Sadashiva Nayaka
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Kote Kolahala (Distruber of Forts)[1] Sadashiva Nayaka | |
|---|---|
| Military General | |
| In office 1544–1565 | |
| Monarch | Sadashiva Raya |
| Preceded by | Chaudappa Nayaka |
| Succeeded by | Sankanna Nayaka |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 1565 |
| Parent |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Vijayanagar Empire |
| Battles/wars | |
Sadasiva Nayaka the Nayaka of Keladi, was a distinguished general under the Vijayanagara Emperor Sadashiva Raya. Renowned for his military prowess, he played a crucial role in defending the empire against various Sultanates, including those of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, and Bidar and subjagating various rebel chiefs. His leadership and strategic acumen led to several significant victories that bolstered the Vijayanagara Empire's strength during a period of intense conflict. Sadasiva Nayaka's successful campaigns not only protected the empire's borders. he as one of the most formidable generals of his time.[2][3]
Family
[edit]During the waning years of the Vijayanagara Empire, a prominent Virasaiva agricultural family from Keladi, located above the Ghats in the Kanara districts, began to rise to power. This family gradually extended its rule over a large region. Chaudappa Gauda, who ruled from 1500 to 1504 A.D., was appointed as the chief of the area by the Vijayanagara king, with the title of Nayaka. His leadership marked the foundation of the Keladi Nayaka dynasty. Chaudappa's successor, Sadasiva Nayaka, who ruled from 1544 to 1565 A.D., continued to strengthen the family's rule, establishing the Keladi Nayakas as a formidable regional power during a time of imperial decline.[4]
Military Career
[edit]Campaign Against Bijapur Sultanate
[edit]In 1548-49, Burhan Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar, seizing an opportunity after the death of Bijapur's great general Asad Khan, proposed an alliance with Rama Raya of Vijayanagara to attack the Bijapur Sultanate. Rama Raya, eager for such a plan, embraced the alliance and sent his forces under the command of Sadasiva Nayaka, the ruler of Ikkeri, to lead the campaign. When news of this alliance reached Ibrahim Adil Shah of Bijapur, he insulted Vijayanagara's ambassadors, leading to further hostility. The combined forces of Ahmadnagar and Vijayanagara, led by Burhan Nizam Shah and Sadasiva Nayaka, respectively, moved against the fortified city of Kaliyani. Ibrahim Adil Shah sent his army to block the Hindu forces, but Sadasiva Nayaka's valor prevailed, defeating the Bijapur forces and capturing their spoils. After surrounding Kaliyani and cutting off external communications, the allies were briefly besieged by the Bijapur Maratha horse, leading to a shortage of supplies. Despite this setback, Sadasiva Nayaka, along with other nobles, advocated for a surprise attack on Ibrahim's forces. At dawn, they successfully overran Ibrahim’s camp, forcing him to flee and leaving behind valuable artillery and supplies. Soon after, the fortress of Kaliyani surrendered without much resistance, marking a significant victory for the allies, with Sadasiva Nayaka distinguishing himself as a key leader in the campaign.[5][6][7][8][9]
Campaign Against Ahmednagar Sultanate
[edit]In the aftermath of Husain Nizam Shah's invasion of Bijapur, the young Sultan Ali Adil Shah fled to Vijayanagara, seeking refuge and military assistance from Rama Raya. As a signatory of the Four Kings' peace, Rama Raya felt obliged to protect Ali Adil Shah from his ambitious neighbor and marched northwards with his army, accompanied by the Sultan. Rama Raya also summoned Ibrahim Qutb Shah to join the alliance, compelling him to participate despite his secret sympathies with Nizam Shah. As the allied forces advanced, Husain Nizam Shah retreated, entrusting the defense of Kalyani to Bhopal Ray and fleeing to Paithan. The allies laid siege to Kalyani and Ahmadnagar for two months, with Rama Raya ordering Sadasiva Nayaka to raid the territory up to the Godavari. During this raid, Sadasiva Nayaka clashed with Nizam Shahi forces at Jamkhed. The Burhan-i-Ma'asir claims victory for Nizam Shah's forces, while the Keladinṛpavijayam asserts that Sadasiva Nayaka defeated the enemy and captured a key officer, Bokka Singa.[10] The subsequent surrender of Kalyani to Ali Adil Shah and further Vijayanagara victories, including Venkatadri's capture of Daulatabad, forced Husain Nizam Shah to seek peace, marking the end of the conflict.[11]
Campaign Against Bidar Sultanate
[edit]The conflict between Ramaraja of Vijayanagara and Ali Barid Shah of Bidar, as detailed in the Keladinṛpavijayam and hinted at in the Siratattvaratnakaram, showcases a significant yet often understated military campaign. Though the Keladinṛpavijayam credits the victory to the heroism of Sadasiva Nayaka of Keladi, the actual campaign was led by Ramaraja's brother, Venkatadri, and supported by Narasaraja of Torgal, Sadasiva Nayaka, and other officers. The causes of this war remain unclear, with Muslim historians offering no explanation. However, evidence suggests that this conflict occurred after Ramaraja's initial invasion of the Nizam Shahi kingdom, as Ali Barid Shah later aligned with Ramaraja and Ali Adil Shah against Ahmadnagar. When the Vijayanagara forces advanced on Bidar, Barid Shah responded by leading his army to confront them. A fierce battle ensued, with Barid Shah personally directing his troops from the back of an elephant. Despite his efforts, he was defeated, captured along with his ministers, and stripped of his royal insignia, which were claimed as trophies by the victorious Hindu general. This defeat forced Barid Shah into a reluctant alliance with Ramaraja, further entangling him in the larger conflicts of the Deccan.[12][13][14][15]
Campaign Against Minor Chiefs
[edit]At the command of the Raya, Sadasiva Nayaka embarked on a series of successful military campaigns that solidified his reputation as a formidable commander. He first targeted the fort of Chandragutti, where he decisively defeated Saluva Nayaka in battle, capturing both the fort and his opponent.[16] Later, he confronted and overcame the powerful Madana Odeya of Bankapura, earning from the Raya the governance of eighteen Kampanas of Araga as a reward for his victory. With the Raya's approval, Sadasiva Nayaka oversaw the excavation of a tank at Bankapura and facilitated an important meeting between the head of the Sringeri monastery and the Raya. His military prowess was further demonstrated when he quashed the rebellion of Gutti Timma, who had risen against the Raya. Additionally, Sadasiva Nayaka quelled a revolt by the Tuluva chiefs at Kasargod, restoring their allegiance to the Raya and reestablishing order in the region.[17][18][19]
References
[edit]- ^ {{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bmshri.karnatakathrough0000unse/page/669/mode/1up?view=theater |title=Karnataka Through The Ages|date=1968|pages=670
- ^ Karnataka Through The Ages. Servants of Knowledge. The Government Of Mysore. 1968. p. 670.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ K A Nilakanta Sastri. Further Sources Of Vijayanagara History Vol Iii 1946. p. 192.
- ^ Bhatt, P. Gururaja (1975). Studies In Tuluva History And Culture. p. 51.
- ^ Henry Heras (1927). Aravidu Dynasty Of Vijayanagara. p. 79-81.
- ^ K. Abhishankar (1975). Karnataka state Gazetteer Shimoga District. Bangalore, Director of Printing Stationery and Publications. p. 52.
- ^ Shyam, Radhey (1966). The Kingdom of Ahmadnagar. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 89-90. ISBN 978-81-208-2651-9.
- ^ Stein, Burton (1990). The New Cambridge History of India: Vijayanagara. Cambridge University Press. p. 117. ISBN 978-0-521-26693-2.
- ^ M.h. Rama Sharma (1917). The History Of The Vijayanagar Empire. p. 200-201.
- ^ K A Nilakanta Sastri. Further Sources Of Vijayanagara History Vol Iii 1946. p. 192.
- ^ K A Nilakanta Sastri (1946). Further Source Of Vijayanagara History Vol I 1946 By K A Nilakanta Sastri. p. 254-256.
- ^ K A Nilakanta Sastri (1946). Further Source Of Vijayanagara History Vol I 1946 By K A Nilakanta Sastri. p. 256-257.
- ^ K. Abhishankar (1975). Karnataka state Gazetteer Shimoga District. Bangalore, Director of Printing Stationery and Publications. p. 52.
- ^ Karnataka Through The Ages. Servants of Knowledge. The Government Of Mysore. 1968. p. 670.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Uppe, Dr Shivakumar V. (2022-07-30). BRIEF CULTURAL HISTORY OF BASAVAKALYANA. Ashok Yakkaldevi. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-387-84786-0.
- ^ Henry Heras (1927). Aravidu Dynasty Of Vijayanagara. p. 56.
- ^ K A Nilakanta Sastri. Further Sources Of Vijayanagara History Vol Iii 1946. p. 192.
- ^ DEPARTMENT OF EXTENSION SERVICE & PUBLICATIONS KARNATAK UNIVERSITY, DHARWAR 3. A History Of South Kanara. p. 227.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Karnataka Through The Ages. Servants of Knowledge. The Government Of Mysore. 1968. p. 670.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)