Vijayanagar — Set 3
Indian History · विजयनगर · Questions 21–30 of 60
Who succeeded Krishnadevaraya to the throne of Vijayanagar?
Correct Answer: D. Achyuta Deva Raya
• **Achyuta Deva Raya** = younger brother of Krishnadevaraya, succeeded him in **1529**. • Reign marked by **internal power struggle** — Rama Raya dominated and sidelined him. • Fernao Nuniz visited Vijayanagar during Achyuta Deva Raya's reign (c. **1535**–37). • 💡 Sadasiva Raya = puppet king after Achyuta; Rama Raya = regent/de facto ruler; Tirumala = Aravidu founder — none directly succeeded Krishnadevaraya.
The 'Lotus Mahal' is a famous structure located within which enclosure in Hampi?
Correct Answer: D. Zenana Enclosure
• **Lotus Mahal** = located inside **Zenana Enclosure** (royal women's quarters), Hampi. • Features **lobed arches** — unique blend of Hindu and Islamic (Indo-Islamic) architecture. • One of very few structures that survived the **1565** Deccan Sultanate sacking of Hampi. • 💡 River Side = where Vitthala Temple is; Sacred Centre = where Virupaksha Temple is; Market Complex = trade area — Lotus Mahal is in Zenana Enclosure only.
Who was the founder of the Tuluva dynasty?
Correct Answer: D. Vira Narasimha
• **Vira Narasimha** = founder of Tuluva dynasty (3rd dynasty of Vijayanagar), ruled from 1505. • Son of **Tuluva Narasa Nayaka** — a powerful Saluva-era general who effectively held power. • Krishnadevaraya (greatest Vijayanagar ruler) was Vira Narasimha's younger brother. • 💡 Achyutaraya = Krishnadevaraya's successor; Krishnadevaraya = greatest Tuluva ruler; Narasa Nayaka = father, not founder — Vira Narasimha formally founded the Tuluva dynasty.
The huge stone platform used for royal ceremonies in Hampi is known as:
Correct Answer: A. Mahanavami Dibba
• **Mahanavami Dibba** = massive stone platform in Royal Centre, Hampi — used for grand ceremonies. • King watched **army march-past, elephant processions, and Mahanavami (Dasara) rituals** from here. • Carvings depict elephants, dancers, soldiers, and hunts — detailed historical record in stone. • 💡 King's Balance = a separate structure used for royal weighing ceremonies; Virupaksha Platform = part of the sacred temple zone — Mahanavami Dibba is specifically the ceremonial platform.
Who among the following was known as 'Andhra Kavita Pitamaha' (Grandfather of Telugu Poetry)?
Correct Answer: A. Allasani Peddana
• **Allasani Peddana** = titled **'Andhra Kavita Pitamaha'** (Grandfather of Telugu Poetry). • Foremost of the **Ashtadiggajas** — wrote **'Manucharitam'**, Telugu literary masterpiece. • 'Andhra Bhoja' was Krishnadevaraya's title — Peddana was his court poet, not the king. • 💡 Nannaya = earliest Telugu poet (11th century, pre-Vijayanagar); Tenali Rama = jester/poet; Tikkana = another medieval Telugu poet — Peddana alone held the 'Pitamaha' title.
Which text describes the military and administrative system of Vijayanagar as seen by a Portuguese trader?
Correct Answer: B. Chronicle of Nuniz
• **Chronicle of Nuniz** = primary European source describing Vijayanagar military and administration. • Written by **Fernao Nuniz** (Portuguese horse trader) during **1535–1537 AD** stay. • Describes Mahanavami festival, army size, market prices, and Achyuta Deva Raya's court. • 💡 Rihla = Ibn Battuta's travel account; Si-Yu-Ki = Xuanzang's Buddhist records (7th century); Akbarnama = Mughal chronicle — none are Portuguese accounts of Vijayanagar.
The Battle of Talikota was fought between Vijayanagar and the combined forces of:
Correct Answer: C. Deccan Sultanates
• **Battle of Talikota (1565)** = Vijayanagar vs combined **Deccan Sultanates** — also called Rakshasa-Tangadi. • **4 Sultanates**: Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, and Bidar formed the confederacy. • Rama Raya was captured and beheaded — Hampi was looted and destroyed soon after. • 💡 Mughals/Rajputs = north India powers; Marathas/Mysore = later powers; Portuguese/Dutch = Europeans — none fought at Talikota against Vijayanagar.
What was the primary item of import for the Vijayanagar Empire to strengthen its military?
Correct Answer: B. Horses
• **Horses** = most critical military import — high-quality breeds from Arabia and Persia via Goa. • Horses were essential for **cavalry** — a weak cavalry was Vijayanagar's strategic vulnerability. • Large portion of state revenue spent on horse trade; Portuguese controlled this supply chain. • 💡 Silk = luxury import; Gunpowder = not a primary import (they had local supplies); Elephants = domestically available in South India — horses were the critical gap.
Which traveler visited Vijayanagar shortly after the Battle of Talikota and described the ruined city?
Correct Answer: A. Caesar Frederick
• **Caesar Frederick** = Venetian merchant who visited ruined Vijayanagar in **1567**, two years post-Talikota. • Described the city as **'largely ruined and deserted'** — captured the empire's tragic end. • His account is a primary source showing the extent of destruction after **1565** sacking. • 💡 Abdur Razzak = 15th century (pre-battle, praised the city); Nicolo Conti = 15th century visitor; Domingo Paes = visited during Krishnadevaraya's golden era — none saw post-battle ruins like Caesar Frederick.
The work 'Jambavati Kalyanam' written by Krishnadevaraya was in which language?
Correct Answer: C. Sanskrit
• **'Jambavati Kalyanam'** = Sanskrit drama by Krishnadevaraya narrating **Krishna's marriage to Jambavati**. • Though celebrated for Telugu, Krishnadevaraya was equally fluent in **Sanskrit literature**. • His major Telugu work = 'Amuktamalyada'; Sanskrit work = 'Jambavati Kalyanam' — both his own. • 💡 Telugu = language of 'Amuktamalyada'; Tamil/Kannada = not the language of this work — 'Jambavati Kalyanam' was specifically Sanskrit.