The Reddi kingdom was in disarray. Pedi Komati who had succeeded his cousin Kumaragiri Reddi in A.D. 1402 had allied himself with the Velamas in the last war. But Kataya Vema, brother-in-law of the late king, who had taken possesssion of the northern districts with Rajahmundry as his capital was driven out by Pedi Komati. Now that this war was over, Kataya Vema approached Devaraya for help.
Devaraya despatched an army and with their help Kataya Vema inflicted defeat on Pedi Komati but the arrival of the Bahmani forces under Firuz Shah changed the situation and Kataya Vema was killed in an encounter. His commander-in-chief Doddya Alia did not lose heart and with fresh reinforcements from the Raya, he held his ground firmly and also won some successes.
The war now took a different turn and the real combatants-the Bahmanis and the Rayas-came into direct clash. The Firuz Shah made a determined bid to capture the strategic fort of Pangal. The siege lasted 2 years and when reinforcement arrived from the Rayas, the Muslim forces tried to withdraw but caught between two Hindu armies, they were cut to pieces.
The Sultan saved his life with great difficulty. The entire Krishna-Tunga bhadra Doab thus passed into the hands of the Raya. Firuz Shah completely broke down and had to abdicate in favour of his brother Ahmad in September 1422.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Gujapati Bhanudeva, king of Orissa, had resented the intervention of Devaraya in the affairs of Rajahmundry which was of great strategic importance to him. To frighten the king of Rajahmundry, he invaded his kingdom. Devaraya despatched his forces in the defence of his friend and a clash looked imminent. The skilful diplomacy of Doddaya Alia, however, averted it.