The Vijayanagara & Bahmani Kingdoms

Question 1

What are the four dynasties of the Vijayanagara empire? And from when to when did they rule?

Answer 1

The 4 dynasties are:
1. Sangama Dynasty
2. Suluva dynasty 
3. Tuluva Dynasty
4. Aravindu Dynasty
They ruled from 1336CE to 1672CE

Question 2

By whom and When was the Vijayanagara empire founded?

Answer 2

By Harihara I & Bukka Raya I in 1336 CE

Question 3

What did rulers call themselves?

Answer 3

Rayas

Question 4

Who was Krishnadeva Raya?

Answer 4

Krishnadeva Raya was the Vijayanagara kingdom’s most successful ruler. He was from the Tuluva dynasty. He built a strong army and had conquered neighbouring territories of the Deccan sultans and the Gajapatis. He captured the Raichur doab which was the fertile land between the river Krishna and Tunghabadra in the battle of Raichur (1520 CE) by defeating Bijapur.

Question 5

How did Krishnadeva Raya Improve trade?

Answer 5

Krishnadeva Raya improved trade by building alliances with the Portuguese. This improved foreign trade and was a good source of income. The Portuguese imported war materials such as guns and horses. The king lived various trade taxes. Portuguese travellers Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz visited the empire during his reign.

Question 6

What did Krishnadeva Raya do to help agriculture?

Answer 6

Knowing the importance of agriculture to the economy Krishnadeva Raya built many big reservoirs, dams, canals for irrigation. He also improved the agricultural techniques to increase production.

Question 7

Describe the literature in the rule of Krishnadeva Raya.

Answer 7

Krishnadeva Raya was a great scholar. He wrote a book Amuktamalyada in Telugu and a play Jambavati in Sanskrit. His court had 8 scholars known as Asthadiggajas.

Question 8

Describe the administration of the Vijayanagara empire.

Answer 8

The administration under the Vijayanagara empire was well organised. The king has absolute power and is the head of the state. The succession to the throne was hereditary. The king was assisted by the council minister and headed by the PM. The empire was divided into different administrative units called mandalas, nadus, sthalas and gramas. The governor of Mandalam was called Mandaleswara or Nayak. Land revenue was fixed and was 1/6 of the produce.

Question 9

Describe the military of the Vijayanagara empire.

Answer 9

The army consisted of the cavalry, infantry, artillery and elephants. High-breed horses were imported. Top grade officers were known as Nayaks. They were granted land. Soldiers were paid in cash. Krishnadeva Raya’s army had 100000 land soldiers, 20000 horses and 900 elephants.

Question 10

What is the Amar Nayaka system?

Answer 10

The Amar Nayaka system is for military chiefs who controlled forts and had armed supporters. They moved from place to place. They are called Nayakas and spoke Telugu or Kannada. Many features were derived from the iqta system of the Delhi sultante.

Question 11

What is the Nayakars system?

Answer 11

The Nayakara system were people who collected taxes and other dues from citizens around the area. They took a part of it for personnel use. Some revenue was also used from maintaining temples and irrigation works. They sent tribute to the king and appeared in the court with gifts to show loyalty. The kings could transfer them from place to place.

Question 12

Describe the art and architecture of the Vijayanagara kingdoms?

Answer 12

The kings were great patrons of art and culture. They worshipped Lord Virupaksha. The temple architecture was characterized by huge gopurams in the gateway. Gopurams are towers at the entrance of temples that stand tall. Inside the central shine was decorated with raised corridors and supported by pillars. These were called mandapas.

Question 13

Describe Hampi in the time of the Vijayanagara Empire

Answer 13

The city of Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara kingdom. It was regarded as a holy place. It started off as a small town but later became a medieval metropolis. The city was protected by hills and there were water canals from the Tungabhadra. The Hampi bazaar was known to be a very beautiful place and had many things.

Question 14

By whom and when was the Bahmani kingdom founded?

Answer 14

The Bahmani Kingdom was founded by Alauddin Bahman Shah in 1347 CE.

Question 15

Who was Alauddin Bahman Shah?

Answer 15

He was an official during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq and rebelled against him and made this sultanate.

Question 16

What were the capitals of the Bahmani Kingdom

Answer 16

The Capital of the Bahmani kingdom was Gulbarga between 1347 CE and 1425 CE when it was moved to Bidar.

Question 17

How many years did the Bahmani kingdom last?

Answer 17

about 200 years.

Question 18

Who was the second ruler of the Bahmani kingdom?

Answer 18

The second ruler of the Bahmani kingdom was Muhammad Shah I, who constructed the famous Jamia Masjid.

Question 19

Explain the Conflict between the Bahmani Kingdoms and the Vijayanagara Kingdom

Answer 19

The fertile Raichur Doab was one of the main reasons for their conflict. Many battles were over these fertile parts of land between the rivers Tungabadra and Krishna. Finally, the Vijayanagara kingdom lost control of this place. Another reason for the conflict was that the Bahmani kingdoms had diamond mines in the city of Golconda and the Vijayanagara rulers wanted it.

Question 20

Who was Ibrahim Adil Shah II?

Answer 20

Ibrahim Adil Shah II was a Bahmani ruler who ruled for 47 years. He ascended the throne at the age of 9. He tried to create cultural harmony between the Shias and the Sunnis as well as between the Hindus and the Muslims through music. He wrote the book Kitab-e-Navas ( book of 9) in Dakhani

Question 21

Who was Mahmud Gawan?

Answer 21

Mahmud Gawan was the PM and general to 3 Bahmani Kings from 1458 to 1481. He created the political and administrative rise for the kingdom. He conquered Goa and expanded from coast to coast. He introduced gunpowder and tried to bring peace to the empire. He introduced many economic reforms and promoted agricultural activities. he didn’t discriminate and was charitable. He was a great supporter of education and built a Madrasa in Bidar known as the Mahmud Gawan Madrasa. He was disliked by many nobles due to his foreign origin. The nobles conspired against him and got the king to execute him. After realizing his mistake the king drank himself to death. The kingdom declined after his death and disintegrated into 5 different sultanates - Bijapur, Berar, Bidar, Ahmednagar, and Golconda. These Sultanates were constantly at war.

Question 22

Describe the administration of the Bahmani Kingdoms.

Answer 22

The Bahmani kingdom’s administration was based on Islamic laws and the king was the ultimate power. The king’s decisions were usually influenced by the Ulemas and the nobles. The army strengthened the rule of the kings and many ministers played a part in it. The Persian language remained the court language although Marathi was also recognized as a language. The Kingdom had 4 provinces - Gulbarg, Daulatabad Berar and Bidar. Revenue was collected by the governors and a part of it was paid to the kings.

Question 23

Describe the art and architecture of the Bahmani Kingdom

Answer 23

The Bahmani kings built many beautiful tombs and mosques in Bidar and Gulbarga. They also built many forts. The architecture was influenced by Persian Architecture. Some of the most magnificent structures built by them were - Jami Masjid in Gulbarga, Chand Minar, and Mahmud Gawan Madrasa in Bidar. The Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur was one of the most beautiful specimens. It was the tomb of Muhammad Adil Shah II who ruled the sultanate. The Dome is in a circular shape and is supported by eight intersecting arcs. The acoustics here are good.