Vijayanagar Empire - Short Notes for UPSC

§  Prominent languages → Kannada, Telegu, Sanskrit

§  Consist of four major dynasties viz.

§  Sangam Dynasty

§  Saluva Dynasty

§  Tulva Dynasty

§  Aravidu Dynasty

Image Source: historyofindia.com

Sangam Dynasty

§  Founded by Harihara & Bukka

§  Greatest Ruler Devaraya 2 →  Srirangam Copper Plate inscription ascribed to him

 Read | Important Sites of Indus Valley Civilization for UPSC Prelims

Saluva Dynasty

§  Founded by Saluva Narsimha

 Read | Bahmani Kingdom Of Deccan UPSC

 Read | Kakatiya Dynasty: Society, Economy, Polity and Culture

  

Tulva Dynasty

§  Founded by Vir Narsimha

§  Greatest Ruler Krishanadeva Raya

§  Friendly with Portuguese

§  Known as Andhra Bhoja

§  Patronized 8 eminent scholars in his court (Astadiggaja)

§  Greatest of them was Peddana (Also known as Andhra Kavita Pitamah)

 

Literature

§  Pedanna wrote Manucharitam, Harikatha saram (both in Telegu)

§  Krishanadeva Raya wrote : Amukhamaldaya (Telegu), Jambavti kalyanam + Ushaparinayam (Sanskrit)

     Read | Sangam Age: Literature to Political &Socio-Economic History

Architecture by Krishanadeva Raya

§  Vitthalswami & Hazara ramswami temple @ vijayanagar @ Hamphi

§  Built city Nagalapuram in memory of her queen Nagaladevi

 

Points of Prominence (Vijayanagar Empire)

§  Sangam Dynasty →  Saivite with Chief Deity – Virupaksha

§  Other Dynasties  →  Vaisnavite (Saluva, Tuluva & Aravidu) mainly follower of Ramanujam

§  Tolerant towards other religions →  Borbosa referred to Religious freedom to everyone

§  Madurvijayam →  Written by Ganagadevi for Kumarkampana’s expedition of Madurai

§  Abdul Razzak (Persian traveler) gave an account of Vijayanagar Empire

 

Vijaynagar empire was divided in to Mandalams (Headed by Mandaleshwara / nayaks), which was further divided into Nadus, which was further divided into Sthalas & finally into Gramas

Empire —- Mandalams —– Nadus —– Sthalas —– Grama

§  Land revenue was 1/6^th of the produce

§  Gold coin → Varaha

§  Port →  Connanore (Malabar Coast)

 

Foreign Travelers

§  Ibn Batuta           →  Moroccan

§  Nicolo-de-Conti  →  Venetian

§  Abdul Razzak     →  Persian

§  Domingos Paes   →  Portuguese

 

Temple Building Style of Vijayanagar Empire

§  Vesara style of temple architecture → Tall gopurams with large kalyanmandapam along with pillars

§  Example →  Vradhraja & Ekam Parantha temple @ Kanchipuram

§  Famous Elephant chariot architecture belongs to Hampi Ruins