<h4>The Genesis of Vijayanagara: A Response to Delhi's Decline</h4><p>The establishment of the <strong>Vijayanagara Empire</strong> was not an isolated event but a direct consequence of the political instability gripping the <strong>Delhi Sultanate</strong>. The weakening central authority under <strong>Muhammad bin Tughlaq</strong> created a vacuum, particularly in the southern regions of India.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p>The <strong>Vijayanagara Empire's</strong> foundation was largely a reaction to the prevailing unrest and administrative failures of the <strong>Delhi Sultanate</strong> in the <strong>Deccan</strong> region.</p></div><h4>Muhammad bin Tughlaq's Policies and Their Impact</h4><p><strong>Muhammad bin Tughlaq's</strong> reign was marked by several controversial policies that inadvertently fueled regional aspirations for independence. These policies severely strained the empire's resources and the loyalty of its subjects.</p><div class='info-box'><p><strong>Key Policies of Muhammad bin Tughlaq:</strong><ul><li><strong>Capital Shift:</strong> Attempted relocation of the capital from <strong>Delhi</strong> to <strong>Daulatabad</strong> (Devagiri).</li><li><strong>Harsh Taxation:</strong> Imposition of excessive taxes, particularly in the Doab region, leading to widespread distress.</li></ul></p></div><h4>Revolts and the Rise of Independent States</h4><p>The cumulative effect of these policies was widespread discontent and numerous revolts across the empire. The inability of the central government to effectively quell these uprisings led to the emergence of autonomous regional powers.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p>The rise of independent regional states, including the <strong>Vijayanagara Empire</strong>, was a direct outcome of the revolts triggered by <strong>Muhammad bin Tughlaq's</strong> policies and the subsequent weakening of the <strong>Delhi Sultanate's</strong> control.</p></div>