• The dynasty founded by Harihara I and Bukka I is known as Sangama dynasty after the name of their father Sangama. Harihara was successful in extending the boundaries of his little Kingdom. By 1340, he established his control over the valley of the Tungabhadra, portions of the Konkan and the Malabar coast.
• Harihara and Bukka did not assume any royal title as Ballala III of the Hoysala dynasty was still alive and he exercised sovereignty over the southern districts and the Sultan of Madura claimed authority over the south-eastern part of the Peninsula. Harihara I took part in 1344 in the confederacy organized by Krishna Nayak of Warangal to drive out the Muslims from the Deccan. When Virupaksha Ballala, the last King of the Hoysala dynasty, died fighting against the Sultan of Madura in 1346, Harihara and Bukka brought under their control the dominions of the Hoysalas. The brothers continued their career of conquest and consequently within the lifetime of Harihara I, the kingdom of Viajayanagar extended from the Krishna in the north to the neighbourhood of the Kaveri in the south and comprised the whole country situated between the eastern and western oceans.
• In 1352, Ala-ud-Din Hasan Bahman Shah attacked Vijayanagar. Harihara I had to surrender a portion of his territory to the Bahmani ruler. He divided his empire into provinces which were placed under the charge of the members of the royal family and “trustworthy viceroys”. Harihara died in about 1353 and was succeeded by his brother Bukka I.

Bukka I (1353 to 1379)

• He completed the building of the city of Vijayanagar and also added to his empire. He is described in inscriptions as the master of the Eastern, Western and Southern Oceans. He sent a mission to the Emperor of China. He fought against Muhammad Shah and Mujahid Shah of the Bahmani kingdom. As he was defeated, a large number of Hindus were massacred by the Muslims.

Harihara II (1379 to 1406 A.D.)

• Harihara took up the titles of Maharajadhiraja and Rajaparamesvara. In 1398, Bukka II, son of Harihara II, attacked the Bahmani kingdom in order to capture the Raichur Doab. However, he was opposed and defeated by Firuz Shah of the Bahmani Kingdom. A peace was made in 1399 by which Firuz was to get a heavy indemnity.

Deva Raya I (1406 to 1422)

• Harihara II was succeeded by his son Deva Raya I .In his war with the Bahmani kingdom. Deva Raya I was defeated. The next ruler was Vijaya-Bukka or Vira Vijaya. He ruled for a few months and was succeeded by Deva Raya II.

Deva Raya II (1422 to 1446)

• The greatest ruler of the Sangama dynasty was Deva Raya II. He strengthened his cavalry by recruiting trained Muslim cavalry for his army and giving archery training to his soldiers.
• But he could not win any clear victory over the Bahmani Sultans. Quarrels on account of succession and the inefficient successors encouraged the Gajapati king to dominate the coastal Andhra. Between 1460–65, the Gajapati army attacked many times and it conducted a victorious expedition even up to Tiruchirappalli on the Kaveri river, causing much destruction on the way and plundering the wealth of many temples. Taking advantage of the situation, the feudatories assumed independence.
• It was during his reign that Vijayanagar was visited by two foreigners. Nicolo Conti visited Vijayanagar about the year 1420 or 1421. Abdur Razzaq, an envoy from Persia, visited Vijayanagar in 1442 and remained there till the beginning of April, 1443. Both of them have given an interesting account of what they saw during their visit of the empire.
• Thus, Sangama dynasty became weak. Power passed on to the trusted commander Saluva Narasimha who defended the kingdom from the Gajapatis and recovered parts of coastal Andhra. Around 1485 Saluva Narasimha usurped the throne and declared himself as king, starting the short-lived Saluva dynasty.