CBSE Class 12 History HOTs An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara

An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara

Question. On which of the following occasions were ceremonies performed at MahanavamiDibba?
(a) Worship of the state horse
(b) Marriage of the king
(c) Victory over the enemy
(d) All of the above

Answer : A

Question. Which of following statement is correct regarding the amara-nayakas system?
(a) The amara-nayakas were traders.
(b) Main features of this system were derived from the mansabdari system.
(c) King had no control over the amara-nayakas.
(d) The amara-nayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the ray(a)

Answer : D

Question. Consider the following statements regarding the Virupaksha temple.
i) The hall in front of the main shrine was built by Krishnadevaraya to mark his accession.
ii) It has a unique shrine designed as a chariot.
iii) The principal deity of this temple was generally worshipped in Maharashtr(a)
(a) Only i)
(b) i) and ii)
(c) ii) and iii)
(d) All of the above.

Answer : A

Question. Who brought the ruins of Hampi in public knowledge?
(a) Colonel Colin Mackenzie
(b) Krishnadeva Raya
(c) Abdur Razzaq

Answer : A

Question. Arrange following in chronological order:
1. Arrange the dynasties of the Vijaynagar kingdom in chronological order:
(a) Saluvas
(b) Sangma Dynasty
(c) Tuluvas

Answer : (b) , (a) , (c)

Question. Arrange the following major political developments in Chronological order.
(a) Conquest of Goa by Portuguese
(b) Establishment of Delhi Sultanate
(c) Establishment of Gajapati kingdom of Orissa
(d) Establishment of the Vijaynagar empire

Answer : (b) , (d) , (c) , (a)

Question. Arrange the following in Chronological order:
(a) Conservation begins under John Marshall.
(b) Colin Mackenzie visits Vijaynagar.
(c) Fleet begins documenting the inscriptions on the temple walls at site.
(d) Alexander Greenlaw takes the first detailed photographs of archaeological remains at Hampi.
(e) Hampi declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Answer : (b) , (d), (c) , (a) , e)

Question. Find out which one of the following is not correctly matched:
(a) Amara-Nayakas System – Vijaynagar Empire
(b) Harihara and Bukka – Founded Vijaynagar
(c) MahanavamiDibba – King’s palace
(d) Hazara Rama Temple – New Delhi

Answer : D

Question. Another name of Vijaynagar city was
(a) Fatehpur Sikri
(b) Hampi
(c) Hastinapur
(d) Nagalparam

Answer : B

Question. When was the Vijaynagar kingdom established?
(a) 1336
(b) 1340
(c) 1346
(d) 1350

Answer : A

Question. Who established the Vijaynagar Kingdom?
(a) Hasan Gangu
(b) Prantak 1 
(c) Harihara and Bukka (
(d) Krishnadeva Raya

Answer : C

Question. The first dynasty that ruled over Vijaynagar Empire was
(a) Suluva dynasty
(b) Sangam dynasty
(c) Tuluva dynasty
(d) Aravidu dynasty

Answer B

Question. local Goddess of vijaynagar was
(a) Parvati
(b) Durga
(c) Pampa devi
(d) Laxmi

Answer : C

Question. Which of these rivers was the major source of water for Vijaynagara
(a) Kaveri
(b) Krishna
(c) Tungabhadra
(d) Mahanadi

Answer C

Question. When was Hampi declared as of the place of national importance?
(a) 1976
(b) 1980
(c) 1982
(d) 1986

Answer : A

Question. Where Is The Famous VijayVitthala Temple Having Its 56 Carved Pillars Emitting Musical Notes Located?
(a) Hampi
(b) .Srirangam
(c) Bhadrachalan
(d) Belur

Answer : A

Question. Who Was Enthroned 500 Years Ago in vijaynagar?
(a) Raja Raya I
(b) Harihara I
(c) Krishnadeva Raya
(d)Kulottunga I

Answer : C

Question. What Was TheChief Characteristic Of The Financial System Of Vijaynagar Empire?
(a) Surplus Rent
(b) Monetary System
(c) Income from Seaports
(d) Land Revenue

Answer : D

Question. The Famous Battle Held In 1565 Is?
(a) Battle OfTalikota
(b) Ist Battle Of Panipat
(c) Battle Of Khanwa
(d) 2nd Battle Of Panipat

Answer : A

Question. Which Ruler ofVijaynagar had sent His ambassador To the Emperor Of China?
(a) Krishna Deva Raya
(b) Saluva Narasimha
(c) Bukka I
(d) Harihara I

Answer : C

Question. Consider the following statements regarding the Virupaksha temple.
(i) The hall in front of the main shrine was built by Krishnadeva Raya to mark his accession.
(ii) It has a unique shrine designed as a chariot.
(iii) The principal deity of this temple was generally worshipped in Maharashtr(a)
(a) only ‘i’
(b) ‘i’ and ‘iii’
(c) ‘ii’ and ‘iii’
(d) All of these

Answer : A

Question. Which Persian ambassador visited the Vijaynagar Empire?
(a) Domingo Paes
(b) Nicolo de Conti
(c) Abdur Razzaq
(d) Duarte Barbosa

Answer : C

Question. Which traveller called the “MahanavamiDibba” as the “House of Victory” ?
(a) Duarte Barbboa
(b) FernaoNuniz
(c) Domingo Paeas
(d) Abdur Razzaq

Answer : C

Question. Which ruler composed the work, Amuktamalyada?
(a) Krishnadeva Raya
(b) Sultan of Bijapur
(c) Rama Raya
(d) Harihara

Answer : A

Question. Sayana, The Famous Commentator Of The Vedic Texts, Was Patronized By?
(a) Paramara Rulers
(b) Satavahana Rulers
(c) Vakataka Rulers
(d) Vijaynagar Rulers

Answer : D

Question. Which of these rivers was the major source of water for Vijaynagar
(a) Kaveri
(b) Krishna
(c) Tungabhadra
(d) Mahanadi

Answer : C

Question. Who among the following assumed the title of Abhinav Bhoj.
(a) Harihar II
(b) Rama Raja
(c) Devraya II
(d) Krishna deva raya

Answer : D

Question. Which of the following temples is an example of Wall inscriptions on which stories of Ramayana & the Mahabharata are inscribed?
(a) Tadapatri
(b) Varadraja
(c) Parvati
(d) Vithalswami

Answer : D

Question. Who was responsible for the defeat of Vijaynagar in the Battle of Talikotta in 1565?
(a) Krishna deva Singh
(b) Rama Raya
(c) Harihar II
(d) Devraya I

Answer : B

Question. Which was themost common animal found in the pillars of the architecture of Vijaynagar Empire?
(a) Bull
(b) Unicorn
(c) Horse
(d) Elephant

Answer : C

Question. True/False Write true/false.

If statement is false, write the correct statement.

Question. Vijaynagar kingdom was founded by two brothers Harihara and Sukka Vijaynagar empire was found by two brothers Harihara and Bukka. 
Answer : False

Question. The king examined the army on the last day of the year.
Answer : True

Question. All royal orders were in Kannada script.
Answer : True

Question. Royal Centre was situated in south-western part of the settlements.
Answer : True

Question. The king examined the army on the last day of the year.
Answer : True

CASE-BASED MCQs

Observe the picture and answer the following questions by choosing the correct option.

Question. Which temple is shown in the picture?
(A) Virupaksha temple
(B) Pampadevi temple
(C) Hazara Ram temple
(D) Vitthala temple
Answer : A

Question. What were Raya Gopurams used to exemplify?
(A) Supremacy of god
(B) Imperial authority
(C) Huge amounts spent on temples
(D) Guide to the travellers
Answer : B

Question. Which script was used for signing royal orders by the rulers in the name of Lord Virupaksha?
(A) Tamil
(B) Kannada
(C) Telugu
(D) Malayalam
Answer : B

Question. What was the name given to pavilions in the Virupaksha temple?
(A) Mandapa
(B) Dibba
(C) Gopuram
(D) Nayaka
Answer : A

Question. One word answer:

Question. To whom is temple Vitthala dedicated?
Answer : Lord Vishnu

Question. Popular names of rulers of Odisha, Deccan Sultans and Rayas.
Answer : Gajapati, Ashavapati, Narapati

Question. Which Goddess is called Pampa?
Answer : Parvati

Question. Two famous buildings of Royal centre.
Answer : MahanavamiDibba, Lotus Mahal

Question. Name of person played risky policy to play off one sultan against other.
Answer : Rama Raya

Question. Name the person who exclaimed, “From the first circuit till the entry to the city a great distance was, there were agricultural fields where rice used to sow. There were many gardens with plenty of water that was supplied by two lakes.”
Answer : Domingo Paes

Question. Other name of Pampadevi temple.
Answer : Virupaksha temple

Question. Name the architectural style brought into India by Turkish sultan.
Answer : Indo-Islamic Style

Question. In which year was Hampi mentioned as the site of national importance?
Answer : 1978

Question. Name of Ambassador sent by Persian ruler to Calicut in 15th C.
Answer : Abdur Razzaq

Question. Name of the main political administrative system of the kingdom.
Answer : Amara -Nayaka

Question. Name the person who prepared first survey map of history.
Answer : Colin Mackenzie

Question. Name the person who mentioned that “houses of ordinary people which have not survived.”
Answer : Barbosa

Question. When and by whom was Hampi declared World Heritage site?
Answer : 1986, UNESCO

Question. Temple used by king and his family.
Answer : Hazara Rama temple

Question. All royal orders were signed in the name of.
Answer : Shri Virupaksha

Very Short Answer type Questions

Question : Hampi town is located in the bank of which river?
Answer : It is located on the bank of Tunghbhadra river

Question : Mention the silent features of the temple of Hampi.
Answer : The temple of Hampi is well articulated with artistic pillars like structure. Magnificent structure with gallery surrounded with pillars around divinity and the place of god is one of the features of the temples. The main temple of Hampi is Vitthal and Hazareram.

Question : Name the four dynasties of Vijayanagara
Answer : Sangama dynasty
The Saluvas
The Tuluvas
The Aravidu

Question :-Who was Colin Mackenzie?Mention his importance in Indian history?
Answer : Colin Mackenzie used to work in British East India Company. He took birth in1754. He is a famous
engineer, surveyor and humanist. He became the first Surveyer General of British India in 1815. He
died in the year 1821. He began to survey in the traditional culture and historical places of India in
order to run administration of Colonial India more smoothly and effectively.

Question : Which goddess is called Pampa ?
Answer : Goddess Pampa is the name of goddess Parvati.

Question :-How did the water requirements problems solved in Vijayanagar empire?
Answer : The natural reservoir are providing water for Vijayanagar is Tunghabhadra river. This river was situated in the north-east direction of the kingdom. Many rivers from nearby mountain range get merged into this river. Dams were built in almost all tributaries of rivers. Hauz were built in order to cope with the drastic climate in draught situation. This was stored in the beginning of the 15th century. This place was called Kamalapuram water reservoir.

Short Answer type Questions

Question : What do you think were the advantages and disadvantages of enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area of the city?
Answer : There are many advantages and disadvantages of enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area of the Vijayanagara empire. Abdur Razzaq noted that "between the first, second and third walls there are cultivated fields, gardens and houses. The detailed statements have been corroborated by present day archaeologists, who have also found evidence of an agricultural tract between the sacred centre and the urban core. We knew different sources that in Vijayanagara empire and other southern kingdom agricultural tracts were incorporated within the fortified areas. Often, the objective of medieval sieges was to strave the defenders into submission. These sieges could last four several months and sometimes even years. Normally rulers tried to be prepared for adverse situations or natural calamities by building large granaries within fortified areas. The rulers of Vijayanagara adopted a more expensive and elaborate strategy of protecting the agricultural belt itself. Whenever, Kingdom was attacked by the enemies at the time of reaping harvest they could easily brunt the dry crops of the farmers. But these fields was safe in ordinary situation from wild animals.

Question : Who were the the Rayas and the Nayakas?
Answer : 1.The nayakas were military chiefs and they usually spoke Telugu or Kannada.
2.Many nayakas submitted to the authority of the kings of Vijayanagara.
3.The amara-nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire. This system was derived from the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate.
4.The amara-nayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the Raya.
5.They collected taxes and maintained an army.
6.The revenue was also used for the maintenance of temples and irrigation works.
7.The amara-nayakas sent tribute to the king annually to express their loyalty. Some times they were transferred to other places.
8. However, during the seventeenth century, many of these nayakas established independent kingdoms. Hence the central imperial structure declined

Question : What are the reasons for the decline of Vijaya Nagara empire?
Answer : 1.The successors of Krishna Deva raya were weak troubled by rebellious nayakas or military chiefs.
2. The people had no say in the administration.So they did not support at the time of crisis.
3.During this period, the military ambitions of the rulers of Vijayanagara as well as those of the Deccan Sultanates resulted in shifting alignments.
4 The led to the alliance of the Sultanates against Vijayanagara.
5. In 1565 Rama Raya, the chief minister of Vijayanagara, led the army into battle known as the battle of Talikota. But his forces were routed by the combined armies of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar and Golconda.
6.The victorious armies sacked the city of Vijayanagara. The city was
totally abandoned within a few years.

Question : Why agricultural tracts were within the fortified area?
Answer : The objective of medieval sieges was to starve the defenders into submission.
These sieges could last for several months and sometimes even years.
Normally rulers tried to be prepared for such situations by building large granaries within fortified areas.
Therefore the rulers of Vijayanagara adopted a more expensive and elaborate strategy to protect the agricultural belt .

Question : What do you think was the significance of the ritual's associated with the Mahanavami dibba ?
Answer : The importance of the rituals associated with the Mahanawami dibba. Located on one of the highest points in the city, the "Mahanawami dibba" is a massive platform rising from a base of about 11000 sq.ft. to a height of 40 feet. Rituals associated with the structure probably coincided with Mahanawami (Literally the great ninth day) of the ten-day Hindu festival during the autumn months of September and October, known variously as Dushehra (northern India), Durga Puja (in Bengal) and Navaratri or Mahanawami (in Peninsular India). The Vijayanagara kings displayed their prestige, power and suzerainty on this occasion.
1.The ceremonies performed on the occasion included worship of the image, worship of the state horse, and the sacrifice of buffaloes and other animals.
2.Dancer, wrestling matches, and processions of caparisoned horses, elephants and chariots and soldiers, as well as ritual presentations before the king and his guests by the chief nayakas and subordinate kings marked the occasion.
3.These ceremonies were imbued with deep symbolic meanings on the last day of the festival the king inspected his army and the armies of the nayakas in a grand ceremony in an open field. On this occasion the nayakas brought rich gifts for the king as well as the stipulated tribute.

Question : Describe briefly temple construction and temple architecture in Vijayanagara (Gopurams and Mandapas)
Answer : The gopuram is one of the best exapmles that shows the imperial authority, (Raya Gopurams -Fig. 7.7)
It is taller than the towers on the central shrines(vimana)
It signalled the presence of the temple from a distance.
They were probably meant as reminders of the power of kings
Other distinctive features include mandapas or pavilions and long, pillared corridors that often ran around the shrines within the temple complex.
Let us look at two temples more closely – the Virupaksha temple and the Vitthala temple.
The Virupaksha Temple
The Virupaksha temple was built over centuries.
Inscriptions suggest that the earliest shrine dated to the ninth-tenth centuries.
It was enlarged by the Vijayanagara Empire.
The hall in the main shrine was built by Krishnadeva Raya
This was decorated with carved pillars.
He is also credited with the construction of the eastern Gopurams.
The halls in the temple were used for a variety of purposes.
Some were spaces in which the images of gods were placed to witness special programmes of music, dance, drama, etc.
Others were used to celebrate the marriages of deities.
The Vitthala Temple
The principal deity was Vitthala, a form of Vishnu generally worshipped in Maharashtra.
The introduction of the worship of the deity in Karnataka is another indication of the ways in which the rulers of Vijayanagara drew on different traditions to create an imperial culture.
This temple too has several halls and a unique shrine designed as a chariot (Fig. 7.24).
An important feature of the temple complexes is the chariot streets that extended from the temple gopuram in a straight line.
These streets were paved with stone slabs and lined with pillared pavilions in which merchants set up their shops.
Nayakas also continued and elaborated on fortification with traditions of temple building.
Some of the most spectacular gopurams were also built by the local nayakas

Question : Discuss whether the term “royal centre” is an appropriate description of the part of the city for which it is used.
Answer : I think the term royal centre is an appropriate description for the part of the city for which it is used.
i) One of the most beautiful buildings in the royal centre is the Lotus Mahal, so named While the name is certainly romantic, historians are not quite sure what the building was used for one suggestion, found in a map drawn by Mackenzie is that it may have been a council chamber, a place where the king met his advisers.
ii) While most temples were located in the sacred centre, there were several in the royal centre as well. One of the most spectacular of these is one known as the Hazara Rama Temple. This was probably meant to be used only by the king and his family.
iii) The images in the central shrine are missing: however sculpted panels on the walls survive. These include scenes from the Ramayana sculpted on the inner walls of the shrine.
iv) While many of the structures at Vijayanagara were destroyed when the city was sacked, traditions of building palatial structures were continued by the nayakas. Many of these buildings have survived.
v) The royal centre was located in the south – western part of the settlement.Although designated as a royal centre it included over 60 temples. Clearly the patronage of temples and cults was important for rulers who were trying to establish and legitimize their authority.
vi) There were the Temple of Malyavanta Raghunathaswami, the Hampi Bazar, the Virupaksha Temple.
vii) House of Victory and Elephant stable are also the main attraction built by the great Vijaynagra ruler Krishnadeva Raya.

Question : Describe the role of trade for the development of Vijayanagara empire.
Answer : 1. As warfare during these times depended upon effective cavalry(on horse), the import of horses from Arabia and Central Asia was very important for rival kingdoms.
2. This trade was initially controlled by Arab traders.
The Local horse merchants also participated in these exchanges.
3. From 1498 other the Europeans also appeared on the scene.
4. The Portuguese were the first attempted to establish trading and military stations.
5. Their superior military technology, especially the use of muskets, enabled them to become important players in the politics of the period.
6. In fact, Vijayanagara was also noted for its markets dealing in spices, textiles and precious stones.
7. Trade was often regarded as a status symbol for such cities, precious stones and jewellery.
8. The revenue derived from trade contributed significantly to the prosperity of the state.

Question : Evaluate the importance of Amar Nayaka System in emergence of Vijayanagara Empire.
Answer : There is a important role of this sytem to emerging the Vijayanagara empire. That shows in the following points:
1.The amara-nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire.
2.It is likely that many features of this system were derived from the Iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate.
3.The amara-nayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the raya.
4.The collected taxes and other dues from peasants.
5.A share of revenue was spent for the maintenance of irrigation works and temples.
6.The amar nayak retained part of the revenue for personal use and for maintaining a stipulated contingent of horses and elephants.
7.These contingents provided the Vijayanagara Kings with an effective fighting force with which they brought the entire southern peninsula under their control.
8.The amara-nayakas sent tribute to the King annually and personally appeared in the royal court with gifts to express their loyalty.
9.Kings occasionally asserted their control over them by transferring them from one place to another.
10.Many of these nayakas established independent kingdoms in the 17th century.

Question : Explain the fortifications and roads in Vijayanagara.
Answer : Abdur Razzaq, an ambassador sent by the ruler of Persia to Calicut in the fifteenth century, was greatly impressed by the fortifications, and mentioned seven lines of forts.
These walls not only encircled the city but also its agricultural land and forests.
The outermost wall linked the hills surrounding the city.
No mortar or cementing agent was employed anywhere in the construction.
The stone blocks used were wedge shaped
The inner portion of the walls was of earth packed with rubble
Between the first, second and the third walls there are cultivated fields, gardens and house.
According to Paes, Between the first circuit and the city there is a great distance, with fields in which they sow rice and have many gardens and much water, in which water came from two lakes A second line of fortification went round the inner core of the urban complex, and a third line surrounded the royal centre, within which each set of major buildings was surrounded by its own high walls.
The fort was entered through well-guarded gates, which linked the city to the major roads.
The gateways were distinctive architectural features
The arch on the gateway leading into the fortified settlement.
The dome over the gate (Fig. 7.6) are regarded as typical features of the architecture introduced by the Turkish Sultans
Some of the most important roads extended from temple gateways, and were lined by bazaars.

Question : “Krishnadeva Raya’s rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation”.explain
Answer :  Krishnadeva Raya was the greatest ruler of Vijayanagara empire.
He belonged to the Tuluva dynasty.
His rule was characterized by expansion and consolidation
This was the time when the land between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers (the Raichur doab) was acquired (1512),
The rulers of Orissa were subdued (1514) .
severe defeats were inflicted on the Sultan of Bijapur (1520).
The kingdom flourished with peace and prosperity.
Krishna deva Raya was credited with building some fine temples and adding impressive gopurams to many important south Indian temples.
He also founded a city called Nagalapuram after his mother.
Krishnadeva Raya’s died in 1529.

Question : Passage based Question:-

Colin Meckenzie

Born in 1754, Colin Meckenzie became a famous engineer, surveyer and cartographer. In 1815 he was appointed the first surveyor General of India. A post he held till his death in 1821. he embarked on collecting local histories and surveying historic sites in order to better understand India’s past and make governance of the of the colony easier. He says that “ It struggled long under the miseries of dead management…. Before the south came under the benign in influence of the British government”. By standing Vijayanagar, Meckenzie believed that the east India company would gain “ much useful information on many of these institutions, laws and customs whose influence still prevails. Among the various tribes of natives forming the general mass of the population to this date.

Question : Who was Colin Mackenzie?
Answer : Colin Mackenzie used to work in British East India Company. He took birth in 1754. He is a famous engineer, surveyor and humanist.

Question : Which ancient city was founded by Colin Meckenzie ?
Answer : Hampi

Question : Why did he start the surveys?
Answer : He started the surveys in order to better understand India’s past and make governance of the colony easier.

Question : In which stages Colin Meckenzie completed his work?
Answer : First of all he prepared the maps. He collected the information’s about the local traditions from the priest of Virupaksha and Pampadevi temple.