The Persian ambassador Abdul Razzaq who visited Vijayanagar court has praised the empire in superlative terms. He says a rich city like Vijayanagar was seen by him for the first time. The city had seven enclosures or fortifications. The emperor had lakhs of soldiers in his army. He describes the emperor as a noble personality.
Krishna defeated the ruler of Bijapur again in 1522 A.D. and re-conquered Raichur which he had lost. He entered the forts of Gulbarga and Bidar victorious. He defeated Kasim Barid who had assumed power at Bidar. He released the young Bahmani prince whom Kasim Barid had imprisoned and installed the prince on the throne.
Krishnadevaraya was not only a valiant warrior, but also an able administrator. His knowledge on details of administration is clearly seen in his Telugu poem `Amuktamalyada’. He extended patronage to all religious cults. He also expanded irrigation and helped to improve agriculture. His friendship with the Portuguese helped him to expand overseas trade. He removed the tax on marriage.
His patronage to literature was substantial. His court had great Telugu poets called Ashta Diggajas (who were eight in number) the emperor himself composed `Amuktamalyada’ in Telugu and a Sanskrit play `Jambavathi Kalyana.’ Of the Telugu poets in his court, Allasani Peddana, Mukku Thimmana, and Tenali Ramakrishna are famous. Timmanakavi composed `Bharata’ in Kannada. The emperor built the Krishna Swami temple at the capital city and added a vast Kalyana Mantapa and tower (Gopura) to the ancient Virupaksha temple at Hampi. The Portuguese traveler Barabosa testifies the people of all religions enjoyed freedom in his realm.