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{{Short description|War in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Raichur
| partof = Deccani–Vijayanagar wars
| date = 19 May 1520<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sewell |first=Robert |url=https://archive.org/details/forgotten_empire_vijayanagar_-_robert_sewell/page/n192/mode/1up |title=Forgotten Empire Vijayanagar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sastri |first=K A Nilakanta |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.280075/page/n226/mode/1up |title=Further Source Of Vijayanagara History Vol I|date=1946 }}</ref>{{Page needed|date=October 2025}}
| place = [[Raichur]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
| territory =
| result = [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijaynagar]] victory{{blist|Complete sack and destruction of capital [[Bijapur]]{{sfn|Eaton|2013|p=292}}}}
| status =
| combatant1 = [[Vijayanagara Empire]]
| combatant2 = {{plainlist|
[[Adil Shahi dynasty|Sultanate of Bijapur]]
}}
| commander1 = [[Krishnadevaraya]]<ref name=Bhat/> [[Timmarusu]] [[Pemmasani Nayaks|Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayaka]] Timmappa Nayaka Adapa Nayaka Kumara Virayya Ganda Raya
| commander2 = [[Ismail Adil Shah]]{{Surrendered}}<ref name=Bhat/> Mirza Jahangir{{KIA}} Salabut Khan{{POW}}{{Executed}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=GOPAL |first=M. H. |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12385 |title=THE HISTORY OF VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE VOL.1 |date=1956 |publisher=POPULAR PRAKASHAN,BOMBAY |pages=139–144}}</ref> Asada Khan<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sewell |first1=Robert |title=Forgotten Empire Vijayanagar |quote=The Raya then crossed the river and seized the Shah's camp, while the Shah himself, by the counsel and help of Asada Khan, a man who afterwards became very famous, escaped only with his life, and fled from the field on an elephant. |url=https://archive.org/details/forgotten_empire_vijayanagar_-_robert_sewell/page/n185/mode/1up}}</ref>
| strength1 = {{plainlist|
'''Contemporary sources: '''
* 132,000
** 32,000 [[cavalry]]
** 550 [[elephants]]
*Portuguese contingent '''Another estimate: '''
*30,000 troops '''Modern estimates: '''
* 70,000 [[infantry]]
* 30,000 [[cavalry]]
* 550 [[war elephants]]{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
}}
| strength2 = {{plainlist|
*120,000 [[infantry]]
*18,000 [[cavalry]]
*150 [[elephants]] '''Inside fort:'''
*8,000 infantry
*400 horses
*20 elephants
*30 catapults
*200 Heavy artillery
}}
| strength3 =
| casualties1 = 16,000 soldiers
| casualties2 = Unknown but heavy{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}
| casualties3 =
| notes =
| image = Raichur Fort 1.jpg
| caption = [[Raichur Fort]]
}}
[[File:Arcabuziers India.jpg|thumb|327x327px|Portuguese Arcabuziers in India, 16th century. [[João de Castro|D João de Castro]] Tapestries.]]

The '''Battle of Raichur''' was fought between the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] and the [[Adil Shahi dynasty|Sultanate of Bijapur]] in 1520<ref name="Roy 68">{{harvp|Roy|2014|p=68}}: "In 1520, Battle of Raichur was fought between Krishna Raya of Vijayanagara and Sultan Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur."</ref> in the town of [[Raichur]], [[India]]. It resulted in a decisive victory for Vijayanagara forces, and the Bijapur ruler was defeated and pushed across the river [[Krishna River|Krishna]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Krishna Reddy |title=Indian History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CeEmpfmbxKEC&q=raichur+battle&pg=SL2-PA167|year=2008 |publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill|isbn=9780070635777 }}</ref>

== Background ==
The fort of [[Raichur]] was built by [[Kakatiya]] king [[Prataparudra]] in 1294, and passed on to the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara]] Kingdom after the decline of [[Kakatiya]]s. Ever since, the fort had been under dispute for nearly two centuries. The fort, along with other areas of the northern Deccan, was captured by [[Muhammad bin Tughluq|Muhammad Bin Tughluq]] in 1323. The Bahmani Sultanate captured the fort in 1347.<ref>{{harvp|Eaton|2013|p=278}}: "In the confusion surrounding the expulsion of imperial forces in 1347, the Doab apparently fell to the powers that simultaneously arose on the ashes of Tughluq imperialism in the Deccan, the Bahmani sultanate (1347-1538).</ref> [[Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya]] attempted to recapture the city of [[Raichur]] from the Bahmanis, but failed. The immediate prelude to the Battle of Raichur began in the year 1520. In that year, [[Krishnadevaraya]] sent Seyed Maraikar, a Muslim in his service, to [[Goa]] with a large sum of money to buy horses. Maraikar betrayed Krishnadevaraya's cause and went to Adil Khan with the money and offered his services. Krishnadevaraya's demand that Maraikar be returned along with the money was duly refused. During the period of peace Krishnadevaraya made extensive preparations for a grand attack on [[Raichur Doab]].

==Battle==
The battle was fought in [[Raichur]] between the armies of [[Krishnadevraya|Krishnadevaraya]] and the [[Sultanate of Bijapur]].<ref name="Roy 68" /> The main commander of the Vijayanagara army was Saluva [[Timmarusu]] also known as Saluva Timma.<ref>History of South India: Medieval period, University of Virginia{{full citation needed|date=August 2023}}</ref> The Vijayanagara Empire had a force consisting of 32,600 cavalry and 551 elephants according to contemporary sources. Initially, [[Pemmasani Nayaks|Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayaka]] led the vanguard with 30,000 [[infantry]], 1,000 [[cavalry]], and few [[war elephants]].<ref name="Kumar, P.A 2025">Kumar, P.A. 2025. Pemmasani Nayaks: Vanguard of Vijayanagara. Ananda Publications, Hyderabad, India</ref>{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} He was followed by commanders like Timmappa Nayaka, Adapa Nayaka, and Ganda Raya, other notable leaders included Jagadeva, Rayachuri Rami Nayudu, and Kumara Virayya.<ref name="Kumar, P.A 2025"/> {{citation needed|date=June 2025}} The Bijapur Sultanate had a force consisting of 7,000 cavalry and 250 elephants. Modern and contemporary writers disagree on the number of infantry personnel that each side had. The contemporary sources say that Krishnadevaraya had an infantry force consisting of a bit over 700,000 soldiers.<ref>{{Cite book |last=GOPAL |first=M. H. |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12385 |title=THE HISTORY OF VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE VOL.1 |date=1956 |publisher=POPULAR PRAKASHAN,BOMBAY |pages=136}}</ref> [[Ismail Adil Shah|Adil Shah]], with a 120,000 foot, 18,000 horses and 150 elephants strong army, moved to relieve [[Raichur]]. Despite being outnumbered, his artillery advantage was significant. Upon reaching the [[Krishna River]], he found it blocked by [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar]] troops. He then crossed the river and advanced towards Krishna's camp. Both armies prepared for battle and spent a night armed and ready. The next morning, [[Krishnadevaraya|Krishnadeva]] ordered an attack on the Musalmans, initially making progress but facing heavy artillery fire from the Bijapuris. The Hindu forces retreated in disorder, and Krishnadevaraya rallied his troops to counter-attack, ultimately leading to the enemy's panic and retreat.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Majumdar |first=R.C |url=http://archive.org/details/delhisultanate00bhar |title=History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 06,The Delhi Sultanate |date=1967 |publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan |others=Public Resource |pages=314–315}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=GOPAL |first=M. H. |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12385 |title=THE HISTORY OF VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE VOL.1 |date=1956 |publisher=POPULAR PRAKASHAN,BOMBAY |pages=137–139}}</ref> [[Krishnadevaraya|Krishnadeva]], the Vijayanagar leader, encouraged his remaining troops, vowing to die as soldiers instead of fleeing. He called for loyal officers, and together, they charged the enemy. This unexpected counter-attack caused the [[Adil Shahi dynasty|Bijapuris]] to retreat, leading to chaos and many casualties on both sides. The [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar army]] suffered over 16,000 dead, while the [[Adil Shahi dynasty|Bijapuris]] lost many, including Mirza Jehangir, and five important captains including Salabut Khan taken prisoners.<ref name=":1" /> Upon seeing the enemy retreat, Krishna's generals sought permission to continue the battle. However, prioritizing peace, he ordered his troops to withdraw. After capturing the Bijapuris' camp, Krishna counted the spoils: 100 elephants, 400 cannons, tents, horses, oxen, and other animals. He released captured women, honored the fallen with funeral rites, and distributed alms. With the battle concluded, Krishna returned to the siege of [[Raichur Fort|Raichur]].<ref name=":1" /> Moreover, the use of a Portuguese contingent<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Ismāʿīl ʿĀdil Shāh - Bijāpur ruler |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ismail-Adil-Shah|encyclopedia = Britannica}}</ref> commanded by Cristovão de Figueiredo<ref name=Bhat>{{Cite journal|journal =Portuguese Studies Review|volume= 16|number = 2 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSiaBAAAQBAJ&q=Raichur+Portuguese&pg=PA27 |date=15 December 2009|title = Political Interaction between Portuguese Goa and Karnataka|first = N. Shyam|last = Bhat}}</ref> with the use of fireweapons helped to conquer the fortress.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Evolve Back|url= https://www.evolveback.com/hampi/the-battle-of-raichur-the-beginning-of-the-end-of-the-vijayanagara-empire/}}</ref> There is a high probability that [[matchlocks]], which were obtained through contact with the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]], were used as well by the army of the Vijayanagara Empire.<ref>{{citation |last=Buchanan |first=Brenda J. |title=Gunpowder, Explosives and the State: A Technological History |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=G7qoDQAAQBAJ |year=2016 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-351-93190-8 |oclc=965718764 |quote="There is also a strong likelihood of the adoption of European matchlocks in the Vijayanagara Empire at around the same time [1517], through contact with the Portuguese."}}</ref> Additionally, the Portuguese with their [[arquebus]]es picked off the defenders from the walls, and thus enabled the besiegers to approach close to the lines of fortification and pull down the stones. Driven to desperation, and their governor being slain, the garrison surrendered.<ref name=":0" /> Portuguese accounts state that cannons were used extensively by the [[Bijapur Sultanate]]; the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] used them minimally, at best.<ref>{{harvp|Eaton|2013|p=289}}: "All of this suggests that by 1520 cannon were being used in the field—extensively by Bijapur, at best minimally by Vijayanagara—but with only limited effect."</ref> The [[Vijayanagara Empire]] emerged victorious despite the [[Adil Shahi dynasty|Bijapur Sultanate]] having superior firepower.<ref>{{harvp|Roy |2014 |p=68}}: "Though Bijapur had superior firepower, Vijayanagara emerged victorious."</ref>

== Aftermath ==

=== Sack of Bijapur ===

When the city of [[Raichur]] surrendered, Krishnadevaraya made a triumphal entry into it.<ref>{{citation |last1=Murthy |first1=H. V. Sreenivasa |last2=Ramakrishnan |first2=R. |title=A History of Karnataka, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g09uAAAAMAAJ |year=1977 |publisher=S. Chand |page=189 |quote="The city of Raichur surrendered and Krishnadevaraya made triumphal entry into it."}}</ref> Krishnadevaraya was brutal towards Bijapuri generals of [[Raichur]]. Many [[Sultanate of Bijapur|Bijapuri]] generals lost their lands. He declared that if Adil Shah would come to him, do obeisance, and kiss his foot, his lands would be restored to him. The submission never took place. Krishnadevaraya then led his army as far north as [[Bijapur, Karnataka|Bijapur]] and occupied it.{{sfn|Eaton|2013|p=292}} Upon returning to [[Vijayanagara]], Krishnadevaraya received [[Ismail Adil Shah|Isma'il Adil Khan's]] ambassador, who requested the return of captured items, including [[Raichur Fort|Raichur fort]]. [[Krishnadevaraya|Krishnaraya]] agreed on the condition that [[Ismail Adil Shah|Adil Khan]] would pay homage.{{sfn|Eaton|2013|p=292}}<ref name=":0" /> The meeting was scheduled at [[Mudgal]], but when Krishnadevaraya arrived, [[Ismail Adil Shah|Adil Khan]] was absent. Enraged, he advanced on [[Bijapur]], [[Ismail Adil Shah|Adil Shah]] fled and Krishnadevaraya occupied the royal palace. Although not intending to sack the city, [[Bijapur]] suffered damage.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=GOPAL |first=M. H. |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12385 |title=THE HISTORY OF VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE VOL.1 |date=1956 |publisher=POPULAR PRAKASHAN,BOMBAY |pages=140–144}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
[[File:Vijayanagara Empire around 1525.jpg|thumb|Vijayanagara Empire in 1525]]
[[Ismail Adil Shah|Adil Shah]] tried to negotiate, but his ambassador, [[Asad Khan Lari]], betrayed him, claiming Salabat Khan's interference for the failed meeting. Believing the lie, Krishnadevaraya ordered Salabat's execution. Asad Khan accomplished his goal and fled.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />

Infuriated by the ambassador's deceit, Krishnadevaraya invaded [[Bijapur]], causing destruction and capturing some cities. At Sagar, he faced a large army and won a decisive battle with heavy casualties on both sides. Krishnaraya also won battles at Shorapur and Kemba in [[Kalaburagi Fort|Kalaburagi]] district.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{citation |title=Vijayanagara, Progress of Research |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fStuAAAAMAAJ |year=1996 |publisher=Directorate of Archaeology & Museums |pages=200}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> He took prisoner three sons of a former king of the [[Bahmani]] dynasty, who had been held captive by the [[Ismail Adil Shah|Adil Shah]] and he proclaimed the eldest as king of the [[Deccan]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Military History of Medieval India |first=Gurcharn Singh |last=Sandhu |publisher=Vision Books |year=2003 |pages=342}}</ref> This attempt to subvert the rule of the five [[Sultan]]s who had established themselves on the ruins of the single [[Deccan]] sovereignty only resulted in stiffening their hostility towards their common foe.<ref>{{citation |last1=Sewell |first1=Robert |last2=Nunes |first2=Fernão |last3=Paes |first3=Domingos |title=A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_kc3LKI_slEC&pg=PA157 |year=2000 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-0125-3 |pages=157–}}</ref> Krishnadevaraya began to make preparations for an attack on [[Belgaum]], which was in Adil Shah's possession. Soon after, he fell seriously ill to carry out his project and died at the age of forty-five years, in the year 1530. He was succeeded by [[Achyuta Deva Raya]].

==Political consequences==
[[Orientalism|Orientalist]] and [[Hindu nationalism|nationalist]] historians claimed the battle as part of a [[clash of civilizations]] between Hindus and Muslims.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> Contemporary scholars reject such characterizations as flawed.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":12" /> The battle of Raichur had far-reaching effects. The [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara]] victory weakened the power and prestige of the Adil Shah. He turned his attention to making alliances with the other Muslim neighbours. The victory also caused other Sultans in [[Deccan]] to form an alliance to defeat the Vijayanagara Empire. The war also affected the fortunes of the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] on the west coast. Goa rose and fell simultaneously with the rise and fall of the Vijayanagara dynasty because their entire trade depended on Hindu support.<ref name=Bhat/>

Richard Eaton argues that Vijayanagara's victory at Raichur ultimately led to its downfall.<ref name=Eaton>{{Cite book |last=Eaton |first=Richard |chapter=The Deccan and the South, 1400-1650 |title=India in the Persianate Age, 1000-1765 |publisher=Penguin Books |year=2019 |pages=168–172}}</ref> Because Krishna Raya was able to overcome an army with technologically superior weapons, he underestimated the value of investment in military technology. The Sultans of the Deccan, on the other hand, continued to improve their arms and learned the tactics necessary to deploy them well.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{citation |last=Eaton |first=Richard M. |chapter=‘Kiss My Foot,’ Said the King: Firearms, Diplomacy and the Battle for Raichur, 1520 |editor1=Richard M. Eaton |editor2=Munis D. Faruqui |editor3=David Gilmartin |editor4=Sunil Kumar |title=Expanding Frontiers in South Asian and World History: Essays in Honour of John F. Richards |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h0_xhdCScQkC&pg=PA275 |date=2013 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-03428-0 |pages=275–298}}
* {{citation |last=Roy |first=Kaushik |title=Military Transition in Early Modern Asia, 1400-1750: Cavalry, Guns, Government and Ships |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dSVnAwAAQBAJ |year=2014 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=978-1-78093-813-4}}
* Ananda Kumar, P. 2025. Pemmasani Nayaks: Vanguard of Vijayanagara. Ananda Publications, Hyderabad, India.

==Further reading==
* {{citation |last=Wagoner |first=Phillip B. |title=Tidings of the king: a translation and ethnohistorical analysis of the Rāyavācakamu |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_A1uAAAAMAAJ |year=1993 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=978-0-8248-1495-3}}
* Krishnaraja Vijayam - Kumara Dhurjati (in Telugu).
* Sougandhika Prasavapaharanamu - Ratnakaram Gopala Kavi (in Telugu).
* K. Iswara Dutt, Journal of Andhra Historical Research Society. Vol. 10, pp. 222–224.
* {{cite book |last1=Sastry |first1=K. A. Nilakanta |title=Further Sources of Vijayanagara History |date=1946 |url=https://archive.org/details/FurtherSourcesOfVijayanagaraHistory}}

{{coord missing|Karnataka}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Battle Of Raichur}}
[[Category:Battles involving the Vijayanagara Empire]]
[[Category:Muslim period in the Indian subcontinent]]
[[Category:1520 in India]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1520]]
[[Category:Raichur district]]

Battle of Raichur - Revision history

MarcellaBehrend at 15:28, 26 March 2026