CBSE Class 12 History An Imperial Capital Vijay Nagar Worksheet Set B

Key concepts in nutshell

• Discovery of Hampi - In 1799 the first British antiquarian Colin Mackenzie, the first surveyor general of India, visited the ruins of Hampi, collected some manuscripts, had some water colours painted on monuments and made the first map of the site.
• The Rayas, Nayakas and Sultans - Harihara and Bukka asserted their independence of the Delhi Sultanate and established the kingdom of Vijayanagar in AD 1336.
• Kings and trading class - The warfare depended mainly upon powerful cavalry. The Portuguese settled on the west coast of India in an attempt to establish their trading and military stations.
• The climax and decline of Vijaynagar Empire - Krishnadeva Raya was an able administrator. He built dams for irrigation. He built magnificent palaces and temples. Its ruler Rama Raya was miserably defeated on the battlefield of Rakshasi - Tangadi (Talikota) in A.D. 1565. The victorious armies plundered and destroyed the city of Vijaynagar.
• Vijayanagar Hampi Architecture - The Vijayanagar architecture (Hampi Architecture) of the period (1336-1565) was a unique building style evolved by the imperial Vijayanagar empire.
• Hampi Bazar - Portuguese travellers Paes and Nuniz visited Hampi in the mid 16th century. They give an account of Hampi Bazar thus: "in this street lived many merchants and there you will find all sort of rubies, diamonds, pearls and cloths that you may wish to buy".
• Building and palaces - What we know today about the Vijayanagar palaces and buildings is derived from the archaeological excavations at Hampi as no royal palace structures have survived.
• King royal enclosure - Another important building at Hampi is the kings' royal enclosure. Paes tells that against the gate there were two circles in which there were dancing women richly arrayed with many jewels of gold, diamonds and many pearls.
• Mahanavami dibba - The Mahanavami dibba is located on one of the highest points in the city. It is a very large platform rising from a base of about 11,000 square feet to a height of 40 feet. It seems that it supported a wooden structure.
• Forts of Vijaynagar - In the constant struggle for power, forts and fortified settlements were a potent symbol of authority. The rulers of Vijaynagar empire created the cities with the main object of protection against invasions. The city itself was a fortress and designed as such in every manner.

DYNASTIES OF VIJAYANAGAR

• 1- Sangam: 1336-1485 c.e.
• 2- Saluvas: 1485-1505 c.e.
• 3- Tuluvas: 1505-1570 c.e.
• 4- Aravidu: 1570-1650 c.e.

OTQ 

Question 1. Who was / were the founder of Vijay nagar Empire?
Answer: Two brothers Harihara & Bukka.

Question 2. In which Area Gajapati rulers were ruling?
Answer: Orissa.

Question 3. Local communities of merchants were known by which name?
Answer: Kudirai Chetty.

Question 4. How many dynasties exercised control on Vijay nagar Empire?
Answer: 4 (Sangam, Saluvas, Tuluvas, Aravidu).

Question 5. What is the present name of Vijayanagar?
Answer: Hampi.

Question 6. Write the name of Capital / Capitals of Vijayanagar Empire.
Answer: Vijayanagar, Penukonda, Chandragiri, respectively.

Question 7. Battle year of the Talikota?
Answer: 1565 C.E.

Question 8. Battle of Talikota was also known by another name –
Answer: Rakshasi – Tangadi

Question 9. Who was the chief minister of Vijayanagar at that time?
Answer: Rama Raya.

Question 10. Who was Abdur Razzaq?
Answer: An Ambassador sent by the ruler of Persia to Calicut.

Question 11. Who was Colonel Colin Mackenzie?
Answer: An employee of the English East India Company. Ruins at Hampi were brought to light by him in 1800.

Question 12. What do you know about Gopuram?
Answer: Gopuram is a large pyramidal tower constructed over the entrance gate of a temple.

Question 13. What do you know about Mandapam?
Answer: Mandapam were pillared outdoor halls for public rituals.

Question 14. Why do you think agricultural tracts were incorporated within the fortified area?
Answer: To be prepared for protection against sieges.

Question 15. Hampi town is located on the bank of which river?
Answer: It is located on the bank of Tungabhadra river.

Question 16. Who was Colin Mackenzie?
Answer: He was a famous engineer, surveyor and humanist.

Question 17. How were the water requirement problems solved in Vijayanagar Empire?
Answer: The natural reservoir providing water for Vijayanagar is the Tungabhadra River.

S.A. 

Question 18. Describe the main features of the temples in Vijayanagara Empire.
Answer:

• 1. Architects were influenced by the Indo-Islamic architectural styles.
• 2. Huge structure of temple.
• 3. Gopuram and Mandapas.
• 4. Temples were the symbol of King's Power and resource.
• 5. Building of story upon story above the "garbhagriha" called Vimana.
• 6. Architecture was 'Dravida Style' but it had its own distinct features.
• 7. Temples have a Kalyanamandapa, used for music, dance, drama etc.

Question 19. How were the water requirements of Vijayanagara met?
Answer:

• Water requirements of Vijayanagara were met by the river Tungabhadra.
• Tanks were made to overcome this problem.
• Kamalapuram tank was used for irrigation and needs of the royal centers.
• Hiriya canal was the most prominent water works.

Question 20. What is the Amara - Nayaka System?
Answer: It was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire. Many features of this system were derived from the Iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate.

Long Answer -

Question 21. Describe the main causes responsible for the downfall of Vijayanagara Empire.
Answer: Weakness of the Central Government was a primary factor. Specific causes include:

• 1. Weak successors after Krishnadeva Raya.
• 2. Struggles between different dynasties.
• 3. Continuous struggles against the Bahamani Empire and its successor sultanates.
• 4. Changing role and loyalty of the Army.
• 5. The decisive defeat in the Battle of Talikota (1565).

Question 22. Describe the salient features of the administration of Vijayanagara Empire.
Answer:

• 1. The King (The ultimate authority).
• 2. Cabinet ministers.
• 3. Provincial Government.
• 4. Local administration.
• 5. Judicial administration.
• 6. Financial administration.
• 7. Amara Nayak System.

Question 23. Describe the contribution of Krishnadeva Raya, the greatest King of the Vijayanagara.
Answer:

• 1. His period is characterized by expansion and consolidation.
• 2. Broad toleration prevailed in his empire.
• 3. After a series of battles, Vijayanagara emerged as a strongest military power.
• 4. Peace and Prosperity flourished.
• 5. Efficient administration under his sway.
• 6. Productive agriculture through irrigation projects.
• 7. Flourished inland coastal and overseas trade.
• 8. He was a great builder (temples and the suburb Nagalapuram).
• 9. He was a scholar of Telugu and patron of Telugu, Kannada and Tamil poets.
• 10. He was a man of justice.

Passage based Question:

The bazaar Paes gives a vivid description of the bazaar: "Going forward, you have a broad and beautiful street … In this street live many merchants, and there you will find all sorts of rubies, and diamonds, and emeralds, and pearls, and seed-pearls, and cloths, and every other sort of thing there is on earth and that you may wish to buy. Then you have there every evening a fair where they sell many common horses and nags, and also many citrons, and limes, and oranges, and grapes, and every other kind of garden stuff, and wood; you have all in this street." More generally, he described the city as being “the best provided city in the world” with the markets “stocked with provisions such as rice, wheat, grains, India corn and a certain amount of barley and beans, moong, pulses and horse-gram” all of which were cheaply and abundantly available. According to Fernao Nuniz, the Vijayanagara markets were “overflowing with abundance of fruits, grapes and oranges, limes, pomegranates, jackfruit and mangoes and all very cheap”. Meat too was sold in abundance in the marketplaces. Nuniz describes “mutton, pork, venison, partridges, hares, doves, quail and all kinds of birds, sparrows, rats and cats and lizards” as being sold in the market of Bisnaga (Vijayanagara).

(i) How did Paes describe the bazaar?
Answer: He described it as a broad and beautiful street where many merchants lived. One could find all sorts of rubies, diamonds, emeralds, pearls, and cloths. Every evening a fair was held selling horses, fruits like citrons, limes, oranges, grapes, and garden stuff.

(ii) What did Fernao Nuniz say about the market of vegetables and provisions?
Answer: He noted the markets were overflowing with an abundance of fruits like grapes, oranges, pomegranates, and jackfruit, all at very cheap prices. Provisions like rice, wheat, and pulses were also abundantly available. Meat of various kinds was also sold in the marketplaces.

(iii) What kind of arrangements were there for the provision of water in Vijayanagar empire?
Answer: Water was provided via the natural basin of the Tungabhadra river, streams from rocky outcrops, the Kamalapuram Tank, and the Hiriya canal.