About the Sangama Dynasty 

• The Sangama Dynasty was the first ruling dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire, founded in the 14th century by brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I.
• They were the sons of Bhavana Sangama, a chieftain from a pastoralist community with Yadava descent.
• The Sangama Dynasty was established in 1336 CE by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, who founded the city of Vijayanagara on the south bank of the Tungabhadra River.
• The early rulers focused on building the foundations of the empire, both administratively and culturally.

Notable Rulers

• Harihara I: Known for founding the empire and laying its initial foundations.
• Bukka Raya I: Expanded the empire’s territories significantly, ruling from 1343 to 1379 CE.
• Harihara II: Conquered coastal Andhra and important Indian ports like Goa, continuing his predecessor’s expansion.
• Deva Raya I: Ruled from 1404 to 1422 CE, further expanding the empire.
• Deva Raya II (Krishnadeva Raya): Regarded as one of the greatest rulers of the dynasty, he expanded the empire and promoted art, literature, and diplomacy from 1422 to 1446 CE.

Downfall

• Internal conflicts, particularly succession disputes, and external pressures from the Bahmani Sultanate and neighboring kingdoms weakened the dynasty.
• The final blow came when Narasimha of the Saluva Dynasty usurped the throne in 1485 CE, marking the end of the Sangama Dynasty’s reign.

(a) Devaraya I (b) Mallikarjuna (c) Vira Vijaya (d) Virupaksha