Vijayanagar — Set 5
Indian History · विजयनगर · Questions 41–50 of 60
Who founded the Vijayanagar Empire in 1336 AD?
Correct Answer: A. Harihara and Bukka
• **Harihara I and Bukka Raya I** = two brothers who founded Vijayanagar Empire in **1336 AD**. • Originally officers in the **Kampili kingdom** (not Kakatiya) — guided by saint Vidyaranya. • Capital named 'Vijayanagara' (City of Victory) — built on southern bank of Tungabhadra. • 💡 Krishnadevaraya = greatest ruler (not founder); Narasimha = Saluva ruler; Rama Raya = regent — Harihara and Bukka alone were the founders.
The ruins of the Vijayanagar capital are located on the banks of which river?
Correct Answer: B. Tungabhadra
• **Vijayanagar ruins (Hampi)** = located on **southern bank of Tungabhadra River**, Karnataka. • Tungabhadra River served as natural northern defense and water supply for the capital. • Hampi is a **UNESCO World Heritage Site** surrounded by dramatic granite boulder landscape. • 💡 Krishna = flows north of the region; Godavari = further north in Telangana/AP; Kaveri = Tamil Nadu — Vijayanagar was on Tungabhadra specifically.
The famous ruler Krishnadevaraya belonged to which dynasty?
Correct Answer: B. Tuluva
• **Krishnadevaraya** = greatest Vijayanagar emperor, belonged to **Tuluva dynasty**. • Ruled **1509–1529 AD** — called the **golden age** of the empire; also titled 'Andhra Bhoja'. • Defeated Gajapatis, captured Raichur Doab, expanded empire to its greatest extent. • 💡 Saluva = 2nd dynasty (Narasimha); Sangama = 1st dynasty (Harihara, Devaraya); Aravidu = 4th dynasty — Krishnadevaraya was from Tuluva (3rd dynasty).
Which battle in 1565 led to the downfall of the Vijayanagar Empire?
Correct Answer: A. Battle of Talikota
• **Battle of Talikota (1565)** = also known as **Rakshasa-Tangadi** — decisive defeat of Vijayanagar. • Combined Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, Bidar) vs Vijayanagar under Rama Raya. • Led to sacking and destruction of **Hampi** — ending the empire's dominance in South India. • 💡 Battle of Plassey = **1757** (British vs Nawab); Battle of Raichur = Krishnadevaraya's **1520** victory; Battle of Panipat = North India battles — Talikota is the Vijayanagar-ending battle.
Who wrote the famous Telugu work 'Amuktamalyada' on statecraft?
Correct Answer: A. Krishnadevaraya
• **Krishnadevaraya** = author of **'Amuktamalyada'** — greatest masterpiece of Telugu literature. • Describes **Ranganatha's marriage to saint Andal** (Vishnu devotee-poet); also covers statecraft. • Krishnadevaraya titled 'Andhra Bhoja' and 'Abhinava Bhoja' for his literary patronage. • 💡 Peddana = 'Manucharitam' (Telugu); Tenali Rama = 'Panduranga Mahatmyam'; Timmana = 'Parijatapaharanam' — Krishnadevaraya alone wrote 'Amuktamalyada'.
Which Persian ambassador visited the court of Devaraya II?
Correct Answer: B. Abdur Razzak
• **Abdur Razzak** = Persian ambassador sent by **Shah Rukh (Timurid)** to Devaraya II's Vijayanagar court. • Arrived in **Calicut (1443 AD)**, then journeyed to Hampi — described unparalleled city grandeur. • His travelogue details seven fortification walls, market wealth, and royal ceremonies. • 💡 Ibn Battuta = Moroccan (14th century, Delhi Sultanate era); Al-Beruni = visited Mahmud of Ghazni's era; Megasthenes = Mauryan era ambassador — Abdur Razzak visited Vijayanagar in 15th century.
The Vitthala Temple, famous for its stone chariot, is located in:
Correct Answer: D. Hampi
• **Vitthala Temple, Hampi** = most iconic monument — famous for **stone chariot and musical pillars**. • Musical pillars produce distinct musical notes when struck — a marvel of Vijayanagar craftsmanship. • Now on India's ₹50 note — stone chariot is one of India's most recognizable monuments. • 💡 Pattadakal = Chalukya monuments; Belur = Hoysala (Chennakeshava Temple); Badami = Chalukya cave temples — Vitthala Temple with stone chariot is specifically in Hampi.
The 'Varaha' was the emblem of the Vijayanagar Empire. Which animal does it depict?
Correct Answer: B. Boar
• **Varaha** = **Boar** — royal emblem of Vijayanagar, representing Vishnu's Varaha avatar (earth-rescuer). • Used on **coins (gold Varaha/Pagoda) and official seals** — symbol of divine legitimacy. • Varaha avatar connects to Vaishnava tradition dominant in Tuluva period under Krishnadevaraya. • 💡 Eagle (Garuda) = Vishnu's vehicle; Lion = Hoysala emblem; Elephant = common royal symbol elsewhere — Vijayanagar's specific emblem was the Boar (Varaha).
Which saint and scholar is credited with guiding Harihara and Bukka to found the empire?
Correct Answer: C. Vidyaranya
• **Vidyaranya** = saint-scholar who guided Harihara and Bukka to establish Vijayanagar Empire. • City initially named **'Vidyanagara'** in his honor before becoming 'Vijayanagara'. • Vidyaranya was Shankaracharya of Sringeri Math — a towering figure of Advaita philosophy. • 💡 Ramananda = North Indian Bhakti saint; Chaitanya = Bengal Vaishnava saint (later era); Vallabhacharya = Pushti Marg founder — Vidyaranya alone guided Vijayanagar's founding.
Krishnadevaraya earned the title 'Andhra Bhoja' due to his patronage of:
Correct Answer: A. Literature
• **'Andhra Bhoja'** = title of Krishnadevaraya for exceptional **patronage of literature and arts**. • Like legendary King Bhoja of Paramara dynasty, he was himself a poet — wrote 'Amuktamalyada'. • Reign (**1509**–**1529**) = golden age: Ashtadiggajas flourished, Telugu literature peaked (Prabandha era). • 💡 Music/Architecture/Warfare = also excelled in these — but 'Andhra Bhoja' title specifically refers to literary patronage matching King Bhoja's fame.