to swell up inside him. Even two years later, the insult was fresh in Ramaraya’s mind and the thought that Quli Qutb Shah had repaid his loyalty with scorn and that he, Ramaraya, had still not avenged himself made him feel ashamed.

‘Prabhu, we must leave now before we are sighted,’ said Dharmalingaiah. The old man had a familiar expression of contempt on his face. Like many older retainers of the family, Dharmalingaiah doubted Ramaraya’s decision-making ability after his disastrous encounter with Quli Qutb Shah. Ramaraya was not oblivious to the man’s derision towards him.

One mistake and everyone thinks they can question my judgement, Ramaraya thought angrily. But he knew it was only a matter of time before he regained his rightful status. He had spent the last few years enduring constant humiliation, waiting for an opportunity to finally silence all his critics. Now, watching the enemy army gather, Ramaraya knew that the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived and he was not going to let anyone stop him.

‘No, we are going to close in on them. I think Senapathi Yeratimma Raya would appreciate a concrete estimate of our enemy’s numbers.’

Dharmalingaiah was shocked. ‘We will surely die…’ he stammered.

‘We must be willing to make any sacrifice for the sake of the Samrajya,’ Ramaraya said calmly. Dharmalingaiah’s gaze wavered slightly as if the old man understood what Ramaraya’s command truly meant. The remaining soldiers in his troop wearily nodded their assent.

‘Tirumala, you will stay here with two men. If we fail, you will take the report back to Pedanaanna,’ he commanded. His brother’s face fell. ‘But Anna…’

Ramaraya shook his head. ‘You have a duty and so do I. Let’s go, Dharmalingaiah,’ he ordered, turning his horse towards the enemy camp.



The enemy army was like an enormous slumbering beast and it would take more than Ramaraya and his small band of riders to wake it up, or so he hoped, as he led his men in a fast trot towards them. The outer ring of the enemy camp was protected by a hastily dug ditch, behind which lay watchtowers at equal distances. The enemy sentries watched them intently, perhaps wondering if Ramaraya and his men were seeking some kind of honourable death. Meanwhile, once Ramaraya had judged that they were sufficiently close, he signalled his men to ride parallel to the camp. An officer atop one of the watchtowers suddenly waved his hand in alarm and a loud horn resounded. The enemy had taken notice of their actions.

‘How many Tarafdar flags can you count?’ Ramaraya asked as the camp filled with clarion calls. The enemy had begun to mobilize.

‘Twelve, no, fourteen,’ Dharmalingaiah said, casting a nervous glance.

Ramaraya had counted the same number. Each flag denoted a regiment commanded by a senior military commander. Their strength usually varied since the Bahmani sultanate, like the Samrajya, struggled to find enough recruits and horses to bring their forces to full strength. On paper, however, each regiment was supposed to contain a thousand cavalrymen and though Ramaraya could only make an estimate, he felt sure the enemy forces were much larger than their initial consideration.

A rumbling sound came from inside the enemy camp, getting increasingly louder.

‘It’s almost time to go,’ Ramaraya said under his breath as the first set of enemy riders came to the fore.

‘Prabhu, we must leave now,’ cried Dharmalingaiah, echoing Ramaraya’s murmur.

Ramaraya continued to scan the far side of the camp where he spied more war elephants and field artillery hidden behind the enemy camp.

They have come here to capture Adoni, he thought grimly, their siege equipment confirming his doubts that they were not here on a simple raid.

‘Prabhu!’ Dharmalingaiah shouted out. The horsemen were nearly upon them, a few even loosening their bows and aiming for a lucky shot.

Ramaraya nodded, turning his horse around and riding in his brother’s direction. Behind him sounded the roars and challenges from the Shahi horsemen, but he ignored them. They raced across the plains, the Samrajya soldiers just metres ahead of their pursuers. Ramaraya felt an arrow whistle past his ears, leaving his right ear stinging with pain. He did not stop. Another arrow missed his body, but nearby he heard a scream. One of his men had fallen to the enemy’s arrows. He realized there was only one alternative. He and his men would not succeed in escaping – it was only a matter of time before the enemy archers brought each one of them down.

‘Dharmalingaiah, we cannot all outrun them,’ he called out. Glancing to his left, Dharmalingaiah gave a curt nod, his response that of a man who understood what was being asked of him.

‘We will cover the Prabhu’s retreat,’ Dharmalingaiah roared. The men dutifully turned around to give Ramaraya more time to outrun them. As he rode on, Ramaraya heard the sound of war cries as Dharmalingaiah and his men charged into the enemy riders. The sound of horses’ hooves mixed with that of the clash of swords and cries of pain. Ramaraya rode fervently towards his brother Tirumala, not pausing even once.

‘Go, go,’ he roared at the top of his voice. Dharmalingaiah’s sacrifice had bought them time and Ramaraya and his brother rode at breakneck speed towards Adoni.



Ramaraya’s news was received with a great deal of apprehension in Adoni. His uncle, Yeratimma Raya understood that Adoni had been left extremely vulnerable and if it fell, the entire northern province of the empire would fall to the enemy.

‘We cannot hold the area, not without reinforcements from the capital,’ Yeratimma said.

‘We can send out a rider,’ Tirumala suggested.

‘A messenger will not be able to convey the seriousness of the situation, Kumara. We need someone who can convince the emperor and the ministers that without sufficient aid Adoni will fall.’

‘I will go, Pedanaanna,’ Ramaraya offered.

His uncle considered it.

‘I risked my life to save your fortress, I deserve to,’ Ramaraya wanted to scream but he kept his silence, watching his uncle consider the political implications of letting him be the messenger. Yeratimma had been the only man in the Aravidu family who was willing to offer Ramaraya a second chance.

‘Very well, Rama, go. But hurry. We don’t have much chance of surviving a full-fledged attack.’

‘I will return soon, Pedanaanna,’ Ramaraya said as he hurried towards the stables. Finally, here was the opportunity he was waiting for. Ramaraya was determined to be the saviour of Adoni and regain his position in the Samrajya.

1



‘MAHAPRABHU, THE MAHAMANTRI WISHES TO SPEAK WITH YOU,’ Kamparaju said through the doorway. Krishna looked up from the large map he was studying, a preoccupied look clouding his eyes.

‘Is he alone?’

‘No, Mahaprabhu. Senapathi Aravidu Bukka, Senapathi Nagama Nayaka and Senapathi Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu are with him.’

‘Send them in,’ Krishna said, turning his attention back to the map.

‘Mahaprabhu.’ The three men bowed respectfully as they entered. Nagama Nayaka gave Krishna a nervous smile while Aravidu Bukka looked anxious, as if he wanted to share something with Krishna and could not wait to do it. Ramalinga Nayudu maintained his subdued expression.

‘What is it?’ he asked, looking at Appaji.

‘The armies of the sultanate are greater than we expected.’

‘How large?’ Krishna asked. ‘As if we did not have enough troubles already.’

‘At least fifteen to twenty thousand cavalry and thirty thousand infantry.’

Krishna was surprised. ‘That is a very large force. Are we sure the numbers are accurate?’

‘My grandson Ramaraya verified it himself, Mahaprabhu,’ Aravidu Bukka responded quickly. ‘He came directly from Adoni requesting aid,’ he continued.

‘Your younger son is the governor of Adoni, correct?’ Krishna asked.

‘Yes, Mahaprabhu, he has sent a message that he will hold Adoni till his last breath,’ Aravidu Bukka said.

‘It will not come to that, Senapathi,’ Krishna replied hoping to put Bukka’s mind at ease. ‘Your grandson must be commended for his bravery.’ Bukka gave a pleased smiled.

‘Mahaprabhu, I think we must send aid to Adoni. We cannot let the enemy capture it.’ Appaji advised.

‘What about the armies of Gajapati Prataparudra? Is he mobilizing to take advantage of the Bahmani invasion?’

‘We have heard nothing from our spies,’ Appaji assured him.

‘And Gangaraja?’

‘He has attacked and captured Srirangapatna,’ Nagama Nayaka replied.

‘My father-in-law?’ Krishna asked wringing his hands.

‘Veerappa Odeya and his family escaped before the attack and have joined with our forces that we despatched to defeat Gangaraja.’

Tirumala Devi will be relieved, Krishna thought.

He looked down at the map, which now appeared outdated. He motioned to a servant who brought forth a plate of wooden chips. Krishna carefully placed the chips around the map to indicate the enemy positions he had just learned of. The situation looked dire with the Samrajya now being assailed both internally and externally. By capturing Srirangapatna, Gangaraja had effectively split the Samrajya into two factions along the Cauvery delta. As such, Gangaraja’s actions were only marginally less threatening as compared to the invasion of the Shahi sultanate.

‘Mahaprabhu, we must act swiftly and crush Gangaraja before he becomes a bigger threat,’ Nagama Nayaka said.

‘And the sultanate armies?’ Ramalinga asked. He had remained silent until now.

‘We must send a force to aid Adoni, enough for Kondaraja to hold down the fort. The enemy will not remain for long. Once they see that Adoni is too fortified to fall, they will return to their lands after raiding surrounding villages. It will not be much different from their previous invasions,’ Nagama Nayaka said.

‘I agree, Mahaprabhu. Most of the villages surrounding Adoni have already been evacuated. The enemy will find that the pickings are rather slim this year,’ Aravidu Bukka said.

It was always thus, when faced with an internal enemy and an external one, the generals of the Samrajya preferred to fight the internal opponent first. Aravidu Bukka’s assessment of the course of the impending Bahmani invasion was correct. Though the enemy’s primary aim of the invasion was plunder, by raiding the same area every year, the Shahis had caused the villagers in those regions to undertake an annual migration to the nearby fortresses. The previous year, the enemy had returned to their territories within a fortnight after finding nearly nothing in the border areas.

‘How long will we let them run rampant in our lands?’ Ramalinga demanded, taking a step in Nagama Nayaka’s direction. Krishna cast him a warning look and Ramalinga’s voice subsided but he did not take a step back. Ramalinga’s family had lands close to the border, directly in the path of the Bahmani invasion, unlike Nagama Nayaka’s lands, which were in the south near the Tamil region that was now threatened by Gangaraja. Nagama Nayaka thus wished to crush Gangaraja first, which conflicted with Ramalinga’s desire to drive out the Shahi invasion.

‘We will let them run wild till we get our own house in order,’ Nagama Nayaka said, looking at Ramalinga who loomed over him. Despite being several inches shorter than Ramalinga and twice his age, there was something fierce about Nagama Nayaka as he glared at the younger man without flinching.

‘Nagama Nayaka,’ Krishna said firmly.

‘That might take us many years.’ Ramalinga’s pleading gaze shifting towards Krishna.

‘Nagama Nayaka, I appoint you as the head of our southern expedition. Your job is to make sure Gangaraja remains in his fortress.’

‘It will be my honour, Mahaprabhu,’ Nagama Nayaka said, surprised at the sudden elevation in his ranks.

‘With your permission, I will lead reinforcements to my brother,’ Aravidu Bukka said.

‘No, I want you to lead your army to the borders we share with the Gajapatis. Your presence will ensure they won’t try to take advantage of our troubles.’

Aravidu Bukka’s shoulders sagged at Krishna’s refusal. ‘Adoni is one of our most formidable forts. We only need to send Kondaraja a few thousand reinforcements to hold it. Your personal presence is not required,’ Appaji said.

‘I can lead them, Mahaprabhu,’ Ramalinga said, with undisguised relish. He wanted a chance to measure his strength against the sultanate armies.

‘No,’ Krishna said calmly. ‘I have another task in mind for you.’

‘Perhaps Aravidu Bukka’s grandson, Ramaraya, could lead the relief forces,’ Appaji suggested.

‘He would be honoured, Mahaprabhu,’ Aravidu Bukka said eagerly.

‘No,’ Krishna shook his head. His words were met with a mixture of shock and surprise.

‘Then who will lead the relief, Mahaprabhu?’ Ramalinga asked.

Krishna exchanged a look with Appaji, who narrowed his eyes as if he had read Krishna’s intentions. Appaji opened his mouth to speak but Krishna interrupted him. ‘I will,’ he announced.

‘Mahaprabhu, it…you cannot risk… You are our emperor.’ Appaji shook his head, his frail body quivering.

‘You misunderstand, Mahamantri. I will not be leading a force to simply reinforce the defenders of Adoni. No, I will be leading the entire royal army. There will no longer be annual attacks on our country,’ he declared as he sat back on his throne. A stunned silence followed. The others exchanged looks, wondering how best they could dissuade Krishna from his decision. Then they spoke up together, first objecting to the expedition then offering to lead it in Krishna’s place. Through all this, Krishna watched them calmly untill finally they fell silent. Even Appaji heaved his shoulders, accepting Krishna’s decision.

Finally, Ramalinga asked, ‘When do we leave, Mahaprabhu?’

‘You will leave tonight, Ramalinga, leading the advance force. I will follow a few days later with the bulk of our army.’

‘Mahaprabhu, if you are determined to do this then I beg you to wait till a Nayaka army that’s large enough arrives in the capital,’ Aravidu Bukka said.

‘It will be too late, Senapathi. The enemy might disperse to their lands by then.’

‘That will only work in our favour. One by one, we can capture their forts,’ Nagama Nayaka said.

‘I don’t care for their lands or forts; it is their army that is my primary concern. They must be thoroughly defeated.’

They wondered if they should attempt to debate his decision but Krishna waved for servants who brought forth golden plates, each with a single beeda, before the three generals.

‘Do you swear to undertake your duty to the Samrajya?’ Krishna said.

Each man lifted the beeda and raised their hand in salute. ‘We swear, Mahaprabhu.’

‘Then go forth with my blessings,’ Krishna commanded. The men put the beeda in their mouths signifying their acceptance of their tasks.

Nagama Nayaka gave a salute and left the room. Aravidu Bukka turned to follow but then he paused. ‘Mahaprabhu, I have a request,’ he said.

‘What is it?’

‘I want you to let my grandsons Rama and Tirumala accompany you on this expedition,’ he said.

‘I will be honoured to have them accompany me,’ Krishna smiled and Bukka departed.

That left Ramalinga and Appaji.

‘Mahaprabhu, what would be my role in the coming campaign?’ Ramalinga asked.

‘And mine?’ Appaji asked, visibly agitated that Krishna had not taken him into confidence.

‘I think you will find answers to all your questions here,’ Krishna promised as he beckoned Appaji and Ramalinga to gather near the map and began to outline his plan.



‘Krishna, please reconsider,’ Appaji said shakily. They were alone. Appaji felt Krishna was not ready to face the military power of the entire Shahi kingdoms when they were also facing an internal revolt. But he also knew Krishna would not listen to him, not when he had made up his mind. Ramalinga Nayudu had already departed to carry out the first part of Krishna’s plan.

‘Appaji, do you doubt my abilities?’ Krishna asked, his brows tightening in a frown.

‘Krishna, I have lost a great leader, a man who was more a friend than a master, and a boy who was more than a son to me. You are the last to remain. I…I don’t think I am prepared to lose you.’

‘Appaji, I am the fifth emperor of Vijayanagara in less than two decades. In that time, we have lost Udayagiri and its surrounding areas, and many of the feudatory Nayakas are either already in rebellion or are contemplating one. The people of the border regions have witnessed our armies being reduced to impotence, hiding away in forts while the enemy have wreaked havoc on them and their lands. What have these two decades given the common man of the Samrajya, Security? Glory? A future? No, Appaji, this cannot continue.’

‘That still does not require you to personally lead the armies. Have you forgotten what happened during Saluva Narasimha’s campaign?’

‘How can I, Appaji? I made a promise to him that the Gajapatis will pay for what they did to the Mahaprabhu,’ Krishna replied fiercely.

‘Then do not make the same mistake as he did. We are not ready, Krishna, especially to face the powerful Bahmani cavalry. Even your men are not a match for them.’

‘But we do not face the Bahmani cavalry. We face the armies of Bijapur, Bidar and Golconda.’

‘But we cannot be sure of succeeding.’

‘Appaji, I will not sit in Vijayanagara pretending that my rule is peaceful and my lands are prosperous while our enemies continue to weaken the Samrajya. How long before the Nayakas along the River Krishna decide that it is better for them to side with the sultans than with an emperor who is too scared to leave his capital?’

Appaji sighed loudly. ‘Krishna, you are gambling everything on this war. If you lose, the Samrajya will crumble.’

‘I will not lose, Appaji,’ Krishna said, grabbing Appaji’s shoulders and squeezing them firmly. ‘Believe in me, as you did in Gersoppa,’ he whispered. Appaji’s eyes clouded as he gripped Krishna’s right hand. ‘I believe in you, Mahaprabhu, but I am afraid for my boy,’ Appaji said.

Krishna embraced him. ‘We will prevail, Appaji. With you by my side, I will defeat all our enemies,’ he promised.



It reminded him of an anthill. Hundreds of porters working at a fervent pace carrying bags of grains from the royal granaries and stacking them outside. Some distance away, quartermasters were directing servants to dab the bags with different colours to indicate which unit of the army was supposed to receive them. In the corner was a steady stream of bullock carts entering the granary and departing after filling the bags to the brim with supplies. Ramaraya watched the preparation with some surprise. He had expected the emperor to dispatch a few thousand men as aid to Adoni. In fact, he had specifically asked his grandfather to make the suggestion to the emperor. It was, Ramaraya had assumed, the simplest and the most ideal solution, one in which everyone would look like a hero – he, the emperor, his grandfather – but most of all it would wash off his disgrace under Qutb Shah. Instead, the emperor had mobilized the entire royal army. To say that he was disappointed would be an understatement. With the emperor personally leading the relief force, Ramaraya would simply be among the many officers in the army, and his contributions in any form would be overshadowed by those of other senior commanders. He cursed silently, forcing his attention back to the supplies that he was to procure at this grandfather’s command.

‘Are we finally going to attack the Turushka armies, Anna?’ Aravidu Tirumala asked, a question that was also on Ramaraya’s mind. They had come to the capital to deliver the news to emperor Vira Narasimha Devaraya. Instead they found that his brother, Krishna Deva Raya, had ascended the throne only a fortnight earlier.

‘I would have expected him to stay in the capital to strengthen his hold on the throne,’ Paparaya, Ramaraya’s cousin, said. Ramaraya looked annoyed. Though his uncle had decided to send him to the capital for aid, at the last moment he had decided to include his son, perhaps not wanting Ramaraya to get all the glory. Ramaraya still liked his cousin, who was only a year younger than him and had a bright outlook on everything. He had also not treated Ramaraya differently when . . .