The Famous Battle of Raichur
The fertile land of Raichur between Krishna River and Tungabhadra River witnessed numerous battles on its land mostly fought between the kings of Vijayanagar Empire and Muslim Kings from Gulbarga and Bijapur. Out of the many battles fought in the city, the battle of Raichur fought between King Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar Empire and King Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur marks the turning point in the history of South India.Reason for Battle in Raichur
In the year 1284 CE the famous Raichur fort was erected in Raichur by Katatiya King from Katatiyas clan. Upon the fall of Katatiyas in Raichur the city came within the control of Vijayanagar Empire. Since then the city was under dispute for two centuries. In the year 1323 CE Muslim ruler from Bahmani Sultanate captured Raichur fort this raised the anger of Saluva Narasimha Raya the then king of Vijayanagar Empire who always planned to recapture the city back from Bahmanis.

Description of Krishnadevaraya Troop
King Krishnadevaraya made a broad arrangement to attack Raichur. Krishnadevaraya arranged elaborate prayers and poojas in the temples and left the empire with his troop which includes a million warriors with 736,000 fighting men, 550 elephants and 32,600 horses. The front army included fifty thousand scouts who were used to spy the countries on their way. The sides of each scouts includes two thousand horsemen with bow and arrow.

A very popular description about King Krishnadevaraya troop by Nuniz was that the battalion of Krishnadevaraya was very well equipped and one can find everything in the troop and all varieties of food was served for the whole troop. The merchants in the troop were at work as if they were in the city. The big contingent of King Krishnadevaraya was looked like a prosperous city.
The troop on reaching Mallayyabanda town which was in alliance with Adil Shah the King ordered to pitch tent for the troop to rest and then they proceed and reached very close to Raichur fort where they pitched their camp for the battle. In the meantime King Krishnadevaraya was informed that King Adil Shah has reached the northern banks of River Krishna with his troop of fourteen thousand horses and soldiers in foot where his troop rested for few days and then they crossed River Krishna and proceeded towards Raichur which was just 9 miles away.
The Raichur Battle Engagement
The war finally commenced on 1520 CE May 19th a Saturday morning. King Krishnadevaraya troops begin to make very loud noises using war instruments on starting the battle. The loud noise was very heavy that the birds form the trees started to fell down. Krishnadevaraya ordered his front battalion to make the first strike against the Adil Shah Muslim troop which was successful and made Adil Shah’s army to go behind the trenches.Adil Shah ordered to open fire using guns which collapsed the front rank of Krishnadevaraya battalion. But Krishnadevaraya troop bounced backed with full force against the bombardment of Adil Shah. The horse battalion of Adil Shah attacked the front line of Krishnadevaraya with full force. King Krishnadevaraya was in charge of the second line of the troop. He ordered his Nayakas to battle Sultans with full strength and forced his entire battalion against Adil Shah Troop which scattered the Muslims totally. Adil Shah troop was slaughtered over Krishna River. Krishnadevaraya troop crossed River Krishna and captured the camps of Sultans.

Aftermaths of Raichur Battle
King Krishnadevaraya made a victorious entry to Raichur where the Adil Shah army was treated kindly by Krishnadevaraya and made no attempt to harm them. But he was not so kind to Bahamani generals who killed a large number of Hindus against human rights so their lands were takes away from them. Kings from other states including Muslim kings congratulated King Krishnadevaraya on his victory.Krishnadevaraya celebrated his historic victory in a very grand scale at once he returned to Vijayanagar. An ambassador from Adil Shah army was told that Adil Shah should return and kiss Krishnadevaraya on foot and beg forgiveness to get back his land but no response came back from Adil Shah side. So Krishnadevaraya marched his army towards Bijapur and occupied it. After which the King also planned a big battle on Belgaum which was under Adil Shah Regime. But he fell seriously ill and died in 1530 CE on his 45 years. King Achyuta Deva Raya succeeded King Krishnadevaraya.