What does the name 'Vijayanagar' mean and where was its capital located?
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'Vijayanagar' means 'City of Victory.' Its capital was Hampi (also known as Pampahampi or Hampi), located in southern India.
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What does the name 'Vijayanagar' mean and where was its capital located?
'Vijayanagar' means 'City of Victory.' Its capital was Hampi (also known as Pampahampi or Hampi), located in southern India.
Who rediscovered the ruins of Hampi and in which year?
Colin Mackenzie, an engineer and antiquarian, rediscovered the ruins of Hampi in 1800.
What was the local name for the Vijayanagar Empire and what was its main economic activity?
The local name was 'Karnataka Samrajyamu.' Its main economic activity included trade, especially horse trading by the Kudirai Chettis.
Which regions and rulers did the Vijayanagar Empire compete with for control of ports and the Raichur Doab?
Vijayanagar competed with the Sultans of Deccan and the Gajapati rulers of Orissa for control of ports and the Raichur Doab region.
Which earlier kingdoms amalgamated to form the Vijayanagar Empire?
The Chera, Chola, Pandya, and Pallava kingdoms amalgamated to form the Vijayanagar Empire.
How many dynasties ruled the Vijayanagar Empire and what were their names?
Four dynasties ruled: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu.
Who were the founders of the Sangama Dynasty and what was their background?
Harihara I and Bukka I, sons of Sangama, were the founders. They were initially feudatories of the Kakatiyas and later ministers in Kampili.
Which river often served as a natural divider between the Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms?
The Krishna river often served as a natural divider.
Name two famous travellers who visited the Vijayanagar Empire during the Sangama period.
Ibn Battuta and Abdur Razzaq (the latter during Deva Raya II's reign).
What is a 'feudatory' in the context of the Vijayanagar Empire?
A feudatory was a landowner under a ruler who could declare autonomy if the ruler weakened.
Who founded the Saluva Dynasty and when did it rule?
Saluva Narasimha founded the Saluva Dynasty, which ruled from 1486 to 1505 AD.
Who founded the Tuluva Dynasty and who was its most famous ruler?
Vira Narasimha founded the Tuluva Dynasty. Its most famous ruler was Krishna Deva Raya.
How did Krishna Deva Raya come to the throne and what are some of his major architectural contributions?
Suluva Timma, the chief minister of Vira Narasimha, placed Krishna Deva Raya on the throne. He built Vijaya Mahal, Hazara Rama Temple, and Vitthal Swami Temple.
List some titles held by Krishna Deva Raya.
Yavanaraja Sthapnacharya, Abhinava Bhoja, Andhra Bhoja, Andhra Pratimaha.
Which town did Krishna Deva Raya found in honor of his mother?
He founded the town of Nagalapuram after his mother.
Name two literary works of Krishna Deva Raya and the languages they were written in.
Amuktamalayada (Telugu, on polity) and Jambavati Kalyanam (Sanskrit drama).
Which Portuguese travellers visited Krishna Deva Raya's court?
Duarte Barbosa and Domingo Paes.
Who were the Ashtadiggajas and name one famous member?
The Ashtadiggajas were eight scholars in Krishna Deva Raya's court; one famous member was Tenalirama.
What was the significance of the Battle of Talikota and who was defeated?
The Battle of Talikota (1565), also known as Rakshasi Tangdi, led to the complete demolition of the Vijayanagar Empire. Aliya Rama Raya, the chief minister of Sadasiva Raya, was defeated by the united Deccan sultans.
Who was the last ruler of the Aravidu Dynasty?
Sri Ranga III (1678 AD) was the last ruler of the Aravidu Dynasty.
What was the Amara Nayakas system in Vijayanagar administration?
It was a system where Nayakas (military chiefs) were granted land to rule, generate revenue for the Raya (ruler), and maintain troops.
What was the Ayangar System?
It was a village committee system with 12 members.
Name at least three foreign travellers and the Vijayanagar rulers they visited.
Ibn Battuta (Harihara and Bukka), Duarte Barbosa and Domingo Paes (Krishna Deva Raya), Nicolo de Conti (Deva Raya I), Abdur Razzaq (Deva Raya II), Fernao Nuniz (Achutya Raya).
What is the Mahanavami Dibba and who built it?
The Mahanavami Dibba is a stepped pyramid structure built by Krishna Deva Raya.
Describe the Kamalapuram Tank and its significance.
The Kamalapuram Tank is a stepped tank (water reservoir) built by Krishna Deva Raya, showcasing advanced water management and architecture.
Name two other notable architectural structures of the Vijayanagar Empire and their features.
Lotus Temple (unique lotus-like design) and Elephant Stable (long building with 11 arched entrances for elephants).
Where are the major Vijayanagar architectural sites located today?
They are located in modern-day Karnataka, India.
Who founded the Bahmani Kingdom and what was its first capital?
Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah (Hasan Gangu) founded the Bahmani Kingdom, with Gulbarga as its first capital.
Which Bahmani ruler shifted the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar?
Ahmad Shah Wali shifted the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar.
How did the Bahmani Empire break up and into how many kingdoms?
The Bahmani Empire broke up into five independent kingdoms: Berar, Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, and Bidar.
Who founded the kingdom of Berar and which dynasty did it belong to?
Fataullah Imad Shah founded Berar, which belonged to the Imad Shahi dynasty.
Who founded Bijapur and which dynasty did it belong to?
Yusuf Adil Shah founded Bijapur, which belonged to the Adil Shah dynasty.
Who founded Ahmadnagar and which dynasty did it belong to?
Malik Ahmad founded Ahmadnagar, which belonged to the Nizam Shahi dynasty.
Who founded Golconda and which dynasty did it belong to?
Quli Qutub Shah founded Golconda, which belonged to the Qutub Shahi dynasty.
Who founded Bidar and which dynasty did it belong to?
Amir Ali Barid founded Bidar, which belonged to the Barid Shahi dynasty.
Which language did Ibrahim Adil Shah introduce as the court language in Bijapur?
Ibrahim Adil Shah introduced Dakhini as the court language, replacing Persian.
Who built the Gol Gumbaj and what is it famous for?
Muhammad Adil Shah built the Gol Gumbaj, which is famous for its 'Whispering Gallery.'
Who was the architect of Gol Gumbaj?
Yakut of Dabul was the architect of Gol Gumbaj.
Who built the famous Golconda Fort?
Quli Qutub Shah built the famous Golconda Fort.
Who was the greatest ruler of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty and what city did he found?
Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah was the greatest ruler; he founded the city of Hyderabad (originally Bhagyanagar).
What famous monument did Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah build in Hyderabad?
He built the Charminar in Hyderabad.
To whom was the city of Bhagyanagar named after?
It was named after Bhagyamati, the Sultan's favourite.
Which Rashtrakuta ruler is mentioned in the one-liners and what was his capital?
Krishna III (Manyakheta) belonged to the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
Who performed the 'Hiranya Garbha' ritual?
Dantidurga performed the 'Hiranya Garbha' ritual.
Which Bahmani ruler was known as 'Zalima' for his cruelty?
Humayun Shah was known as 'Zalima' for his cruelty.
