In this second part of the Krishnadevaraya series, Ramjee Chandran takes us into the early years of the emperor’s reign — a period of uncertainty, risk, and revelation.
The year is 1509. The Portuguese have just defeated a powerful naval coalition off the coast of Diu, shifting the balance of power along the Indian Ocean. The Deccan sultanates are still a threat, the Gajapatis of Odisha remain undefeated in the east, and within Vijayanagara itself, no one is quite sure whether the new king — Krishnadevaraya — is ready for the crown.
But this episode tells the story of how he proved it.
We begin with a realm in flux, and a ruler still untested. Drawing on both Persian silences and Portuguese eyewitnesses, the narrative explores how Krishnadevaraya moved swiftly to establish control. A forensic audit of military resources revealed a dangerous imbalance: his feudal lords, the nayakas, had more troops than the crown. With the help of his minister Timmarasu, the king restructured the imperial army — not through war, but through statecraft.
And then came the campaigns.
Krishnadevaraya turned south to crush the rebellion in Ummattur and retake the strategic forts of Sivasamudram and Srirangapatna. These early victories, though often overshadowed by his later eastern conquests, were crucial in asserting his authority and signalling that this was no ceremonial monarch.
This episode paints a portrait of Krishnadevaraya not only as a capable general and strategist, but as a man of presence, discipline, and deep ambition. We hear of his training routines, his command on the battlefield, and his unexpected blend of physical strength and personal grace.
And at the heart of it all, we see the quiet brilliance of Timmarasu — the loyal mentor who turned a young king into a sovereign.

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The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani.

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