Thread by @scarysouthpaw

We have all heard of the "Navratnas" (Nine Gems) of Akbar's court. Im sure we can name a few from them as well.
But how many of us know of the AshtaDiggajas of Emperor Sri Krishna Devaraya's court at Vijayanagara?

A thread 🧵

The Vijayanagara Empire was among the greatest medieval Hindu Empires of India. Ruled by four successive dynasties- the Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu, it marked the heyday of Indian cultural renaissance. And its greatest Emperor was Tuluva Sri Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529).

Sri Krishnadevaraya was a king who never lost a battle in his career, having conquered the entire South and reaching upto the Gajapati domains of Odisha in his conquest.

No wonder he called his court "Bhuvana Vijayam" (The Conquest of the Earth)". Under his rule, the capital Vijayanagara became the world's largest city, and in the words of Domingo Paes, it was the "Best provided city in the world"

Devaraya's court patronised Telugu, Kannada and Sanskrit literature. His rule is often considered to be the golden period for Telugu literature. No wonder we refer to him as "Andhra Bhoja". He himself was a great author in the Telugu language.

Devaraya's court "Bhuvana Vijayam" had Eight great scholars, called the Ashtadiggajas (Ashta+Dik+Gajas). They were to represent the 8 elephants which hold up the earth according to Hindu mythology. This was the pinnacle of cultural and literary achievements of the age.

1. Allasani Peddana, the foremost among the eight. Considered to be "Andhra Kavita Pitamaha" (the Grandfather of Telugu poetry).
His work "Manu Charitram", a story from the Markandeya Puranam is considered a classic of Telugu literature.

2. Nandi Thimmana. Famed for his "Parijatapaharanam", (A story of the quarrel between Rukmini and Satyabhama over the Parijata flower, and Krishna's travails hence), he was known for his use of simple words. His poem describing a woman's nose earned him the name "Mukku" Thimmana

3. Dhurjati. The famed poet among the eight, he penned the Kalahasteeswara Satakam, and the Kalahasteeswara Mahatyam, in veneration of Lord Shiva worshipped at the shrine in Sri Kalahasti.

4. Pingali Surana.His "Raghava Pandaveeyam" is famous that each poem refers to Ramayana and Mahabharata simultaneously.
Kalapurnodayam (The Full Dawn of Art) is considered the best original work in Telugu employing techniques like flashbacks instead of chronological narration.

5. Ramaraju Bhushanudu. This author excelled in music and classical instruments, and the influence is clearly seen in his works, which can all be set to tune. His "HarischandraNalopakhyamu" can be read simultaneously as the story of Raja Harischandra or Raja Nala.

6. Madayyagari Mallana. Famed for his "Rajasekhara Charitramu", it speaks of the conquests of King Rajasekhara of Avanti. Considered to be a favourite of Devaraya, he often accompanied the emperor on military conquests.

7. Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu. Author of the book, Ramabhyudayam. It is considered to be an excellent example of the use of grammar and metaphors. He translated one of Devaraya's books from Sanskrit to Telugu.

8. Tenali Ramakrishnudu.The much spoken folk character came from Devaraya's court. Celebrated for his wit and quick humour, he also authored "Panduranga Mahatyam", based on an imaginary story surrounding Vithal of Pandharpur.
Now you know the real origins of Tenali Ramakrishna.

Although media has lazily rediscovered him as Tenali Raman portraying him as this quirky fun loving, problem solving minister, his real origins rest elsewhere. He is often considered to be Devaraya's best friend.

Krishnadevaraya himself was a great patron of Telugu, Sanskrit and Kannada literature. He penned the famous "Amuktamalyada", describing the wedding of Lord Vishnu as Ranganayaka and Andal, his devotee at Srirangam.

We are often oblivious to the historical happenings down south. To the Emperors, Empires, Battles and Truces. Some of India's greatest corpus of literature and literary genius has emerged from the Vijayangara Empire, under the patronage of this emperor.

As Babar rode into India, defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, Sri Krishna Deva Raya had already established Vijayanagara as the foremost empire of India. Ever imagined them as contemporaries?

This was an attempt to draw out the grandeour of Sri Krishna Devaraya and his court. This emperor is still fondly remembered by the two peoples as "Kannada Raya" and "Andhra Bhoja".

The end.