The siege of Kampili,[8] led by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, took place in the 14th century during his reign as the Sultan of Delhi. The expedition was part of Tughlaq's military campaigns to expand the Delhi Sultanate's territory. The Kampili kingdom, located in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, was a significant regional power. However, Tughlaq sought to assert his authority and extend his influence over the region. He dispatched Malik Zada to lead the Delhi Sultanate's forces in the siege, which ultimately led to the decline of the Kampili kingdom and its absorption into the Delhi Sultanate. This conquest marked a major victory for Tughlaq and significantly expanded the empire's control over the southern territories.

Siege of Kampili
DateMay 1327 A.D.
Location15°20′04″N 76°27′44″E / 15.33444°N 76.46222°E / 15.33444; 76.46222
Result Tughlaq victory[1]
Territorial
changes

The territory of the Kampili kingdom was annexed to the Delhi Sultanate.

Belligerents
Delhi sultanate Kampili kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Muhammad bin Tughluq[2]
Malik Zada
Khwaja Jahan[3]
Kampilideva [4]
Kumara Rama [5][6][7]
Siege of Kampili is located in Karnataka
Siege of Kampili
Location within Karnataka
Siege of Kampili is located in India
Siege of Kampili
Siege of Kampili (India)

The small Kampili kingdom was situated in Hampi, Karnataka. It had flourished under the rule of Kampilideva, but its resources were greatly diminished by early invasions from the Delhi Sultanate, particularly during the reigns of Sultan Alauddin Khalji and Malik Kafur. However, the kingdom faced a major threat in 1327 A.D. at the hands of the Delhi Sultanate.

Background

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In 1327, Bahaudin Gurshasp, Muhammad bin Tughluq's first cousin and governor of Sagar, rebelled against the king and aimed for the Delhi throne. He attacked loyal chiefs, forcing them to seek refuge in Mando. Tughauq sent his Gujarat forces to defeat Bahaudin, who, despite his initial success, lost the battle due to the defection of his officer, Khizr Bahrani. Bahaudin fled to Sagar, then moved his family and wealth to Kampila, seeking protection from the Raya of Kampili. The shelter given to Bahaudin by its king offered Muhammad Tughluk a fine excuse to declare war on Kampili[9] [10] The siege of Kampili was part of Muhammad bin Tughlaq's larger military campaigns in the Deccan, aimed at consolidating control in the region. The conflict was characterized by intense fighting and strategic maneuvers as both sides sought to gain the upper hand.[11][12] Overall, the siege of the Kampili under Muhammad bin Tughlaq was a significant episode in South Indian history, shaping the power dynamics and influence in the Deccan region during the 14th century.[13][14]

Battle

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Muhammad bin Tughlaq on the throne - Indian Museum Kolkata

Under the command of Malik Zada, the forces of the Delhi Sultanate were dispatched by the Emperor to advance against the Kampili kingdom. A fierce battle unfolded at Chitradurga, resulting in the ruthless slaying of numerous soldiers from the Kampili army.[15] Notably, the ruler of the Kampili kingdom, Kampilideva, along with his son Kumara Rama, fell at the hands of Malik Zada during this conflict.[16][17][18] Both were mercilessly slain,[19][20][21][22] leading to the complete downfall of the Kampili kingdom.[10][23][24][25]

Aftermath

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The queen of the Kampili kingdom, along with thousands of women from the kingdom, committed mass suicide through the act of "Jauhar." This event holds significant historical importance in Indian history. Following the occupation of the Kampili by the Delhi forces, the Kampili kingdom was entirely vanquished.[26][24]

References

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  1. ^ Goodearth Limited, Eicher (2001). Speaking Stones World Cultural Heritage Sites in India. Eicher Goodearth Limited. p. 172. ISBN 9788187780007.
  2. ^ Sharma, M .H. THE HISTORY OF VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE VOL.1. p. 12.
  3. ^ Sharma, M .H. THE HISTORY OF VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE VOL.1. p. 12.
  4. ^ Ananthakrishnan, Indira (2022). The Queen Who Ruled the Waves and Other Amazing Tales of Royalty from Indian History. Hachette India. ISBN 9789391028411.
  5. ^ Narayana Singh, Udaya (2021). Culturation: Essays in Honour of Jawaharlal Handoo. Central Institute of Indian Languages, 2001. p. 102. ISBN 9788173420948.
  6. ^ Goodearth Limited, Eicher (2001). Speaking Stones World Cultural Heritage Sites in India. Eicher Goodearth Limited. p. 172. ISBN 9788187780007.
  7. ^ Ananthakrishnan, Indira (2022). The Queen Who Ruled the Waves and Other Amazing Tales of Royalty from Indian History. Hachette India. ISBN 9789391028411.
  8. ^ Sōmaśēkharaśarma, Mallampalli (1948). History of the Reddi Kingdoms (circa. 1325 A.D. to Circa 1448 A.D.). Andhra University. p. 64.
  9. ^ Sharma, M .H. THE HISTORY OF VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE VOL.1. p. 12.
  10. ^ a b Stein, Burton (1990). The New Cambridge History of India: Vijayanagara. Cambridge University Press. pp. 18–19. ISBN 978-0-521-26693-2.
  11. ^ Ramanayya, N. Venkata (1942). The Early Muslim Expansion in South India. University of Madras. pp. 50–51.
  12. ^ Luniya, Bhanwarlal Nathuram (1978). Life and Culture in Medieval India. Kamal Prakashan. pp. 470–471.
  13. ^ Kainikara, Dr Sanu (2020-08-01). From Indus to Independence - A Trek Through Indian History: Vol VII Named for Victory : The Vijayanagar Empire. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-93-89620-52-8.
  14. ^ Sarma, P. Sree Rama (1992). A History of Vijayanagar Empire. Prabhakar Publications. pp. 12–13.
  15. ^ Reddy, Ravula Soma (2007). Studies in the Socio-economic History of Medieval: Andhra Desa. Research India Press. p. 56. ISBN 978-81-89131-14-2.
  16. ^ Hospet. National Atlas and Thematic Mapping organisation, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. 1995. p. 4.
  17. ^ Srivastava, Kanhaiya Lall (1980). The Position of Hindus Under the Delhi Sultanate, 1206-1526. Munshiram Manoharlal. p. 202. ISBN 978-81-215-0224-5.
  18. ^ Bharatiya Pragna. Pragna Bharati. 2006. p. 47.
  19. ^ Siṃha, Udaẏa Nārāẏana; Singh, Udaya Narayana (2001). Culturation: Essays in Honour of Jawaharlal Handoo. Central Institute of Indian Languages. p. 102. ISBN 978-81-7342-094-8.
  20. ^ Madras Government Oriental Series (in Telugu). 1952. pp. VI.
  21. ^ Rao, Velcheru Narayana; Shulman, David Dean; Subrahmanyam, Sanjay (2003). Textures of Time: Writing History in South India 1600-1800. Other Press. pp. 107–108. ISBN 978-1-59051-044-5.
  22. ^ Art and Architecture in Karnataka: Papers Presented at the National Seminar on Archaeology 1985. Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Karnataka. 1996. p. 136.
  23. ^ Gilmartin, David (2000). Beyond Turk and Hindu: Rethinking Religious Identities in Islamicate South Asia. University Press of Florida. pp. 300–306, 321–322. ISBN 978-0-8130-3099-9.
  24. ^ a b Ramanujan, S. R. (2019-02-04). Vijayanagara: The Never to be Forgotten Empire. Notion Press. pp. Chapter 2. ISBN 978-1-68466-745-1.
  25. ^ Sharma, R. S. (1992). A Comprehensive History of India: A.D. 985-1206. People's Publishing House. p. 190. ISBN 978-81-7007-121-1.
  26. ^ Pal, Vijay Kumar (2023-01-30). JAUHAR: in Indian Sub-Continent. Shashwat Publication. p. 177. ISBN 978-93-93557-80-3.