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Achievements of Vijayanagara Kingdom
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ACHIEVEMENTS OF VIJAYANAGARA KINGDOM
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
- Administration under Vijayanagara empire
- Economic and social life
- Art and Architecture
- Decline of the empire
ADMINISTRATION
- The King of Vijayanagar kingdom was at the top of the administration. He had unlimited power. He was responsible for the overall administration of the state. He was the commander-in-chief of the army, the highest administrator and the chief justice.
- To assist the king in the affairs of administration of Vijayanagar empire, there was a council of eight ministers.
- Mahapradhana (Prime Minister), Karyakarta (Chief Secretary) are a few to mention.
- The empire was divided into 6 provinces.
ADMINISTRATION
Provincial
Administration
Provincial Administration
Provinces/Rajyas
Districts/Nadus
Villages/Gramas
Provinces were headed by GOVERNORS and villages were governed by VILLAGE PANCHAYATS
DID YOU KNOW
Economic conditions
- Agriculture flourished because of better irrigation policies. Major importance was given to agriculture and in building dams and canals.
- Textiles, mining, metallurgy and other several industries existed.
- They has well developed sea ports.
- They had commercial relations with, the islands in the Indian Ocean, Arabia, Burma, China, Persia, Portugal, South Africa, and The Malay Archipelago.
- The empire was very wealthy and richly laden with arcades and wonderful galleries in the bazaar area. This is where people gathered to buy silk, diamonds, spices, potteries, pearls, and precious gems.
Revenue Administration
- Land revenue was the main source of income
- The land was carefully surveyed and taxes were collected based on the fertility of the soil.
ECONOMY
Sansad Bhavan
DID YOU KNOW?
Vijayanagara Empire at its peak was very prosperous and was believed to be larger than Rome with palaces grander than of Lisbon “The city is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it, and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world”, marvelled a 15th century Persian ambassador Abdul Razaak.
Social Life
- The society was systematized.
- Women occupied a high position and took an active part in the political, social and literary life of the empire.
- Child marriage, polygamy and sati were prevalent.
- The kings allowed freedom of religion.
SOCIETY & RELIGION
DID YOU KNOW
Fernao Nuniz writes that the kings had women astrologers, clerks, accountants, guards and wrestlers.
TRAVELERS
Vijayanagara Kings were great patrons of art & culture. They were worshippers of LORD VIRUPAKSHA.
Temple architecture was characterized by huge GOPURAMS/Gateways.
The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi is dedicated to lord Shiva.
The temple has a shrine or the holy place of worship, a hall with a number of pillars and 3 antechambers.
Among all the gateways, the eastern gateway is the greatest. It is nine-tiered and 50 meters in length.
Vitthala temple is for Lord Vishnu. predominant attraction of the temple is the Stone Chariot (Ratha).
ART & ARCHITECTURE
HAMPI
Hampi,once a metropolis now a city of ruins, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This historic town is also the “World’s Largest Open-air Museum” and covers an area of nearly 29 sq km.
There were opulent palaces, marvelous temples, massive fortifications, baths, markets, aqua-ducts, well laid roads, pavilions, stables for royal elephants, and elegantly carved pillars.
The Hampi Bazaar was a place where merchants traded in diamonds, pearls, horses, fine silks and brocades.
The ruins of Hampi are extensive and fascinating.
HAMPI
DECLINE
Battle of Talikota (1565 BC.)
- The combined forces of Ahmednagar, Bijapur, Golconda and Bidar declared war on Vijayanagar during the rule of Aliya Rama Raya (Aravidu Dynasty)
- Aliya Rama Raya was defeated. He and his people were killed mercilessly.
- Vijayanagar was ransacked and ruined.
Battle of Virichipuram 1646 CE
- After the defeat in the battle of Talikota, the dynasty lost all its splendour and glory. But the rule eventually ended in the year of 1646 in the battle of Virichipuram.
- The last ruler was Sriranga III. He was left with only Vellore Fort, which was finally seized by the Golconda forces.
- Sriranga died in 1678 as an emperor without an empire, putting an end to over three centuries of Vijayanagara rule in India.
Reasons for the decline of the Empire
- The rulers of the Aravidu dynasty were weak and incompetent.
- Many provincial governors became independent.
- The rulers of Bijapur and Golconda seized some areas of Vijayanagar.
SUMMARY
- Vijayanagara Kingdom had well-organized administrative system
- The king was head of all powers in the state.
- Council of Ministers – to assist the King in the work of administration.The provinces were divided into districts and the districts were further divided into smaller units namely villages.
- The kings allowed freedom of religion.The society was systematized.
- Major importance was given to agriculture and in building dams and canals.Land revenue was the main source of income.
- Vijayanagara Kings were great patrons of art & culture. They were worshippers of LORD VIRUPAKSHA.
- After the defeat in the battle of Talikota, the dynasty lost all its splendour and glory. But the rule eventually ended in the year of 1646 in the battle of Virichipuram.