Under the rule of the Vijayanagar empire, irrigation became prominent. The development of irrigation took place mainly during the rule of Deva Raya I. New tanks were built and dams were constructed across the river Tungabhadra.
Akbar, as well as his mother and other members of his family, were Sunni Hanafi Muslims. After the marriage of Akbar with Jodha Bai of Amber, he abolished the pilgrim tax. He also abolished Jiziya in 1562 CE
The Jalagariteswara temple located within the Vellore fort is regarded by Percy Brown as ‘the richest and the most beautiful structure of its kind’. It was built by the rulers of Vijaynagara kingdom.