HISTORICAL TOPPUR BATTLE OF 1616 IN SOUTH INDIA

HISTORICAL TOPPUR BATTLE OF 1616 IN SOUTH INDIA

Dr K Prabhakar Rao



The most important ruler of Vijaynagar empire in the it’s twilight years was Venkata II ( Venkatapathi Raya) ( 1586–1614 CE), the younger brother of Emperor Sriranga I who became the ruler of Vijayanagara Empire. His reign of three decades saw a revival of strength and prosperity of the empire. He dealt successfully with the Deccani sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda and the internal disorders, promoting economic revival in the country. He brought rebelling Nayaks of Tamil Nadu and parts of present day Andhra Pradesh under control. Around 1592, Venkata II shifted his capital from Penukonda to Chandragiri, which was further South near the Tirupathi hills. Penukonda is now in Ananthapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The indestructible Vellore Fort in present day Tamil Nadu was used as a major base and second capital. The Northern territories of his empire were brought into order by offering easy terms on taxes and reviving agriculture which was frequently run over by the invading Bahmani Sultans. Village administration was streamlined and judiciary was stringently enforced. Several of his chieftains in his North now revolted against him, including some of Aliya Rama Raya’s descendents, but he successfully subdued them. Thus, Venkata II retrieved the fallen prestige of the empire as a result of Tallikota battle to a great extent in his illustrious rule of nearly 30 years. But after him, the empire fell into disarray.
Venkata II, in spite of having several queens sadly did not have a son, hence appointed Sriranga II, the son of his brother Rama as his successor. This was done to prevent one of his favorite queen Bayamma’s fraud on the King by borrowing a baby of her Brahmin maid and calling it as her own. While Robert Swell’s book mentions that the infant was surreptitiously introduced into the palace by Bayamma born out from the marriage of a niece of Venkata I and a Brahman boy, who had been and educated in the pretence that he was the son of King Venkata. For the fear of bad name, Venkata II kept quiet, but nominated Sri Ranga II as his successor. But Gobburi Jagga Raya, brother of the previous ruler Venkata II’s favourite Queen Obayamma claimed her putative son as the King and challenged succession of Sri Ranga II. He imprisoned Sri Ranga II and his family at Vellore fort. This however was most disliked and disapproved by Nayakas of Tanjore and Kalahasthi who were faithful vassals of Vijaynagar empire. Yachama Naika ruler of Kalahasthi ( Velama by caste), very important, very influential and patriotic Chieftain of Late Venkata II did not accept the actions of Jaggaraya.
This resulted in a civil war in the Vijayanagara Kingdom, now based in Vellore and Chandragiri. Yachama Naika arranged smuggling out of Ramdeva the rightful heir to the throne. He was the son of SriRanga II who was under captivity at Vellore. This prompted Jagga Raya to murder ruler Sri Ranga II and all his family members in the prison at Vellore. This infuriated Yachama Naika and other patriotic Chieftains and rulers of Tanjore who made a common front against Jagga Raya. Jagga Raya sought help from the Gingee Nayak and Muttu Virappa of Madurai to attack Yachamanedu ( Yachama Naika) and Rama Deva. Jagga Raya assembled a large army near Tiruchirapalli,the capital of Muttu Virappa comprising the armies of Gingee, Chera, Madurai, and some Portuguese from the coast. Yachama Naika led the forces of Vijayanagara and Kalahasti from Vellore and was joined midway by Tanjore forces headed by Raghunatha Naika. Yachama's army was further strengthened by nobles from Karnataka and (according to some accounts) Dutch and Jaffna armies. Both the Armies met at Toppur, at an open field on the northern banks of River Cauvery, between Tiruchirapalli and Grand Anicut in late months of 1616. The huge assembly of forces on either side is estimated to be as many as a Million soldiers (according to Dr. Barradas in Sewell’s Book) and considered to be one of the biggest battles in the Southern India. This was a greatest battle after Tallikota battle fought between forces of Aliya Rama Raya the defacto emperor of Vijay nagar and confederation army of Deccani sultans in 16 th century in which Rama Raya was defeated and killed owing to the betrayal of his Muslim Generals at a very crucial moment of winning the war.
In the Battle, Jagga Raya's troops could not withstand the aggression generated by the imperial forces. Yachama Naika and Raghunatha Naika , the Generals of the imperial camp led their forces with great discipline and commitmnet. They had a genuine cause and God was with them. Jagga Raya was slain by Yachama Naika on the battle field, and his army broke the ranks and took to flight. Yethiraja, the brother of Jagga Raya, had to run for his life. Muttu Virappa tried to escape but he was pursued by Yachama's General Rao Dama Nayani who captured him near Tiruchirapalli. The Nayaka of Gingee in the encounter lost all his forts except Gingee Fort and the putative son of Venkata II, cause of all trouble was captured. The victory was celebrated by the imperial armies headed by RaghunathaNayaka and Yachamanedu ( Or Yachama Naika), who planted pillars of victory and crowned Rama Deva as Rama Deva Raya, in early months of 1617. Rama Deva Raya was barely 15 years old when he ascended the throne. With this, all opposition to Sri Rama Deva was removed.
Battle of Toppur had more devastating effects on fortunes of Vijaynagar empire than the battle of Tallikota fought in 1565. After Tallikota battle, Vijay nagar empire was not destroyed. It stood ground and recouped to a great extent. It survived for another 100 years. The vassals after Toppur battle were clearly divided. Naiks of Madhura ( Madurai) and Chenji ( Jinjee) became bitter enemies of Tanjore ( Tanjavur) and Vijaynagar . They colluded with Sultans of Bijapur and Golconda from time to time and planned fall of the empire. The result was that Vijay nagar empire failed to survive for long and disintegrated within a span of 40 years after the battle during the reign of Sri Ranga III in spite of his valiant efforts. Vijaynagar empire disappeared from the scene in 1649. With this , entire South India came under the influence of Deccani sultans ( vassals of Mughals) abetted by selfish Naikas of Madhura and Chenji.