Deva Raya I was a king of the Vijayanagara Empire. After Harihara II died, there was a dispute between his sons over succession, in which Deva Raya I eventually emerged victor. He was a very capable ruler noted for his military exploits and his support to irrigation works in his kingdom. He modernized the Vijayanagara army by improving the cavalry, employed skilled archers of the Turkic clans and raised the fighting capacity of his bowmen and imported horses from Arabia and Persia.
The Hazara Rama temple built by Deva Raya I in Hampi
Kannada inscription of Deva Raya I at the Hazara Rama temple in Hampi
Mallikarjuna temple in Mallapangudi, near Hospet, built by Deva Raya I
Kannada inscription of Deva Raya I at the Mallikarjuna temple in Mallappanagudi
The Vijayanagara Empire was a medieval Hindu empire that ruled much of southern India. It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, members of a pastoralist cowherd community that claimed Yadava lineage.
Krishna temple in 1868
Rama temple in 1868
Vitthala temple in 1880
King's balance in 1858