Vijayanagar — Set 4
Indian History · विजयनगर · Questions 31–40 of 60
Which Italian traveler visited Vijayanagar during the reign of Devaraya I?
Correct Answer: D. Nicolo Conti
• **Nicolo Conti** = Italian merchant who visited Vijayanagar c. **1420 AD** during **Devaraya I's** reign. • One of the earliest Europeans to give a comprehensive account of Vijayanagar's festivals and court. • Conti traveled across India and Southeast Asia — his account was compiled by Poggio Bracciolini. • 💡 Manucci = 17th century Mughal-era traveler; Marco Polo = 13th century (pre-Vijayanagar); Varthema = 16th century — Nicolo Conti visited earliest, during Devaraya I.
The administrative unit 'Mandalam' in the Vijayanagar Empire referred to a:
Correct Answer: A. Province
• **Mandalam** = large **province** (also called Rajya) — the highest administrative unit in Vijayanagar. • Each Mandalam governed by a **Nayaka** (governor) who paid tribute and maintained troops. • Hierarchy: Mandalam → Nadu → Sthala → Grama (village) — four-tier administrative system. • 💡 Village = Grama (smallest unit); District = Nadu or Sthala (mid-levels); Fort = military structure — Mandalam was specifically the province-level unit.
Who was the de facto ruler and minister who led the Vijayanagar army at Talikota?
Correct Answer: A. Rama Raya
• **Rama Raya** = de facto ruler and regent behind puppet king Sadasiva Raya at Battle of Talikota. • His **interference in Deccan Sultanate politics** united Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, Bidar against him. • Captured and **beheaded** on the battlefield — his death triggered the army's collapse. • 💡 Sriranga/Venkat II = later Aravidu rulers; Tirumala = Aravidu dynasty founder who escaped Talikota — Rama Raya alone led the army and was killed.
The Virupaksha Temple at Hampi is dedicated to which deity?
Correct Answer: C. Shiva
• **Virupaksha Temple** = dedicated to **Lord Shiva** (Virupaksha form) — Hampi's oldest active temple. • Predates Vijayanagar Empire but massively expanded by Sangama and later rulers. • Virupaksha was the **family deity** of Sangama rulers — still actively used by devotees today. • 💡 Vishnu = deity of Vitthala Temple; Brahma = rarely has dedicated temples; Ganesha = many shrines but Virupaksha Temple is specifically Shiva's.
Which Vijayanagar ruler is credited with building a dam across the Tungabhadra river to create a canal for the capital?
Correct Answer: D. Devaraya I
• **Devaraya I** = built dam across **Tungabhadra River** to bring canal water into Vijayanagar capital. • Solved city's **water shortage** and promoted agriculture around the capital region. • This was a major engineering achievement — showed early Vijayanagar rulers' administrative vision. • 💡 Narasimha I = Saluva ruler; Harihara II = Sangama ruler; Virupaksha I = early Sangama king — Devaraya I specifically built the Tungabhadra dam and canal.
The 'Ashtadiggajas' were a group of eight great poets in the court of:
Correct Answer: B. Krishnadevaraya
• **Ashtadiggajas** = eight great Telugu poets in **Krishnadevaraya's** court — 'eight elephants of literature'. • Their era is the **golden age of Telugu literature** — called the **'Prabandha period'**. • Led by Allasani Peddana; others include Nandi Timmana, Dhurjati, Pingali Surana. • 💡 Devaraya II/Achyutaraya/Harihara I = other Vijayanagar rulers — the Ashtadiggajas belonged to Krishnadevaraya's court specifically.
Duarte Barbosa, who described the Vijayanagar city in detail, was from which country?
Correct Answer: C. Portugal
• **Duarte Barbosa** = **Portuguese** writer-officer who visited Vijayanagar in early 16th century. • Wrote detailed accounts of **social customs, trade, and the city's grandeur** under Krishnadevaraya. • His work 'Livro de Duarte Barbosa' is a key source for Vijayanagar's social and economic life. • 💡 Italy = Nicolo Conti's nationality; Spain = no major Vijayanagar traveler; France = no famous Vijayanagar chronicler — Barbosa was Portuguese.
The Vijayanagar Empire was established in which century?
Correct Answer: B. 14th Century
• **Vijayanagar Empire** established in **1336 AD** = 14th century (1301–1400 AD range). • Founded by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I on the banks of Tungabhadra at Hampi. • The empire lasted over **230 years** (1336–1565) until the Battle of Talikota. • 💡 13th century = 1201–1300 (pre-Vijayanagar); 16th century = **1501**–**1600** (empire was already old by then); 15th century = **1401**–**1500** — 1336 falls in 14th century.
What was the main religion patronized by the early Sangama rulers?
Correct Answer: B. Shaivism
• **Sangama rulers** = primarily **Shaivites** — Lord Virupaksha of Hampi was their family deity. • Later **Tuluva dynasty** (Krishnadevaraya) shifted to Vaishnavism — Varaha emblem reflects this. • Despite religious preference, Vijayanagar rulers showed tolerance for Jainism and Islam. • 💡 Buddhism = not patronized by Sangama; Jainism = tolerated but not main religion; Vaishnavism = later Tuluva preference — Shaivism was Sangama's primary faith.
The 'Rayagopuram' or royal gateway is a characteristic feature of temples built by:
Correct Answer: D. Vijayanagar Rulers
• **Rayagopuram** = massive royal gateway tower — hallmark feature of **Vijayanagar temple architecture**. • Krishnadevaraya added Rayagopurams to many ancient South Indian temples like Tirupati and Chidambaram. • These towers served as imposing landmarks visible from great distances around temple complexes. • 💡 Pallavas = pioneers of Dravidian style (smaller gopurams); Pandyas = expanded gopuram style; Cholas = famous for Brihadeeshwara but not Rayagopurams — Vijayanagar rulers built the grandest gopurams.