Context: The first-ever epigraphical reference to the date of death of Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya has been discovered at Honnenahalli in the Tumakuru district. 

Records the demise of Krishnadevaraya 

• As per the inscription, Krishnadevaraya, one of the greatest emperors of India who ruled from the South, died on October 17, 1529, Sunday, and incidentally, this day was marked by a lunar eclipse. 
• The inscription is engraved on a slab kept on the north side of the Gopalakrishna temple at Honnenahalli in Tumakuru district and is written in Kannada. 
• The inscription also registers gift of village Honnenahalli in Tumakuru for conducting worship to the god Veeraprasanna Hanumantha of Tumakuru. 

Vijaynagar Empire 

• Vijayanagara or “city of victory” was the name of both a city and an empire. 
• The empire was founded in the fourteenth century (1336 AD) by Harihara and Bukka of Sangama dynasty. 
• They made Hampi as the capital city. In 1986, Hampi was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. 
• It stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the peninsula. 

Vijayanagar Empire was ruled by four important dynasties and they are: 

1. Sangama
2. Saluva
3. Tuluva
4. Aravidu

Krishnadevaraya (ruled 1509-29)

• Of the Tuluva dynasty was the most famous ruler of Vijayanagar. His rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation. 
• He is credited with building some fine temples and adding impressive gopurams to many important south Indian temples. 
• He also founded a suburban township near Vijayanagar called Nagalapuram after his mother. 
• He composed a work on statecraft in Telugu known as the Amuktamalyada. 

Additional Information

• The Adani Group of Companies has expressed its interest in the Krishnapatnam port, as part of its plan to expand its reach in the east coast. 
• Krishnapatnam Port is located in Nellore District in Andhra Pradesh. 
• The Port has been named so as the Vijayanagar Emperor, Sri Krishnadevaraya used to operate this port. 
• In the 1980s, the Government of India declared the Port as a ‘minor port’. 
• The Union Government is responsible for development of 12 Major Ports whereas minor ports are under the jurisdiction of respective State Governments.