<P> Forts played an important role in medieval warfare . According to tradition, there were eight types of forts . However, Rayawachaka mentions four types of forts . They are giri (hill), stala, jala (water) and vana (forest) forts . Krishnaraya suggests that forts were mainly constructed in Gadi and border areas . Pace wrote that many forts were present in border areas . Deep forests were grown around forts . Catapults and damboli were used for fort defense . Damboli is a cannon which throws stones on enemies . To occupy forts they used lagga systems . Krishnadevaraya used them to occupy Kondaveedu fort . </P> <P> Emperor Krishna Deva Raya recruited soldiers . Tulu, Kabbali and Morasa State clan members joined in large numbers . Forest tribes including Chenchu, Koya and Boya also sent recruits . Empire training facilities improved bravery, interest in war, and body strength . According to books written in that time, the samu garidi (dance performance of knives and fire) and training gyms were both present throughout the country . Hontakaras trained the fighters . Since Vijayanagara was a multi-faith country, Muslims also joined the army . Their strength increased from the era of Deva Raya II and peaked in the time of Aliya Rama Raya, diminishing after his surprise defeat in the Battle of Talikota . </P>

Nayankara system was an important military system introduced by