The Vijaynagar Empire  (1336-1647) AD – UPSC Notes and Pointers 

The Vijayanagar Empire (1336–1647) AD: The founder of the Vijayanagar Empire were brothers Harihara and Bukka, who were soldiers in Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq’s army, founded the Vijayanagar kingdom in the year 1336. In 1336, they seceded from the Delhi Sultanate and established an independent state in Karnataka, with the capital city of Vijayanagar on the banks of the river Tungabhadra.

Vidyaranya, a contemporary scholar and saint, assisted and inspired Harihara and Bukka in establishing their kingdom. 

About Vijayanagara Empire

The kingdom is named after the city of Vijayanagara (modern-day Hampi). And the empire now encompassed the whole of south India, from the Krishna-Tungabhadra plains up to Rameshwaram.

Political History  of the Vijaynagar Empire 

Vijayanagar was ruled by four different dynasties

• Sangama dynasty (1336-1486)
• Saluva dynasty (1486-1506)
• Tuluva dynasty (1506-1565)
• Aravidu dynasty (1570-1647)

Administration of Vijaynagar Empire 

• They adhered to conventional monarchy.
• In a kingdom, the king was the supreme ruler. Additionally, he served as the army’s top commander.
• A council of ministers assisted the king in carrying out daily duties.
• The amaranayaka was one of the key aspects of the Vijayanagar government. This is similar to the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate.
• The Vijayanagar army’s commander was referred to as the nayaka. An area was assigned to each nayaka for administration. The Nayaka was in charge of increasing agricultural production in his region.
• He maintained his army, horses, elephants, and weapons of war by collecting taxes in his region and using the money to supply the Vijayanagar raya or ruler.
• In order to show their loyalty, the amara-nayakas sent the king tribute on a yearly basis and personally appeared in the royal court bearing gifts.

Society of the Vijaynagar Empire 

• People lived a luxurious life.
• Dresses were mostly made of silk and cotton. People wore perfumes, flowers, and ornaments. Paes mentions the wealthy’s beautiful homes and a large number of household servants.
• Prostitution had become institutionalised.
• The devdasi, or temple dancer system, grew in popularity.
• Sati practice was strengthened further.
• Existence of the four caste groups known as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras.

Architecture of the Vijaynagar Empire

This section contains all the important points you need to mention while answering the Architecture of Vijay Nagar Empire UPSC questions. 

• They used the Dravidian style of architecture and added some unique features, giving it the name Vijayanagara style.
• Local hard granite was the preferred building material, as it had been for the Badami Chalukyas.
• Vijayanagar temples are characterised by ornate pillared Kalyana mandapa (marriage halls); tall rayagopurams (carved monumental towers at the temple’s entrance) built of wood, brick, and stucco in the Chola style; and adorned with life-sized figures of gods and goddesses.
• Vijayanagar’s courtly architecture is typically made of mortar mixed with stone rubble and features secular styles with Islamic-influenced arches, domes, and vaults.
• Famous Vijayanagar temples include the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi and the Hazara Rama temple of Deva Raya I, among others.

Vijaynagar Empire Map

FAQs

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