Muhammad Shah died on 21st April A.D. 1375,[55] and was succeeded
by his son Mujahid, then nineteen years old. Shortly after his
accession Mujahid wrote to Bukka Raya (still called "Kishen Roy"
by Firishtah[56]), "that as some forts and districts between the
Kistnah and Tummedra (Tungabhadra) rivers were held by them in
participation, which occasioned constant disagreements, he must for
the future limit his confines to the Tummedra, and give up all on
the eastern side to him, with the fort of Beekapore and some other
places." This "Beekapore" is the important fortress of Bankapur,
south of Dharwar. The Dakhani sovereigns always looked on it with
covetous eyes, as it lay on the direct route from Vijayanagar to the
sea, and its possession would paralyse Hindu trade.

The Raya replied by a counter-demand that the Sultan should evacuate
the whole of the Doab, since Raichur and Mudkal had always belonged
to the Anegundi family. Bukka declared the Krishna river to be the
true boundary, and asked that the elephants taken by Sultan Muhammad
should be restored.

The Sultan's answer was a declaration of war. He advanced in person,
crossed both the rivers, and arrived before Adoni. On hearing that the
Raya was encamped on the bank of the Tungabhadra, he left one force
to besiege the fortress, sent another to advance towards Vijayanagar,
and himself marched, probably in a north-westerly direction, towards
the river, "by slow marches and with great caution." The Hindu prince
at first prepared to receive his attack, but for some reason[57]
lost heart and retired to the forests on the hills of Sandur, south
of his capital.