Vijayanagara Series 16: Was Tamil the official language of the Vijayanagara Empire?

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Yes. Tamil is one of the official language of the Vijayanagara Empire alongwith Kannada, Telugu and Sanskrit.

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2

Vijayanagara Empire had atleast seven feudatory Kingdoms.

1. Tulu Rajya (Kanara) with Bangalore and Mangalore as capital. (Later mentioned as Mysore also)

2. Malai Rajya (Shimoga and North Kanara) with Banavasi as capital.

3. Udayagiri Rajya (Nellore and Cuddappa) with Udayagiri as capital.

4. Penukonda Rajya with Penugonda as capital.

5. Muluvai Rajya (Kolar, Chittor, Salem, Dharmapuri, North Arcot) with Mulbagal as capital.

6. Rajagambira Rajya- Chola and Tondaimandalam (mentioned as Chandragiri also).

7. Pandiya Rajya with Madurai as capital.

Rajyas 5 and 6 had Tamil and Telugu populations since 2nd Century and 7 had only Tamil population until 14th century.

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3

Many Vijayanagara Emperors knew Tamil.

They propogated Tamil Temple Architecture over other architects.

Devaraya II, supported Arunagiri Nathar and propagated Koumarism (worship of Murugan) and initiator of Carnatic Music.

Surprised?- read below:

The protocol for Vijayanagara Empire is that the Prince or Emperor in Waiting were first made Governors of Muluvai /Raja Gambhira Rajya ( Chozha and Thondai Mandalams of Tamil Countries- a feudatory kingdom of Vijayanagara Empire).

The reason for these Emperors affinity towards Tamil Kingdoms and Dravidian architect is due to their grooming for highest authority as youngsters there.

Be it Kumara Kampanna of Sangama Dynasty or Achuta Devaraya of Tulu Dynasty.

Quote:

The eldest son of the emperor generally assumed the charge of governor and the first one to take charge of this province was Kumara Kampana son of Bukka I.

His father Bukka I gave him the responsibility of defeating the Sambuvarayas of Padaivedu and Sultans of Madurai. Kampana inflicted a crushing defeat upon these two rulers and annexed their kingdoms with the help of Telugu commanders.

Prince Kampanna died earlier than his father and his Children were made Governors of Muluvai, Raja Gambira and Madurai.

The tradition continued in Saluva, Tulu and Araiva iti dynasties as well.

Unquote

Every emperor visited, spent considerable time in temple reconstructions (destoyed by turkish Invasions), temple expansions and endowed Temples there- Ekambareswar Temple, Kanchi / Chidambaram the list is endless.

Sri Rangam Rajagopuram did not complete due to Achuta Devaraya’s death in 1540 and remained Mottai Gopuram till 1987. It is one of the tallest (240feet) in the world today.

All temple inscriptions in Tamil kingdoms (including Tirupati untill Maratha invasion in 1670) are in Tamil, till the empire and their feaudatories were in power.

Mohan N R's answer to Which language has the majority of the inscriptions in and around Tirupati out of Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada?

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4

After Talikota defeat, the empire changed the capital from Penukonda, Chandragiri and Vellore (called Roya Vellore)

Their feudatories of Madurai, Tanjore and Chenji had Tamil and Telugu as official languages.

Mohan N R's answer to Why was the Vijayanagara Empire so dominated by Telugus? For example, when the rulers appointed governors to Tamil lands, it was all Telugus (Nayaks). Why?

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5

Add-on

Do you know, Kingdom of Sinhala (not NE Tamil region) in Sri Lanka had Tamil as official language from 1739–1815.

Mohan N R's answer to Were the Nayakkar kings of Kandy both Hindu and Buddhist at the same time?

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6

If at all, if we rank one region which benefitted the most due to Vijayanagara Rule is Tamil region.

Be it in language;

Be it in Music;

Be it in religion;

Be it in Temple architect.

Mohan N R's answer to Who saved ancient tamilagam from Madurai sultanates?