Vijayanagar — Set 1
Indian History · विजयनगर · Questions 1–10 of 60
Which of the following dynasties was the first to rule the Vijayanagar Empire?
Correct Answer: B. Sangama
• **Sangama dynasty** = first of four dynasties to rule Vijayanagar Empire. • **1336 AD** — founded by brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I on Tungabhadra banks. • Four dynasties in order: Sangama → Saluva → Tuluva → Aravidu. • 💡 Saluva = 2nd, Tuluva = 3rd (Krishnadevaraya's dynasty), Aravidu = last — none were first.
The conflict between the Vijayanagar Empire and the Bahmani Kingdom was primarily over which fertile region?
Correct Answer: D. Raichur Doab
• **Raichur Doab** = fertile land between Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers, fought over constantly. • **Doab** means 'two rivers' — this land gave both agricultural revenue and strategic military control. • Krishnadevaraya captured Raichur Doab from Bahmani Sultan Ismail Adil Shah in **1520**. • 💡 Kaveri Delta = Chola heartland; Malabar/Konkan coasts = trade routes — not the main conflict zone.
Which Vijayanagar ruler assumed the title of 'Gajabetekara' (the elephant hunter)?
Correct Answer: C. Devaraya II
• **Devaraya II** = greatest Sangama ruler, titled **'Gajabetekara'** (elephant hunter). • Inducted **Muslim archers and cavalry** into his army — progressive military reform. • Abdur Razzak (Persian ambassador) visited and praised Devaraya II's court and wealth. • 💡 Harihara II = founder's successor; Virupaksha II = weak ruler; Krishnadevaraya = Tuluva, not Sangama.
Who was the author of the Sanskrit work 'Madura Vijayam', which describes the conquest of Madurai?
Correct Answer: A. Gangadevi
• **Gangadevi** = wife of Kumara Kampana, wrote Sanskrit poem **'Madura Vijayam'**. • Poem describes Kumara Kampana's conquest of **Madurai Sultanate** (Mabar Sultanate). • 'Madura Vijayam' is a key historical source for early Vijayanagar expansion southward. • 💡 Hannama, Tirumalamba, Nagamamba = other women writers of the era but not authors of this work.
Who among the following Portuguese governors maintained friendly relations with Krishnadevaraya?
Correct Answer: A. Albuquerque
• **Albuquerque** = Portuguese governor who maintained friendly relations with Krishnadevaraya. • Alliance secured **horse supply** from Arabia/Persia via Portuguese ports like Goa. • Krishnadevaraya allowed Portuguese to build fort at Bhatkal in exchange for trade access. • 💡 Vasco da Gama = explorer; Nino da Cunha = later governor; Almeida = first Portuguese Viceroy — not Krishnadevaraya's ally.
What was the main language used for the administrative orders and inscriptions in the Vijayanagar Empire?
Correct Answer: A. Kannada and Telugu
• **Kannada and Telugu** = dominant languages for administration and inscriptions in Vijayanagar. • Inscriptions found in **4 languages**: Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Sanskrit — multilingual empire. • Krishnadevaraya wrote in Telugu ('Amuktamalyada') and Sanskrit ('Jambavati Kalyanam'). • 💡 Prakrit/Pali = ancient Buddhist languages; Tamil/Malayalam = partially used; Marathi/Urdu = northern languages — not dominant in administration.
The 'Amaranayaka' system in the Vijayanagar administration was similar to which earlier system?
Correct Answer: A. Iqta System
• **Amaranayaka system** = military commanders given territories to govern and tax — like Iqta. • Similarity to **Iqta System**: both grant land for military service and army maintenance. • Nayakas were the Amaranayakas — they owed military quota troops to the king annually. • 💡 Zamindari = hereditary land rights; Mansabdari = Mughal rank system; Mahalwari = British village settlement — none match Amaranayaka structure.
Who was the famous court jester and poet in the court of Krishnadevaraya?
Correct Answer: A. Tenali Ramakrishna
• **Tenali Ramakrishna** = court jester, poet, one of the **Ashtadiggajas** in Krishnadevaraya's court. • Wrote **'Panduranga Mahatmyam'** in Telugu — among his finest literary works. • Tenali Rama is also famous in folk tradition for outwitting Brahmins and solving puzzles. • 💡 Allasani Peddana = chief poet (Andhra Kavita Pitamaha); Kalidasa = ancient Sanskrit poet; Birbal = Akbar's courtier — none were Krishnadevaraya's jester.
The Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi is believed to have been built by which ruler?
Correct Answer: C. Devaraya I
• **Hazara Rama Temple** = private royal worship site attributed to **Devaraya I** (Sangama dynasty). • Famous for **intricate bas-reliefs** depicting the entire Ramayana story on its walls. • 'Hazara Rama' means 'thousand Ramas' — referring to the countless Rama carvings covering the walls. • 💡 Achyutaraya = later Tuluva ruler; Harihara I = founder; Bukka I = co-founder — none built Hazara Rama Temple.
Which traveler observed that 'The city is such that the eye has not seen nor ear heard of any place resembling it upon the whole earth'?
Correct Answer: D. Abdur Razzak
• **Abdur Razzak** = Persian ambassador who called Vijayanagar unrivaled in beauty and wealth. • Visited **Devaraya II's** court in **15th century** (1443 AD) — sent by Timurid ruler Shah Rukh. • His travelogue describes seven fortification walls around the city and its bustling markets. • 💡 Nicolo Conti = Italian (Devaraya I's era); Barbosa = Portuguese writer; Domingo Paes = visited later — none made this specific remark.