An Imperial Capital

Vijayanagara

(c. fourteenth to sixteenth

century)
Here is a clear, pointwise explanation of the paragraph you
provided, in easy English, covering every detail:

Vijayanagara – City and Empire

1. Meaning of Vijayanagara:

o The word Vijayanagara means "city of victory".

o It refers to both a city and an empire in South India.

2. When was it founded?

o The empire was started in the 14th century (1300s).

3. Extent of the Empire:

o At its strongest point (heyday), it stretched:

▪ From the Krishna River in the north

▪ To the extreme southern tip of the Indian

peninsula.

4. Destruction of the City:

 o In 1565, the city was attacked (sacked) and later
abandoned (deserted).

5. What happened later?

o By the 17th and 18th centuries, the city was in

complete ruins.

6. Legacy – Still Remembered:

o Even though the city was destroyed, people living

between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers
(doab) remembered it.

7. Hampi – The Local Name:

o Locals remembered the city as Hampi.

o This name comes from the local goddess

Pampadevi.

8. Rediscovery of Vijayanagara:

o Scholars later rediscovered the empire through:

▪ Oral traditions (stories passed down by locals)

▪ Archaeological discoveries (like ruins)

▪ Old monuments

▪ Inscriptions and written records

Here is a complete explanation of the passage titled "1. The
Discovery of Hampi" in pointwise format and easy English,
including a detailed answer to the question at the end.

1. The Discovery of Hampi – Explained Simply

Who Discovered the Ruins of Hampi?

1. Colonel Colin Mackenzie:

o He was an engineer and antiquarian (someone who

studies ancient things).

o He worked for the English East India Company.

2. Year of Discovery:

o In the year 1800, Mackenzie brought the ruins of

Hampi to light (discovered and surveyed them).

3. What Did Mackenzie Do?

o He made the first map (survey) of the Hampi site.

o He gathered information from local temple priests:

▪ Priests of Virupaksha temple

▪ Shrine of Pampadevi (local goddess)

Later Efforts in Discovery

4. Photography:

o From 1856, photographers started recording the

monuments of Hampi.

o These photographs helped scholars study the

architecture and ruins.

5. Epigraphists (inscription experts):

o From as early as 1836, experts began collecting

inscriptions (stone writings) from Hampi’s temples.

Reconstruction of History

6. How Historians Reconstructed Vijayanagara’s History:

Historians used multiple sources:

o Oral traditions from locals

o Monuments and inscriptions

o Accounts by foreign travellers

o Old literature written in:

▪ Telugu

▪ Kannada

▪ Tamil

▪ Sanskrit
 Who Was Colin Mackenzie?

1. Birth and Career:

o Born in 1754.

o Famous for being an engineer, surveyor, and

cartographer (map-maker).

2. Important Post:

o In 1815, he became India’s first Surveyor General.

o He held this post until his death in 1821.

3. Why Did He Collect Local History?

o To better understand Indian society and history.

o To make British governance of India easier.

o He believed studying Indian kingdoms would help

the British rule efficiently.

4. His Views on Indian Rule Before British:

o He said India "struggled long under bad

management" before British rule.

o He felt British rule was "benign" (kind and helpful).

5. Why He Studied Vijayanagara:

o He believed the East India Company could learn

important things about Indian laws, customs, and
 institutions by studying past empires like
Vijayanagara.

Question Answered:

Q: How has the artist portrayed Mackenzie and his

indigenous informers? What ideas about him and his
informants are sought to be impressed upon the viewers?

Answer in Simple Points:

1. Mackenzie is shown as the central figure:

o Likely drawn in European attire, standing or sitting

confidently.

o This highlights his superiority and leadership in the

discovery process.

2. Indigenous informers are shown respectfully but

lower:

o They are likely shown as locals (priests or scholars),

sitting around him or guiding him.

o They are represented as sources of knowledge but

not equal in status to Mackenzie.

3. Message being given:

o The image tries to show that:

 ▪ Mackenzie is the main person collecting
knowledge.

▪ Locals are helpers or informants, not historians

themselves.

o It reflects the colonial mindset that:

▪ British scholars were the discoverers of Indian

history.

▪ Indian people had knowledge but not the skills

to preserve or study it scientifically.

4. Colonial Attitude Reflected:

o The British thought they were saving or organizing

India’s history.

o This shows how they used Indian knowledge but took

the credit for documenting it.

Here’s a complete, pointwise explanation in simple English

for the entire section “2. Rayas, Nayakas and Sultans”,
including keyword meanings and answers to the in-text
questions. I've broken it down section by section to make it very
easy to revise.

2. Rayas, Nayakas and Sultans

 Founding of the Vijayanagara Empire

1. Founders: Two brothers Harihara and Bukka founded the

Vijayanagara Empire in 1336 (according to inscriptions
and traditions).

2. The empire had people with different languages and

religions.

3. It was a multi-cultural and multi-lingual empire.

4. Northern Rivals: Vijayanagara kings competed with:

o Deccan Sultans (Muslim rulers in the Deccan)

o Gajapati rulers of Orissa (powerful kings in Odisha)

o They all wanted to control fertile river valleys and

rich trade routes.

Cultural Interaction

5. Interaction between Vijayanagara and its rivals led to

exchange of ideas, especially in architecture.

6. Vijayanagara rulers borrowed and improved building

styles from others.

Contemporary Name of the Empire

7. Though we call it Vijayanagara Empire, people at that time
called it Karnataka Samrajyamu (Empire of Karnataka).

8. Earlier powerful states like Cholas (Tamil Nadu) and

Hoysalas (Karnataka) existed in these regions.

9. These rulers had built grand temples like:

o Brihadishvara Temple at Thanjavur

o Chennakeshava Temple at Belur

10. Vijayanagara rayas (kings) continued these temple-

building traditions and made them even bigger.

2.1 Kings and Traders

Horse Trade and Military

1. During this time, cavalry (horse-based army) was very

important.

2. Horses were imported from Arabia and Central Asia.

3. Arab traders mainly handled this trade.

4. Kudirai chettis (horse merchants – kudirai means horse in

Tamil) were local Indian traders involved in this.

5. In 1498, the Portuguese arrived and tried to:

o Control trade
 o Set up military bases

6. Portuguese had superior weapons, especially muskets

(early guns), which made them powerful.

Wealth from Trade

7. Vijayanagara had famous markets for:

o Spices

o Textiles

o Jewels and precious stones

8. Trade brought status and wealth to the city.

9. Revenue (income) from trade helped the state grow

stronger.

2.2 Apogee (peak) and Decline of the Empire

Dynasties and Power Changes

1. Several dynasties ruled Vijayanagara:

o Sangama dynasty (till 1485)

o Saluva dynasty (1485–1503)

o Tuluva dynasty (from 1503 onwards)

2. Krishnadeva Raya, the most famous ruler, belonged to the
Tuluva dynasty.

Krishnadeva Raya’s Achievements

3. He ruled from 1509 to 1529.

4. His reign was marked by expansion and prosperity:

o 1512: Captured Raichur doab (between Krishna and

Tungabhadra rivers)

o 1514: Defeated rulers of Orissa

o 1520: Defeated Bijapur Sultan

5. He built beautiful temples and added grand gopurams

(temple towers).

6. He founded a new township called Nagalapuram, named

after his mother.

7. His period is well-documented by travelers and literature.

After His Death

8. After 1529, his successors faced:

o Rebellions by Nayakas (military chiefs)

o Internal power struggles

9. In 1542, a new dynasty Aravidu came to power.

 Fall of Vijayanagara – Battle of Talikota (Rakshasi-
Tangadi)

10. In 1565, Rama Raya (chief minister) fought the

Deccan Sultanates:

o Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda joined together

o Vijayanagara army was defeated

o City was looted and destroyed

11. The capital shifted to:

o Penukonda

o Later to Chandragiri (near Tirupati)

Not Always Enemies

12. Despite religious differences, Sultans and Rayas

were not always enemies.

13. Examples:

o Krishnadeva Raya helped some Sultanate claimants

o Bijapur Sultan intervened in Vijayanagara

succession

14. Problem: Rama Raya’s clever manipulation of

Sultans made them unite and destroy him.
 2.3 The Rayas and the Nayakas

Who Were Nayakas?

1. Nayakas = military chiefs under Vijayanagara kings.

2. They controlled forts, had their own armies, and

sometimes moved with peasants.

3. Spoke mostly Telugu or Kannada.

4. Some were loyal, but others rebelled and had to be

controlled.

Amara-Nayaka System

5. A unique system where:

o Amara (meaning battle, also like Persian amir – noble)

o Nayakas were given land by the king (called

amaram)

o They collected taxes and maintained soldiers and

elephants

6. They used revenue for:

o Their own expenses

o Maintaining troops
 o Temple and irrigation support

7. Nayakas had to:

o Pay tribute to king every year

o Visit the court with gifts

8. Kings maintained control by transferring them to new

areas

9. By the 17th century, many nayakas became independent

rulers, weakening the empire.

Keywords:

• Gajapati – Lord of Elephants (title of rulers in Orissa)

• Ashvapati – Lord of Horses (used for Deccan Sultans)

• Narapati – Lord of Men (used for Vijayanagara Rayas)

• Yavana – Sanskrit word for foreigners, often Greeks or

people from the northwest

• Amara – From Sanskrit samara (war), also resembles amir

(noble)

Quote from Krishnadeva Raya (from his book

Amuktamalyada)

• He advised that kings should:

 o Improve harbours

o Welcome foreign merchants

o Help them during storms or sickness

o Give them profits and gifts

o So that valuable goods come to your kingdom, not

your enemy’s

In-text Question Answer:

Q: Why do you think the king was interested in encouraging

trade? Which groups of people would have benefited from
these transactions?

Answer:

1. Reasons King Encouraged Trade:

o Trade brought wealth and revenue to the kingdom.

o It helped in importing war animals like horses and

elephants.

o Promoted prosperity and increased prestige of the

empire.

o Prevented enemies from getting valuable goods.

2. Who Benefited?

o Merchants (local and foreign)

 o Craftspeople who made items for trade

o Nayakas and officials who got revenue

o King and royal court through wealth and luxury

goods

o Temples and common people through temple grants

and economic growth

Activity (Discussion Question)

Locate Chandragiri, Madurai, Ikkeri, Thanjavur and Mysore.

Discuss the ways in which rivers and hills may have helped
or blocked communication with Vijayanagara.

Suggested Answer:

• Rivers: Helped in transport and trade, connected regions

quickly.

• Hills and mountains:

o Sometimes blocked easy movement

o But also provided protection from invasion

• Chandragiri and Thanjavur had easier access via rivers.

• Ikkeri and Mysore had hill terrains—harder to travel, but

easier to defend.

• This mix of geography affected how tightly the empire

could control its regions.
Here is a complete, pointwise explanation in simple English
for Section 3: Vijayanagara – The Capital and Its Environs,
including all keywords, observations, and answers to in-text
questions. Everything is covered section by section to make
it easy for revision.

3. Vijayanagara: The Capital and Its Environs

3.1 Water Resources

1. Location Advantage:

o The city was built in a natural basin formed by the

Tungabhadra River.

o The landscape had granite hills forming a kind of

circle or boundary around the city.

2. Streams and Water Collection:

o Many streams from the hills flowed into the river.

o People built embankments (walls) along these

streams to create water reservoirs of different sizes.

3. Dry Area – Need for Rainwater Storage:

o This area is dry (arid), so people made special

arrangements to store rainwater.
 o Example: Kamalapuram Tank (built in early 15th
century) was used for:

▪ Irrigating nearby fields

▪ Supplying water to the royal centre through a

canal

4. Hiriya Canal:

o It was built by Sangama kings.

o It brought water from the Tungabhadra dam and

irrigated land between the sacred centre and urban
core.

3.2 Fortifications and Roads

Fortification

5. Impressive Fort Walls:

o Abdur Razzaq (Persian ambassador) noted there were

7 lines of fortifications.

o These walls enclosed not just the city, but also:

▪ Forests

▪ Agricultural lands

o The outer wall followed the natural hills.

6. Wall Construction:
 o No cement/mortar was used.

o Stones were wedge-shaped so they stayed in place.

o The inside was filled with earth and rubble.

o Bastions (projecting defense towers) were built at

intervals.

Why Protect Agriculture?

7. Siege Strategy:

o In medieval wars, enemies tried to starve a city by

surrounding it for months or years.

o Normally, rulers stored grains in granaries inside the

fort.

o But Vijayanagara protected entire farmlands by

including agricultural land inside fort walls.

In-text Question Answer:

Why do you think agricultural tracts were incorporated

within the fortified area?

So that food could still be grown even during a siege.

This avoided dependence on stored grain.
It allowed people to resist long sieges without starving.

Inner Forts

8. The second wall protected the urban core.

9. The third wall protected the royal centre, and even inside
that:

o Each important building had its own high walls.

Gateways & Architecture

10. Gates were well-guarded and connected the city to

major roads.

11. Gateway features:

o Arched entrances

o Domes

o Influenced by Turkish Sultans' architecture

o Known as Indo-Islamic style (fusion of Indian and

Islamic elements)

Roads

12. Archaeologists studied city roads by:

o Tracing paths through gates

o Finding stone pavements

13. Roads:

o Avoided rocky hills

o Connected temples to bazaars (markets)

3.3 The Urban Core

 1. Not much remains of common people’s houses.

2. Some areas (especially northeast of the core) had:

o Chinese porcelain (used by rich people)

o Likely home to wealthy traders

o Also had the Muslim residential quarter.

3. Tombs and mosques in this area looked similar to

mandapas (pillared halls in temples), showing local
influence.

4. Duarte Barbosa’s description of common houses:

o Thatched huts

o Well-planned streets

o Grouped based on occupation

5. Wells, rainwater tanks, and temple tanks were used as

water sources for ordinary people.

In-text Map Activity:

Identify three major zones on the plan. Can you see

channels connecting up with the river? How many
fortification walls? Was the sacred centre fortified?

Three major zones:

• Sacred Centre (temples and religious places)

 • Urban Core (residential and market area)

• Royal Centre (palaces and administrative zone)

Yes, channels from the river connected to tanks (like

Kamalapuram Tank) and canals (Hiriya Canal).

There were at least three walls (outer, urban, and royal

fortifications).

No, the sacred centre was not heavily fortified like the
royal centre.

Finding Out About the City

1. Many inscriptions from kings and nayakas have been

found.

o Record temple donations and important events.

2. Foreign travellers who wrote about the city:

o Nicolo de Conti – Italian trader (15th century)

o Abdur Razzaq – Persian ambassador (15th century)

o Afanasii Nikitin – Russian merchant (15th century)

o Duarte Barbosa, Domingo Paes, Fernao Nuniz –

Portuguese travellers (16th century)

A Sprawling City – Domingo Paes' Description

“Vijayanagara is as large as Rome… full of trees, water
channels, and lakes… even fruit gardens near the king’s
palace.”

In-text Question Answer:

Would you find these features in a city today? Why do you

think gardens and water bodies were specially mentioned?

Yes, some modern cities have parks and lakes, but not as
widespread.

Gardens and water were signs of:

• Wealth

• Peace and prosperity

• Planning and luxury

They impressed visitors because they were not common in all

cities.

How Tanks Were Built – Domingo Paes

1. Krishnadeva Raya built a huge tank (water reservoir):

o Located between two hills

o Collected water from hills and a lake 15 km away

through pipes

2. Tank used for:

 o Irrigating gardens and rice fields

o Pipes were connected to pillars with carvings

3. Paes saw 15,000–20,000 people working on it!

Shows the engineering skill and massive labour used.

In-text Questions:

Describe the similarities and differences between these two

entrances. Why do you think the rulers of Vijayanagara
adopted elements of Indo-Islamic architecture?

Similarities: Both entrances are large, decorative, and

made with arches.

Differences: Indo-Islamic ones have domes, arches, and

more rounded elements.

Reason for Indo-Islamic features:

• Vijayanagara was in contact with Sultans of Deccan.

• Borrowing styles made the empire look grand and

inclusive.

• Indo-Islamic style was fashionable and modern at that

time.
What kinds of vessels do you think these shards were
originally parts of?

Likely parts of:

• Porcelain bowls

• Cups

• Plates used by rich traders or royalty

Does the mosque have the typical features of Indo-Islamic

architecture?

Yes:

• Arches

• Domes

• Courtyards
These are common in Indo-Islamic mosques.

Here is a complete pointwise explanation of Section 4: The

Royal Centre from the Vijayanagara chapter in simple
English, covering every subsection, key term, and in-text
question clearly.

4. The Royal Centre – Explained in Easy English

 General Overview

1. Location:

o The Royal Centre was in the south-west part of

Vijayanagara.

2. Temples in the Royal Centre:

o Even though it was a royal area, it had over 60

temples.

o Shows that kings used temples to connect with

gods, to gain legitimacy and prove their divine right
to rule.

3. Palace Structures:

o Around 30 building complexes have been identified

as palaces.

o These were large, but not used for religious rituals.

4. Difference from Temples:

o Temples: Made entirely of stone and masonry.

o Secular Buildings (like palaces): Upper parts made

with perishable materials (like wood or cloth), so they
haven’t survived well.

4.1 The Mahanavami Dibba (Massive Royal Platform)

 King’s Palace Complex

5. The “king’s palace” area is the largest enclosure.

o Includes two major platforms:

▪ Audience Hall

▪ Mahanavami Dibba

o Surrounded by high double walls, with a street in

between.

Audience Hall

6. A high platform with slots for wooden pillars.

7. A staircase led to a second floor.

8. Pillars were very close together, leaving less open space

— so the hall’s function remains unclear.

Mahanavami Dibba (Great Ninth Day Platform)

9. Located on one of the highest points of the city.

10. Base area: 11,000 square feet | Height: 40 feet.

11. Likely supported a wooden structure on top.

12. Base is beautifully carved with relief sculptures.

Mahanavami Festival (Navaratri/Dussehra)

13. Celebrated in September–October.

14. Display of royal power and prestige.

 15. Rituals performed:

• Worship of gods, state horse

• Animal sacrifices (buffaloes, etc.)

• Dances, wrestling, military parades of:

o Decorated horses

o Elephants

o Chariots

o Soldiers

• Gifts and tributes brought by nayakas and subordinate

kings

16. Last day: Grand army inspection by the king.

In-text Question

Was the mahanavami dibba the centre of the rituals?

Scholars are not sure:

• Space around the platform is too small for huge

processions and military parades.

• Like other royal structures, its exact purpose is

mysterious.
 4.2 Other Buildings in the Royal Centre

Lotus Mahal

17. Called "Lotus Mahal" by the British in the 1800s

(because of its flower-like design).

18. Purpose is unclear.

• May have been a council chamber (meeting hall), as

shown in Colin Mackenzie’s map.

Hazara Rama Temple

19. Located inside the royal centre.

20. Likely used only by the royal family.

21. Central shrine lost its images, but:

• Walls are covered with carved panels

• These panels show scenes from the Ramayana.

Sacking of the City

22. Many structures were damaged or destroyed when

Vijayanagara was attacked in 1565 (Battle of Talikota).

Nayakas Continued Royal Building Traditions

23. Even after the fall, nayakas (military chiefs)

continued to build palaces and temples in a similar style.
 24. Many of these still survive today.

From Traveller Domingo Paes: “House of Victory”

He described the Audience Hall and Mahanavami Dibba as a

“House of Victory”:

• Two beautiful platforms, one above another

• Upper platform had:

o A room made of cloth

o A shrine with the idol

o A royal throne with crown and anklet

In-text Questions Answered

Can you identify scenes of dancing? Why do you think

elephants and horses were depicted on the panels?

Yes, the sculptures show dancing scenes and

processions.

Elephants and horses were symbols of:

• Royal strength

• Wealth

• Military power
 • Their images on the panels symbolized prestige and
authority of the king.

Why did the nayakas continue with the building traditions

of Vijayanagara rulers?

Possible reasons:

• To show they were the rightful heirs of Vijayanagara

culture.

• To legitimize their authority by linking themselves with a

glorious past.

• To display wealth, power, and devotion like the former

kings.

• To maintain cultural unity in their regions.

Let me know if you want this section in the form of a cinematic

scene, memory flashcards, or revision chart like a UPSC
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Here is a pointwise and easy explanation of Section 5: The

Sacred Centre of Vijayanagara. Every paragraph, idea,
keyword, and in-text question is covered clearly, fully, and
without missing anything.
 5. The Sacred Centre — Explained in Simple English

5.1 Choosing a Capital

Geographical and Mythological Importance

1. Sacred Location:

o Located on the northern rocky hills beside the

Tungabhadra River.

o Local tradition: The hills were once home to Vali and

Sugriva (from Ramayana).

o Pampadevi, a local goddess, is believed to have

performed penance here to marry Virupaksha (a form
of Shiva and guardian deity of Vijayanagara).

2. Religious Diversity:

o Even before Vijayanagara, the area had Jaina

temples.

o Hence, the area had a long tradition of sacredness

for multiple religions.

Temples and Political Power

3. Old Temple Traditions:

 o Dynasties like the Pallavas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas,
and Cholas built temples here for centuries.

4. Temple Functions:

o Religious: Place of worship.

o Social/Cultural: Centres of learning and community

life.

o Economic: Received land grants, resources, and

supported artisans and workers.

5. Political Importance:

o Temples helped rulers associate themselves with

gods, showing they were chosen by divine powers.

o Constructing and maintaining temples was a way to

earn support, show wealth, and prove piety
(religious devotion).

6. Reason for Choosing the Site:

o The presence of Virupaksha and Pampadevi’s

shrines likely inspired kings to make this their capital.

Ritual Power of the King

7. Divine Right to Rule:

o Vijayanagara rulers claimed they ruled on behalf of

god Virupaksha.
 o All royal orders were signed with “Shri Virupaksha”
in Kannada script.

8. Title "Hindu Suratrana":

o Meaning: "Hindu Sultan"

o This was a Sanskritised form of the Arabic word

Sultan (king).

o It helped combine Hindu identity with royal

authority.

9. Innovations:

o Royal portraits were displayed inside temples.

o When the king visited temples, it became a state

event. Nayakas (military chiefs) also accompanied
him.

Discuss: Why did Vijayanagara rulers adopt earlier

traditions?
To:

• Show connection with divine traditions.

• Win people's loyalty by continuing respected customs.

• Establish cultural unity in a diverse empire.

5.2 Gopurams (Gateways) and Mandapas (Halls)

 New Features of Temple Architecture

10. Large-scale constructions showed imperial power.

11. The most impressive were the raya gopurams (royal

gateways):

• Tall gateways that towered over the main temple shrine.

• Visible from far away — a symbol of king’s power.

• Showed ability to control resources, labour, and artisans.

12. Other new features:

• Mandapas: Large pillared halls/pavilions.

• Corridors: Long walkways around the main shrine inside

temple complexes.

The Virupaksha Temple

13. Located in the Sacred Centre.

14. Built over several centuries:

• First shrine: 9th–10th century.

• Major expansion: during Vijayanagara Empire.

15. Krishnadeva Raya’s Contributions:

• Built a hall in front of the main shrine (when he became

king).

• Decorated with finely carved pillars.

• Built the eastern gopuram (main gateway).

16. Complex Layout:

• The central shrine became small compared to the later

additions.

• Different halls had different purposes:

o Music and dance programs.

o Marriage ceremonies of gods.

o Swinging ceremonies for deities.

17. Special images (not the main one) were used in these
public events.

The Vitthala Temple

18. Dedicated to Vitthala, a form of Vishnu usually

worshipped in Maharashtra.

19. Its presence in Karnataka shows how Vijayanagara

absorbed multiple traditions into a shared imperial
culture.

20. Features:

• Multiple mandapas (halls).

• A stone chariot-shaped shrine (very famous!).

21. Chariot Streets:

 • Straight, wide streets running out of the temple gopuram.

• Stone-paved, lined with pillared pavilions.

• Used by merchants to set up shops and stalls.

Role of Nayakas in Temple Architecture

22. Just like they helped build forts, nayakas continued

the temple traditions.

23. Many spectacular gopurams were constructed by

these local chiefs, especially after the fall of the empire.

Do you think chariots would have actually been built like

this?
No, the stone chariot was symbolic. Real chariots were
wooden and movable.

• This shrine was built like a chariot for ritual symbolism, not
for actual use.

Key Terms & Meanings

• Sacred Centre: The religious heart of Vijayanagara city.

• Virupaksha: A form of Shiva, guardian deity of the empire.

 • Pampadevi: Local goddess, believed to be Virupaksha’s
consort.

• Gopuram: A tall temple gateway.

• Mandapa: A pillared hall in a temple.

• Vitthala: A form of Lord Vishnu, mainly worshipped in

Maharashtra.

• Chariot Street: A long street extending from the temple for

processions and trade.

• Hindu Suratrana: "Hindu Sultan" – a title used by kings to

show power.

• Nayakas: Military chiefs who controlled regions under the

king.

Let me know if you want a summary chart, flashcards, or to

turn this into a cinematic explanation for memory!

Here is a clear, pointwise, and simple English explanation

of:

6. Plotting Palaces, Temples, and Bazaars

(Everything is covered – text, keywords, questions, and visuals)

How We Know So Much About Vijayanagara

1. Where did the information come from?

 o Started with surveys by Colin Mackenzie in the early
1800s.

o Then included:

▪ Travellers’ accounts (like Paes, Barbosa,

Nuniz).

▪ Inscriptions from temples and monuments.

▪ Photographs and sketches (from the 19th and

20th centuries).

2. Government Involvement:

o Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Karnataka's

Department of Archaeology helped preserve the site.

o In 1976, Hampi (Vijayanagara) was declared a site of

national importance.

3. Big Documentation Project (1980s onward):

o Dozens of scholars from all over the world joined

the project.

o Aim: Document and preserve material remains like:

▪ Temples

▪ Palaces

▪ Roads

▪ Bazaars

▪ Shrines
 ▪ Homes

How Mapping Was Done

4. The region was divided in a grid-like system:

o First divided into 25 large squares, each named with

a letter of the alphabet (likely A to Z, except I, which
is usually skipped to avoid confusion with number 1).

o Each large square was then broken into smaller

squares.

o These small squares were further subdivided to

ensure even tiny remains could be recorded.

5. These detailed surveys helped:

o Map thousands of structures.

o Trace roads, bazaars, paths.

o Find remains of buildings big and small.

Questions from the Passage (Answered)

Q: Which letter of the alphabet was not used?

Most likely "I" was skipped (often done to avoid confusion
with number 1).
Q: Using the scale, measure a square’s length. What is the
scale?
You would use the scale bar given on the map. If it says 1
cm = 100 metres, then measure the side of a square in cm and
multiply by 100 to get actual distance.

Q: Identify a temple on the map.

Look for:

• Outer walls

• A central shrine

• Paths or roads leading to it

• Then, note the grid square(s) (e.g., B4 or E3) where this

temple is shown.

Q: Identify gopuram, halls, colonnades (pillared corridors),

and central shrine. Which areas do you pass to reach
shrine from entrance?
Starting from gopuram (main entrance tower) → pass
through mandapas/halls → enter inner shrine (garbhagriha).
Each structure lies in different zones/squares on the map.

The Bazaar — Lively, Rich, and Colourful

Paes’s Description:

6. A “broad and beautiful street” full of:

 o Merchants

o Shops selling rubies, diamonds, emeralds, pearls

o Cloths and other luxury goods

o Citrus fruits, grapes, and other fresh produce

7. Every evening: Fair of horses and garden produce

o Even common horses were sold here.

8. Streets full of everything imaginable.

Nuniz’s Description:

9. Called Vijayanagara “overflowing with abundance”:

o Fruits: Grapes, oranges, limes, pomegranates,

jackfruit, mangoes – all very cheap.

o Grains: Rice, wheat, barley, beans, pulses, horse-

gram.

o Meat: Mutton, pork, deer (venison), partridges, hares,

doves, quail, sparrows, rats, cats, lizards (!)

What These Descriptions Show Us

10. Vijayanagara was a cosmopolitan trade city:

o Goods from across India and other regions were

available.
 o Merchants and travellers from far and wide visited.

o A wide variety of luxury and daily-use goods.

o Food security: Everything available cheaply and in

abundance.

11. Religious and commercial centres existed side by

side.

o Temples and bazaars were part of daily life.

o Economic life supported religious practices and vice

versa.

Keywords Explained

Word Meaning

A drawing that shows how a building looks

Elevation
from the outside.

Survey Careful measurement and mapping of a place.

Mandapa A pillared hall in a temple.

Large entrance tower of a South Indian

Gopuram
temple.

Bazaar Market or commercial street.

Word Meaning

A row of columns supporting a roof or

Colonnade
structure.

Material Physical structures or objects left behind (like

Remains ruins).

Let me know if you’d like:

• A visual mind map of the entire Vijayanagara chapter.

• A quick recap sheet for revision.

• Turning the full content into a story-based series or

flashcards.

Ready for section 7?

Here's a clear, pointwise, and simple explanation of:

7. Questions in Search of Answers

(This is a reflection-based conclusion to the Vijayanagara

chapter)

What Buildings Can Tell Us

1. Buildings help us understand:

o How space was organized (e.g., royal vs sacred vs

urban areas).
 o Construction methods (e.g., wedge-shaped stones,
no mortar).

o Materials used (stone, wood, clay, etc.).

o Ideas and symbolism the rulers wanted to express

(e.g., power, religious legitimacy, divine connection).

2. Fortifications tell us about:

o How much focus the rulers gave to defense and

warfare.

o Level of military preparedness.

3. Comparison with other buildings:

o Helps us trace cultural influence, architectural

borrowing, and regional styles (e.g., Indo-Islamic
arches and domes).

But What Buildings Can’t Tell Directly

4. We still don’t know much about ordinary people:

o What did men, women, and children think of these

grand monuments?

o Did they feel proud, indifferent, or burdened by them?

5. Did ordinary people:

o Get access to royal or sacred spaces?

 o Pause and reflect on temple sculptures and
symbols?

o Understand the complex meanings in carvings?

o Just walk past them as part of daily routine?

6. What did labourers and artisans think?

o Did they feel pride or exhaustion?

o Did they see it as devotion or just a job?

Big Questions We Still Can’t Fully Answer

7. Who had the technical knowledge?

o Who designed these huge temples and palaces?

o Were there chief architects or engineers?

8. Where did skilled workers come from?

o Were masons, stonecutters, sculptors locals?

o Or were they brought from other regions, maybe

even war captives?

9. Wages and labour:

o Were they paid well?

o How long did they work?

o Were they forced labour or volunteers?

10. Logistics:
 o Who supervised construction?

o How was stone transported over long distances?

o What tools did they use?

These are not visible in ruins – we need inscriptions, texts,

and oral traditions to guess answers.

Krishnadeva Raya: Two Different Perspectives

11. The King’s Self-Image (Statue in Chidambaram):

• Seen as divine, powerful, majestic.

• Placed on the temple gopuram – symbol of his greatness

and piety.

12. Paes’s Description (A foreign traveller):

• Humanized image:

o Medium height, fair complexion.

o Good figure, “rather fat than thin”.

o Marks of smallpox on face.

This contrast shows that what a king wants to show and

how he is seen by others can be very different.

Keywords
Word Meaning

Fortification Strong walls built around cities for protection.

Use of symbols to convey deeper meanings (e.g.,

Symbolism
power, divinity).

Perspective The viewpoint or way someone sees something.

Gopuram Tower at the entrance of a South Indian temple.

A person who supports and pays for art, temples,

Patron
or projects.

Colossal Very large or massive.

Why This Chapter Ends Like This

• To make you think like a historian – asking what’s missing

from the ruins.

• To question the gaps in our understanding.

• To remind you that history is reconstructed, not just read

from stones.

ONE PAGE SUMMERY:

Here is a one-page summary of the Vijayanagara Empire

chapter (Theme 7 – Class 12 History, Part II: Kings and
Chronicles) in simple, exam-ready format:
 Vijayanagara Empire – One Page Summary

1. Discovery of Hampi

• 1800: Colin Mackenzie (East India Company) surveyed

Hampi.

• Information from temple priests, inscriptions, and foreign

travelers.

• Inscriptions in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Sanskrit.

• Photographs began from 1856, enabling deeper study.

2. Founding and Expansion

• Founded in 1336 by Harihara and Bukka (Sangama

Dynasty).

• Called Karnataka Samrajyamu.

• Rivalries with Gajapati rulers (Orissa) and Deccan

Sultans for fertile lands and trade.

• Architecture influenced by other kingdoms.

3. Kings, Nayakas & Trade

• Important ruler: Krishnadeva Raya (1509–1529, Tuluva

dynasty).
 o Raichur Doab conquered, Orissa subdued, Sultan of
Bijapur defeated.

o Wrote Amuktamalyada on statecraft in Telugu.

• Empire declined after his death due to nayaka rebellions.

• 1565 – Battle of Talikota: Vijayanagara defeated by

Deccan Sultans → city sacked.

• Amara-Nayaka system: military chiefs given land to

manage, collect revenue, maintain troops.

4. The Capital City – Vijayanagara

• Located near Tungabhadra River and surrounded by

granite hills.

• Divided into Sacred Centre, Royal Centre, and Urban

Core.

• Fortified with seven layers of walls.

• Had temples, palaces, roads, tanks (e.g. Kamalapuram),

and canals (e.g. Hiriya canal).

5. Royal Centre

• Mahanavami Dibba: platform for ceremonies during

Navaratri/Dussehra.

• Audience Hall: massive platform with wooden pillars.

• Lotus Mahal: possibly a council chamber.

• Hazara Rama Temple: temple with Ramayana scenes,

used by royals.

6. Sacred Centre

• Virupaksha Temple: dedicated to Shiva; expanded by

Krishnadeva Raya.

• Vitthala Temple: shrine with stone chariot, dedicated to

form of Vishnu.

• Raya Gopurams (monumental gateways), mandapas

(halls), chariot streets.

• Temples were centres of religion, economy, culture, and

royal legitimacy.

7. Mapping and Preservation

• Post-1976: intensive archaeological work began.

• Site divided into grid squares for mapping.

• Thousands of structures identified: temples, roads,

markets.

8. Critical Reflections
 • What did common people think of the buildings?

• Who built them? Labourers, sculptors, stonecutters –

mostly unknown.

• Statues project king’s power, but traveler accounts (like

Paes) reveal reality.

Keywords:

• Amara (battle), Nayaka (military chief), Suratrana

(Sultan),

• Yavana (foreigner), Gopuram (temple gateway), Mandapa

(pavilion)

Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable PDF

revision sheet or Mains-style questions & answers too!

MCQ PRELIMS BASED:

Superb plan, mowa!

Prelims ki topic-wise MCQs prepare cheyyadam UPSC crack
cheyyataniki key step. Starting from Vijayanagara Empire,
here are some high-quality Prelims-level MCQs for you:

VIJAYANAGARA EMPIRE – MCQs for UPSC Prelims

1. Who among the following is credited with discovering the
ruins of Hampi in 1800?
A. James Prinsep
B. Alexander Cunningham
C. Colin Mackenzie
D. William Jones
Answer: C

2. The Vijayanagara Empire was founded by:

A. Harihara and Bukka
B. Krishnadeva Raya and Devaraya I
C. Rama Raya and Saluva Narasimha
D. Chikkadevaraja and Venkatapati
Answer: A

3. The term “Karnataka Samrajyamu” was used by

contemporaries to refer to which empire?
A. Chola Empire
B. Vijayanagara Empire
C. Hoysala Empire
D. Satavahana Empire
Answer: B
4. The “Amara-Nayaka system” of Vijayanagara bears
resemblance to:
A. Mansabdari system
B. Iqta system
C. Ryotwari system
D. Jagirdari system
Answer: B

5. Krishnadeva Raya wrote the famous book Amuktamalyada

in:
A. Sanskrit
B. Kannada
C. Telugu
D. Tamil
Answer: C

6. Which battle led to the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire?

A. Battle of Plassey
B. Battle of Talikota
C. Battle of Chandawar
D. Battle of Haldighati
Answer: B
7. The architectural style of rayagopuram is associated with
which region?
A. Bengal
B. Deccan
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Punjab
Answer: C (Rayagopurams mainly built in South Indian
Dravidian style)

8. Which of the following temples was exclusively used by the

royal family in Vijayanagara?
A. Vitthala temple
B. Virupaksha temple
C. Hazara Rama temple
D. Pattabhirama temple
Answer: C

9. The Vitthala temple is known for which unique feature?

A. Floating shrine
B. Rock-cut monolith elephants
C. Shrine shaped like a chariot
D. Underground tunnel
Answer: C
10. The most important tank built during the early Vijayanagara
period near the royal centre was:
A. Hiriya Tank
B. Kamalapuram Tank
C. Mahanavami Tank
D. Tungabhadra Tank
Answer: B

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