Harihara I, along with his brother Bukka I, founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336. The capital city, Vijayanagara (Hampi), was established on the south bank of the Tungabhadra River, which is a major tributary of the Krishna River. The rulers of the Sangama dynasty, starting with Harihara I, claimed to rule as the agents of the deity Virupaksha (a form of Lord Shiva), who was the guardian deity of the kingdom. They believed that the land south of the Krishna River belonged to the deity, and they ruled it on His behalf. To signify this divine authority, royal orders were traditionally signed in the name of 'Shri Virupaksha' in the Kannada script.