An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara Important Short and Long Question Class 12 History Chapter-7 Book-Themes in Indian History-II

 

Question – Why did the Portuguese try to establish their commercial and strategic centres in Vijayanagara?

Answer -

• The Portuguese, who arrived on the western coast of the subcontinent in 1498,  sought to establish a trading and strategic centre here  because they had superior strategic technology,  especially the use of guns, which helped them emerge as a significant power.  They wanted to establish their influence here along with trade. 

Q -  What kinds of functions were temple halls used for?

Answer - 

• Statues of gods were kept in some halls 

• Music, dance and drama programs were held in the auditoriums 

• The halls were used to celebrate  the marriages of gods and goddesses 

• In some temples, halls were used to swing the deities 

Question –  Who was Colin Mackenzie and why did he start studying traditions and places related to history?

Answer - 

• Colin Mackenzie was an engineer, surveyor and cartographer.  He was born in 1754 

• In 1815 he was made the first Surveyor General of India

• To better understand India's past and to make the administration of the colony easier 

• Colin Mackenzie began collecting local traditions related to history and surveying historic sites

Question -  How was water supplied in the Vijayanagara Empire? How was it developed for irrigation purposes?

Answer -

• The water requirement in the Vijayanagara Empire was fulfilled by the natural pool created by the Tungabhadra River 

• Other water tanks were also constructed here 

• Kamalapuram reservoir played an important role in fulfilling the water requirement of Vijayanagara 

• Hiriya Canal was also used to meet the water requirements

Question –  Explain the expansion and strengthening of Vijayanagara Empire during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya.

Answer -

• The Vijayanagara Empire expanded and strengthened during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya

• During the reign of Krishnadeva Raya, the areas between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers were acquired 

• During the reign of Krishnadeva Raya, the rulers of Orissa were suppressed 

• The Sultan of Bijapur was defeated during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya 

• The finest temples were built during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya 

Question -  How was the history of Vijayanagara city and empire reconstructed? Explain?

Answer -

• Mackenzie has made a significant contribution in reconstructing the history of the Vijayanagara Empire

• Mackenzie brought to light the ruins of Hampi in 1800 AD.  He also made the first map of Hampi.

• The history of Vijayanagara was reconstructed on the basis of the memories of the priests of Virupaksha Temple and Pampadevi 

• The history of Vijayanagara was reconstructed  by photographers and researchers  using accounts of foreign travellers. 

• Local literature found in Kannada, Tamil and Sanskrit  has also  been helpful in reconstructing  the history of the Vijayanagara city and empire.

• History has been reconstructed with the help  of temples, architecture, fortifications, statues etc. 

Question:  Explain briefly how and when were the ruins of Hampi brought to light.

Answer -

• The ruins of Hampi were brought to light by  an engineer Colin Mackenzie in 1800 AD 

• Mackenzie was working for the East India Company  and he prepared the first survey map of this place 

• The initial information obtained by him  was based on the memories of the priests of the Virupaksha temple and the temple of Pampadevi

Question:  Explain the characteristics of Amarnayak system of Vijayanagara.

Answer -

• The Amar Nayak system was a major political invention of the Vijayanagara Empire 

• Many elements of this system appear to have been derived from the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate 

• Amar Nayakas were military commanders who were given certain territories by the Raya to administer 

• Amar Nayak used to collect land revenue and other taxes from farmers, craftsmen and traders 

• They retained a portion of the revenue for their personal use and for the maintenance of a fixed retinue of horses and elephants. 

• The immortal heroes used to present gifts to the king once a year and express their devotion to their master

Question -  What do you think is the significance of the rituals associated with Mahanavami Dibba?

Answer -

• The rituals related to Mahanavami Dibba had great significance 

• The rituals associated with this structure are probably related to the 10-day Hindu festival called Dussehra or Navaratri,  celebrated during the autumn months of September and October. 

• On this occasion the rulers of Vijayanagara  used to display their status, power and supremacy. 

• The religious rituals performed on the occasion include worship of the idol,  worship of the state horse, buffalo and other animals. 

• sacrifices were made 

• Dances, wrestling competitions and processions of decorated horses,  elephants, chariots and soldiers  were organised

Q:  Explain the characteristics of Gopuram.

Answer -

• The gopurams dwarfed the towers of the central shrines 

• This indicated the presence of the temple from a long distance.

• Gopurams were seen in most of the temples in South India

Question -  Amarnayaka system was a major political invention in Vijayanagara administration. Evaluate it.

Answer - 

• The Amar Nayak system was a major political invention of the Vijayanagara Empire 

• Many elements of this system appear to have been derived from the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate 

• Amar Nayakas were military commanders who were given certain territories by the Raya to administer 

• Amar Nayak used to collect land revenue and other taxes from farmers, craftsmen and traders 

• They retained a portion of the revenue for their personal use and for the maintenance of a fixed retinue of horses and elephants. 

• These groups helped the Vijayanagara rulers to provide an effective military force  with the help of which they brought the entire southern peninsula under their control. 

• A part of the revenue was spent on the maintenance of temples and means of irrigation.

• Amar Nayak used to present gifts to the king once a year and express his devotion to his master.  Amar Nayak used to personally appear in the king's court with gifts. 

• The king would sometimes move them from one place to another to show his control over them

Question -  How was it possible to re-depict the palaces, temples and markets of Vijayanagara? Explain.

Answer -

• Following the initial surveys by Mackenzie, information from travel accounts and records was pieced together 

• In the twentieth century, this place was preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Karnataka Archaeology and Museum Department 

• In 1976, Hampi was recognised as a site of national importance 

• Subsequently, in the early 1980s, a major project was launched to meticulously document the material remains from Vijayanagara through extensive and informed surveys using a variety of archiving techniques. 

• Dozens of scholars from around the world worked to collect and preserve this information over a period of about 20 years

The map was created 

• Its first step was that the entire area was divided into 25 square parts and each square was indicated by a letter of the alphabet 

• These smaller classes were then further divided into groups of even smaller classes 

• But this was not enough; the smaller classes were further divided into even smaller units 

• These extensive surveys were meticulously conducted and thousands of structures were rediscovered  and documented,  ranging from small shrines and dwellings to large temples.

• Due to all this, the remains of roads, paths and markets could be retrieved.

Question -  Why was the agricultural area kept in the fortified area in Vijayanagara? What were its advantages and disadvantages?

Answer - 

• Agriculture was also placed within the fortification area in Vijayanagara

• This was done because medieval sieges were often designed to force the enemy to surrender by depriving them of food supplies. 

• This siege could last for several months or even years.  To deal with such a situation, rulers usually built huge granaries within the fortified areas.

Benefits of fortifying the agricultural sector - 

• This way you can keep your grains safe 

• At the time of attack, grain could be stored for many days

Disadvantages of fortifying the agricultural sector - 

• This process was quite expensive 

• More time, money, and labor was required to fortify the agricultural area 

Question -  What were the reasons for the conflict between the Deccan Sultanates and Vijayanagara?

Answer -

• There were many reasons for the conflict between the Deccan Sultanates and Vijayanagara - 

• Empire expansion was a major reason for the conflict between them because they wanted to expand and strengthen their empire

• There was a growing conflict between the Deccan Sultanates and Vijayanagara over strategic issues. Both wanted to increase their arms and power.

• Religious reasons were also a matter of dispute. The Bahamanis (Islamic rulers) wanted to spread Islam.

• The rulers of the Deccan wanted to conquer Vijayanagara  because this conflict continued due to their expansionist policy and ambition

• Conquering and incorporating the fertile region of Vijayanagara 

• Conquering Golconda was also a matter of conflict.  The rulers of the Deccan Sultanates wanted to conquer Golconda.

Question –  Describe the main features of the temples of Vijayanagara Empire.

Answer -

• There were many temples in the Vijayanagara Empire.  Virupaksha and Vitthal temples are very famous among them. 

• The region has a long history of temple building, stretching back to the Pallava, Chalukya, Hoysala and Chola dynasties.  Rulers encouraged the construction of temples to connect themselves with the gods.

• The Virupaksha temple was built over several centuries and  was enlarged after the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire 

• The pavilion in front of the main temple was built by Krishnadeva Raya  to commemorate his coronation. 

• These temples had halls and pavilions  where the deities were worshipped.

• Here marriages of gods and goddesses were performed and they were put on swings and festivals were celebrated.

• The people of Vijayanagara worshipped Virupaksha Dev, Vitthal Dev and Pampadevi

• Huge statues were installed in temples.  Temples had tall gopurams. 

• In temples, the shrine, pavilion, idol place,  ritual place had special importance

Question -  Explain the surprising facts about the geographical location of Vijayanagara, its water resources and fortifications.

Answer -

water resources 

• The most surprising fact about the geographical location of Vijayanagara is a natural pool formed here by the Tungabhadra River 

• This river flows in the north-east direction and the surrounding scenery is full of beautiful granite hills,   from these hills many streams come and join the river.

• Tanks of different sizes were constructed by building dams along almost all the streams

• The water requirement in the Vijayanagara Empire was fulfilled by the natural pool created by the Tungabhadra River 

• Other water tanks were also constructed here 

• Kamalapuram reservoir played an important role in fulfilling the water requirement of Vijayanagara 

• Hiriya Canal was also used to meet the water requirements

Fortifications 

• Abdul Razzaq, an envoy sent by the Persian ruler to Calicut in the 15th century, was highly impressed by the fortifications and mentioned seven rows of fortifications

• Abdul Razzaq described that not only the city but also the surrounding agricultural areas and forests were surrounded.

• The outermost wall connected the hills surrounding the city.  The most important aspect of the fortification was that it also enclosed the fields.

• Abdul Razzaq has written that  between the first, second and third walls there are cultivated fields, gardens and residences

• Rulers built huge granaries inside fortified areas  so that the grains could be stored safely.

• The second fortification was built around the interior of the urban center 

• The third fortification surrounded the government centre 

• The fort had well-defended gateways for entry  which connected the city to the main roads

For what reasons was Abdur Razzaq, the Persian ambassador during the 15th century, impressed by the fortifications of Vijayanagara?

Answer -

• Abdul Razzaq, an envoy sent by the Persian ruler to Calicut in the 15th century, was highly impressed by the fortifications and mentioned seven rows of fortifications

• Abdul Razzaq described that not only the city but also the surrounding agricultural areas and forests were surrounded.

• The outermost wall connected the hills surrounding the city

• The most important thing about the fortification was that it also surrounded the fields

• Abdul Razzaq has written that  between the first, second and third walls there are cultivated fields, gardens and residences

• Rulers built huge granaries inside fortified areas  so that the grains could be stored safely.

• The second fortification was built around the inner part of the urban center and  the third fortification surrounded the administrative center 

• The fort had well-defended gateways for entry  which connected the city to the main roads