Venkata war with golkonda also known as Venkata II's campaign against Muslims.[1] In 1589, Emperor Venkata II of Vijayanagara initiated his reign by launching military campaigns against the Muslims, targeting the Golconda territories. This marked a shift from the defensive stance of his predecessors. Venkata's forces successfully defended Penukonda from Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah's siege, leading to the Sultan's retreat due to impending floods. Subsequently, Venkata pursued and defeated the Sultan's forces along the Pennar River, achieving significant victories and reclaiming lost territories.
The Sultan’s attempts to counterattack failed, with his general Rustom Khan suffering a major defeat. Venkata's forces continued their offensive, ultimately pushing the Golconda troops back beyond the Krishna River and reclaiming coastal regions up to Kassimkota and Palkonda. This restored much of Vijayanagara's former territories and re-established its dominance in the region.
In 1589, Emperor Venkata's grant clearly states that he began his military campaigns against the Muslims right after his coronation. According to an anonymous historian, Venkata initiated his reign by launching attacks and invasions into the Golconda territories. This marked a new phase in the ongoing conflict between Vijayanagara and the Muslims. Previously, since the Battle of Raksas-Tangadi, rulers like Tirumala and Ranga I focused mainly on defending themselves against Muslim forces. Ranga I had managed to drive the Muslims out of Ahobalam and its nearby areas. However, Venkata II started his rule with a successful offensive campaign that continued for several years.[11][1][12]
Invasion of Qutb Shah
Siege of Penukonda
Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, Golconda, about 1590
The Sultan of Golkonda, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, invaded Vijayanagara with the aim of driving out Venkata. He marched to Penukonda and started a siege without facing any initial resistance. Venkata, who was in Penukonda, sent his minister Gobraj Tima and his general Pavia Chitti to negotiate with the Sultan. The Sultan agreed to a temporary truce to discuss peace.[11][1][13]
During this truce, Venkata used the time to prepare for a long defense. His men restocked the fort with provisions in three days. On the fourth day, Jagadeva Raya and his allies, leading 30,000 musketeers, entered the fort to strengthen the defense. Venkata also likely asked for help from Achyuta Nayaka of Tanjore, who sent his son Raghunatha with additional troops.[14][1][11][10]
When the Sultan realized the fort was well-prepared, he resumed the siege but had little success. As the rainy season approached, the Sultan knew that the flooding of the Krishna River would cut off his supplies. So, he decided to end the siege and withdraw. Although the Golkonda chronicler downplays it, this was a significant defeat for the Sultan, caused by Venkata's strong defense.[11] Different sources confirm this event, making it trustworthy, especially when considering the same Muslim author who describes Venkata's victorious campaign in Udayagiri.[14][13]The Raghunathabhyudayam, focusing on Raghunatha's deeds, mentions that many enemies fled Penukonda upon hearing of Raghunatha's arrival with troops, while a few horsemen who opposed him were easily defeated, likening Raghunatha to Rama defeating the Rakshasas. This victory was just one part of Venkata's larger military success.[11][14][1][13]
Battle of Pennar
An inscription from Sidhout by Ananta Raja also notes his heroism in defeating the Muslim forces at Penukonda. Considering all sources, it seems that after being repelled at Penukonda, the Golkonda army retreated north, pursued by Hindu forces. According to the Ramarajiyamu, Venkatapati Raya gathered his army and chased Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah's invading forces back to Golkonda, defeating them along the Pennar River, which ran red with the blood of the slain Muslim soldiers.[11][15][2][16][1]
Pennar Massacre
Pennar Point and Pennar Mouth - geograph.org.uk - 5124949
On the banks of the Pennar River, Venkatapati personally led his troops in a major ambush against the Golkonda forces. They killed 50,000 Muslim soldiers, turning the river red with blood. This big victory greatly weakened the Qutb Shah's army. For the first time since the Battle of Talikota, Hindu forces had completely defeated the invaders, bringing back the fear that the Sultans had felt during the reigns of Krishna Deva Raya and Aliya Rama Raya.[10][15]
After this crushing defeat, Venkatapati chased the remaining Qutb Shah forces to the Krishna River. Prince Muhammad Shah kept losing battles during this retreat. Many local rulers south of the Krishna River revolted against the Qutb Shah and joined Venkatapati. At the same time, the Golkonda forces were busy defending their kingdom against the Mughal Prince Murad in the north. This situation further helped Venkatapati in his campaign.[10][16][1][12]
This battle was significant in the Hindu Empire's history, as many of Venkata's grants mention it. The Vilapaka grant and the Dalavay Agraharam plates, along with two other grants, state that the Muslim ruler was forcibly stripped of troops, horses, elephants, weapons, umbrellas, and parasols by Venkata's powerful army. The Vilapaka grant further documents this. The Vilapaka grant talks about how Muhammad Shah, Malik Ibrahim's son, kept losing battles and returned home feeling sad and with his reputation damaged. Ironically, his name became famous for all the wrong reasons due to these daily defeats. The Vellangudi plates expand on this, saying Muhammad Shah lost many battles against the Hindu Emperor's army. He would often come back from these fights feeling down because he lost important things like elephants, horses, weapons, and even his special umbrella. The Padmaneri and Mangalampad grants also mention this, highlighting how the Golkonda Sultan faced a big defeat against the Hindu Emperor.The Sultan's army faced repeated defeats by the forces of Penukonda.[16][1][12]Before crossing back over the Krishna River, the Sultan took steps to secure the territory between the Pennar and Krishna rivers. He assigned Asva Rao to defend Musalimadugu, Sanjar Khan to Gandikota, and Jagat Rao to Nandyal. Murtaza Khan was appointed as the chief commander of the remaining forces. After making these arrangements, the Sultan returned to Hyderabad.[17][12]
Capture of Gutti
Buoyed by their recent triumph, the Vijayanagara army wasted no time in pursuing the retreating Muhammadan garrisons from their occupied strongholds. With Gutti fort swiftly falling into their hands, their focus shifted seamlessly towards Gandikota, the next strategic target.[18]
Attempt for Kandir
The anonymous chronicler from Golkonda mentions that when the Muhammadan troops were called to join the grand army against Penukonda, they left the Kandbir district undefended. Venkata saw this as a perfect opportunity to reclaim some lost territory. Even before Muhammad Shah's final defeat, Venkata sent a force to help Kowlanada, the Raja of Udayagiri, to plunder and devastate the area up to Kandir and the Krishna river. Kowlanada's son-in-law, Wurias Ray, led this mission but was eventually defeated by Afzul Khan and Ajda Khan, losing three thousand men and his camp equipment.[11][1]
Capture of Gandikota
Meanwhile, Venkata gathered an army of one hundred thousand men led by Yeltumraj, Gulang Setti, and Manupraj to recapture Gandikota from Sanjur Khan. Despite facing constant harassment from the garrison, they persisted in the siege. However, news reached them that Murtaza Khan, with the main Muslim army, had captured the city of Karpa and destroyed its temples. In response, Venkata sent Yeltumraj and Manupraj with ten thousand cavalry to attack Murtaza Khan, likely following shortly after with the rest of his army.[11][1]
Gandikota 2
When the Sultan of Golkonda learned of these events, he sent Rustom Khan with five thousand horsemen to reinforce Murtaza Khan. Meanwhile, Murtaza Khan defended himself against the increasing numbers of Hindus for three months, unable to engage in battle and resorting to plundering and cutting off supplies. Upon Rustom Khan's arrival, he took command of all the troops but made a critical mistake. He camped on a rainy, muddy terrain without attacking the Hindus. Seeing an opportunity to sow confusion, the Hindus dressed up a decorated bullock and drove it towards the Muslim army. Rustom Khan, alarmed by the strange sight, fled to the rear, causing panic among his troops. Exploiting this chaos, the Hindus surrounded the Muslims with their musketeers and attacked from all sides.[11][1]
The Muhammadan cavalry, which formed the backbone of their army, struggled to charge through the thick black soil and were picked off one by one by the enemy's musketeers. They faced potential annihilation if not for Murtaza Khan, who gathered a small group and fought his way through the enemy ranks, allowing many of the Muslims to retreat. However, they lost all their camp equipment and suffered heavy casualties.[15] The defeat inflicted on the Muslims was severe, as evidenced by the chronicler's concluding remark: "Rustom Khan faced disgrace upon his return to Haidarabad, being dressed in women's clothing before being banished from the kingdom."[11][1]
Rebellion against Golconda and Venkata's interference
At this time, Amin-ul-Mulk, the Minister of the Sultan of Golkonda, sent officers to collect taxes from the jagirdars (landlords) in the Telugu country. However, these jagirdars hoped to overthrow the Muslim rule with the help of Venkatapati, the new and brave sovereign of Vijayanagara. The anonymous chronicler mentions that the tax demand had been delayed for so long that the jagirdars refused to pay and even invited Venkatapati to join them in opposing Muhammad Quli's forces. To show their defiance, they plundered Golkonda's territory near Kandbir.Interestingly, not all these rebellious jagirdars were Hindus; some were Muslims. Both the Golkonda chronicler and the Aminabad inscription mention four chiefs who rebelled: Alam Khan Pathan, Khan Khanan (both Muslims), Sabaji Maratha, and Balla Row (both Hindus). When Etibar Khan reported the jagirdars' disaffection to the court, Amin-ul-Mulk volunteered to lead a force against them and set out from Hyderabad with ten thousand cavalry.[19][1]Upon reaching Kandbir, he met Kowlananda, the Raja of Udayagiri, suspected of instigating the rebellion due to his recent interactions with Venkatapati. The Muslim general arrested and hanged the Hindu chief, which alarmed the insurgents. Despite their army of seven thousand cavalry and ten thousand infantry fortified in Ardinga, they retreated to join Venkatapati's forces. Amin-ul-Mulk pursued them but only managed to devastate and occupy their lands. The Aminabad inscription states that Amin-ul-Mulk crossed the Krishna River with a large Golkonda army and drove away the enemies. However, despite executing about 200 Naigwaries (allies of the rebels), the rebellion was not fully suppressed, and Venkata's authority remained dominant in the Telugu country.[19][1]
Shortly after, Makund Raj, the Raja of Kasimkotta, who had received the robe of installment from Muhammad Quli himself, attempted to capture Birlas Khan, the Sultan's representative. This act prompted Muhammad Quli to send his general, Mir Zainul-Abidin, with a force to demand overdue tribute and future punctuality from Makund Raj. Mir Zainul-Abidin sought reinforcements from the Sultan, who sent Amir Jumla, Amin-ul-Mulk, and Shankar Raj with more troops. Alarmed, Makund Raj sought help from neighboring Rajas and Venkatapati. After a fierce battle in which Shankar Raj was killed, the Muhammadans were defeated. Makund Raj reached Kasimkotta and executed Birlas Khan and other Muslims.[19][1]Meanwhile, Venkatapati invaded Kandbir upon invitation from the Raja of Kasimkotta. The Sultan of Golkonda, defending Ahmadnagar against Prince Murad, directed Adil Khan Bungy with two hundred elephants and many guns to oppose Venkatapati. However, Venkatapati, with an army of two hundred thousand and one thousand elephants, sent ambassadors with rich presents to the Sultan, claiming his only intention was to see Lake Cammum. Adil Khan Bungy was ordered to refrain from invading and remain at Kandbir.[1]
The anonymous Golkonda chronicler's account aims to conceal the defeat of Golkonda troops, suggesting Venkata did not dare to battle the Muslim general. In reality, the Muhammadan army was not formidable, and the story of the ambassadors and the lake visit is likely fabricated. The Ramarajiyamu and further Telugu history during Venkata's reign show the Hindu sovereign's final success. The Ramarajiyamu depicts the Sultan of Golkonda seeking peace and agreeing that the Krishna River would form the boundary between their territories, signifying the recovery of lost territories and the re-establishment of Vijayanagara's old boundaries.The Vellangudi plates state that, similar to Rama, Venkata restored the honor and territories of his kingdom.[16][1]
Qutb Shah tried to recover from this disaster by sending a capable general, Amin-ul-Mulk, to defend the territories south of the Krishna River. Amin-ul-Mulk managed to suppress the revolts temporarily, but within a year, Venkatapati successfully forced the Muslim forces to retreat beyond the Krishna.[10][1]
While Muslim records claim that Venkatapati did not recapture Kondavidu and sued for peace when he saw the Golkonda reinforcements, this is misleading. In reality, Venkatapati put the Muslim general to death and advanced as far as Kassimkota (north of Visakhapatnam). The ruler of Kassimkota, Mukunda Raja, defected to Vijayanagara, indicating that Venkatapati not only recaptured Kondavidu but also crossed the Krishna along the coast, conquering coastal lands up to Kassimkota and Palkonda. This means that almost the entire coastal region of present-day Andhra Pradesh came under his control.[10][1]
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Qutb Shahi dynasty 
Venkata II 
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