Canberra, 10 April 2020 On his deathbed, Babur introduced his eldest son Humayun as his successor to a specially convened council of nobles and ministers. He then went on to advise the prince, to whom he had bequeathed his kingdom, ‘do naught against your brothers, even though they may deserve it’, an instruction that the […]
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Indian History Part 77 The Aravidu Dynasty Section IV: Rebellions and Declining Fortunes
January 1, 2020 
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Canberra, 1 January 2020 In the period 1596-99, two important events took place in the Deccan that lead one to believe, indirectly, that the fortunes of Vijayanagara was once again on the rise. The first was the annexation of the Nizam Shahi kingdom of Ahmadnagar by the Mughals under the instruction of Emperor Akbar. The […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 77 The Aravidu Rule Section I: Aravidu Rule is Formalised
December 14, 2019 0 Comments
Canberra 14 December 2014 Even before the Shahi kings departed from Vijayanagara, steeped in their own dissentions and confusion, a power struggle for control had started to crystallise in the defeated kingdom with the son of Rama Raya, Timma, questioning his uncle Tirumala’s claim to becoming the Regent. By the time the departing Shahis had […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 75 The Tuluva Dynasty Section VII: The De Facto Reign of Rama Raya
October 23, 2019 0 Comments
Singapore, SilverKris Lounge, 23 October 2019 Sadasiva was very young when he was declared king. There is some confusion regarding his parentage with some sources claiming that he was Krishna Deva Raya’s son and others stating that he was Achyuta Raya’s son. These claims were made by historians before several inscriptions were unearthed at a […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 75 The Tuluva Dynasty Section II: Krishna Deva Raya – Coming to Power
August 4, 2019 0 Comments
Canberra, 4 August 2019 Krishna, the stepbrother of Vira Narasimha II and son of Narasa Nayaka and Queen Nagala Devi, assumed the throne with the assistance of the sagacious minister Saluva Timmaraya on 15 July 1509. He would have been between 20 and 25 years of age at this time. Krishna immediately moved to secure […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 74 The Saluva Dynasty Section II: An Inglorious Demise
July 6, 2019 0 Comments
Canberra, 6 July 2019 Saluva Narasimha left behind two young sons—Timmabhupa and Immadi Narasimha—and on his deathbed commended them to the care of his loyal general Narasa Nayaka. Narasa, who belonged to the Tuluva family and was the son of the famed Iswara Nayaka, was immediately declared the ‘protector’ of the young princes. He placed […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 67 The Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar Section VI: The Beginning of the End
October 1, 2018 0 Comments
Singapore, 1 October 2018 Husain Nizam Shah II was enthroned on the death or murder of his father. Whether the old king was murdered is not clear and would therefore depend on the narrative that one believes in. On becoming king, Husain bestowed favours and rewards on anyone who approached him, irrespective of the services […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 66 The Adil Shahis of Bijapur Section II Entrenching the Dynasty
May 18, 2018 0 Comments
Canberra, 18 May 2018 When Yusuf Shah died, his son Ismail Shah was only 13 or 14 years old (some reports state his age as 9 years). On his deathbed, Yusuf appointed a trusted noble, Kamal Khan to be the guardian of the young prince and also the regent till Ismail achieved majority. He […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 66 The Adil Shahis of Bijapur; Sect I: Yusuf Adil Shah Establishes a Kingdom
April 25, 2018 0 Comments
Canberra, 25 April 2018 The death of Muhammad Shah in 1482 was the virtual end of the Bahmani dynasty, although a few more Bahmani sultans nominally ruled from Bidar. On Muhammad Shah’s death, Mahmud Shah his 12-year old (only eight years old according to some reports) son was placed on the throne. He was rapidly […]
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