- Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty.
- The empire was established to resist the Muslim invasions and to protect Hindu culture and traditions.
- Harihara I and Bukka Raya I were originally feudatories of the Hoysala dynasty.
- The capital city, Vijayanagara, was located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in present-day Karnataka.
- The empire had four main dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu.
- The reign of Krishna Deva Raya (1509–1529) is considered the golden age of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- Krishna Deva Raya was a great patron of art and literature, and his court was adorned by the Ashtadiggajas, or eight poets.
- Amuktamalyada, a Telugu work on polity and administration, was written by Krishna Deva Raya.
- The empire was known for its advancements in architecture, including the construction of the Virupaksha Temple and the Vittala Temple.
- The famous Hampi ruins are a testament to the architectural brilliance of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- The economy of the empire was based on agriculture, trade, and commerce.
- The empire had strong trade relations with the Portuguese, Arabs, and Southeast Asian countries.
- The Bahmani Sultanate was the main rival of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- The empire's military strength included a large infantry, cavalry, and war elephants.
- Village self-governance and land revenue administration were key features of the Vijayanagara administrative system.
- The empire declined after the Battle of Talikota in 1565, where the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates defeated the Vijayanagara army.
- The rulers were known for their religious tolerance and patronage of various religious communities.
- Vijayanagara promoted the Bhakti movement, with saints like Purandaradasa and Kanakadasa contributing to its growth.
- The use of Persian and Devanagari scripts in inscriptions indicates cultural synthesis.
- The Vijayanagara rulers introduced a well-organized taxation system and currency.
- They used gold coins called pagodas for trade.
- The empire's irrigation systems, such as tanks and canals, supported agricultural productivity.
- The literary contributions of the empire include works in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Sanskrit.
- The decline of the empire led to the rise of regional powers such as the Nayakas and the Mysore kingdom.
- Architectural styles like the Dravidian style were refined during this period.
- The Vittala Temple's stone chariot is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The reign of Devaraya II (1422–1446) was marked by administrative reforms and military campaigns.
- The empire's strategic location facilitated control over peninsular India.
- Vijayanagara inscriptions provide valuable information about the socio-economic and cultural life of the period.
- The collapse of the empire resulted in the fragmentation of South India into smaller states.
- The empire's legacy continues to influence South Indian culture and architecture.
Questions
- Who was the founder of the Vijayanagara Empire?
- In which year was the Vijayanagara Empire founded?
- The Vijayanagara Empire was primarily located in which region?
- Who was the most famous ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire?
- The Vijayanagara Empire fought the Battle of Talikota against which coalition?
- Which traveler visited Vijayanagara during Krishnadevaraya's reign?
- The capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire was located at:
- The primary language used for administration in the Vijayanagara Empire was:
- Which dynasty ruled the Vijayanagara Empire during its founding?
- Who composed the famous Telugu work Amuktamalyada?
- The famous Hazara Rama Temple was built during the reign of:
- The Vijayanagara rulers were known for promoting which form of architecture?
- Which river flows near the Vijayanagara capital of Hampi?
- The Vijayanagara Empire was known for its conflicts with which other South Indian kingdom?
- The decline of the Vijayanagara Empire began after which battle?
- Who was the first ruler of the Tuluva dynasty in Vijayanagara?
- The reign of Krishnadevaraya is considered a golden age in which field?
- The Vijayanagara Empire’s administration was inspired by which earlier kingdom?
- The famous Vittala Temple, with its iconic stone chariot, is located in:
- Who authored the historical work Madhura Vijayam, which describes the campaigns of the empire?
- The Vijayanagara Empire had trade relations with which European power?
- Which ruler of Vijayanagara introduced a land revenue system based on crop classification?
- The ruins of Vijayanagara are now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name:
- The temple in Hampi dedicated to Lord Virupaksha was built during which dynasty?
- Which festival was celebrated grandly during the Vijayanagara period?
- The concept of Nayakas (military chieftains) was prevalent under which empire?
- The Vijayanagara Empire is famous for its support of which religion?
- Which Persian traveler described the wealth and prosperity of Vijayanagara?
- The administration of the Vijayanagara Empire was divided into provinces known as: