PART2 CH7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara (Important Question Answer)

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II

CH7 AN IMPERIAL CAPITAL: VIJAYNAGARA

(C.FOURTEENTH TO SIXETEEN CENTURY)

IMPORTANT QUESTION ANSWER

1. Hampi town is located in the bank of which river?

Ans. It is located on the bank of Tunghbhadra River. 

2. Which goddess is called Pampa? 

Ans. Goddess Pampa is the name of goddess Parvati.

3. Who was Colin Mackenzie? Mention his importance in Indian history? 

Ans. 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. 

4. Mention the silent features of the temple of Hampi. 

Ans. 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.

5. How did the water requirements problems solved in Vijayanagar empire? Ans. The natural reservoir is 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.

6. What do you think were the advantages and disadvantages of enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area of the city?  

Ans. 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 were safe in ordinary situation from wild animals.

7. What do you think was the significance of the ritual's associated with the Mahanavami dibba?4 Ans. 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.

8. What impression of the lives of the ordinary people of Vijayanagara can you cull from the various descriptions in Vijayanagara Empire. 

Ans. Ordinary people of this empire scope different languages and followed different religious tradition. There were small traders and local merchant use to live in cities, trade centre, port town and villages. Peasants, workers, slaves etc. were including in ordinary people. These were ordinary Brahmans, trader and women also. 

1.In the society there were a few low class people, who were non-influential. They were Dombar, Mana, Jogi, Paraiyan, Boi, Kallar etc. Some low caste people were coverted to Christianity due to the influence of the Portugeuses. The evils of caste system and untouchability were practiced in the society. 

2. The ordinary people of the Vijayanagar empire lived in ordinary houses. This is how the sixteenth century Portuguese traveller Barbosa described the houses of ordinary people existed in the society. The men were sold and purchased. There were some special rules for the slaves.