Q1. Who among the following founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336 CE?
A. Harihara I and Bukka I
B. Devaraya I and Devaraya II
C. Krishnadevaraya and Achyuta Raya
D. Saluva Narasimha and Narasa Nayaka
Answer: A. Harihara I and Bukka I
Explanation:
- The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 CE by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka I.
- They belonged to the Sangama dynasty, the first ruling dynasty of Vijayanagara.
- According to tradition, they were inspired by the sage Vidyaranya of the Sringeri Matha.
- The capital city was established at Vijayanagara (modern Hampi, Karnataka) on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
- The empire emerged mainly:
- To resist the expansion of the Delhi Sultanate in South India.
- To revive and protect Hindu political authority in the Deccan.
- Vijayanagara later became:
- The most powerful South Indian empire of medieval India.
- A major centre of trade, temple architecture, irrigation, and literature.
Q2. Which Vijayanagara ruler is regarded as the greatest ruler of the empire?
A. Harihara II
B. Devaraya II
C. Krishnadevaraya
D. Sadashiva Raya
Answer: C. Krishnadevaraya
Explanation:
- Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529 CE) of the Tuluva dynasty is considered the greatest Vijayanagara ruler.
- His reign is called the Golden Age of Vijayanagara because of:
- Military expansion
- Economic prosperity
- Literary growth
- Monumental architecture
- Major military achievements:
- Defeated the Bahmani successor states
- Won the Raichur Doab from Bijapur Sultanate.
- Expanded influence into Odisha against the Gajapatis.
- Literary achievements:
- Wrote the Telugu work Amuktamalyada.
- Patronized the famous Ashtadiggajas (8 Telugu scholars).
- He was called:
- “Andhra Bhoja”
- “Abhinava Bhoja”
- Portuguese travellers Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz described his kingdom as:
- Extremely wealthy
- Militarily powerful
- Well-administered
Q3. Which Vijayanagara ruler recruited Muslim archers into the army and strengthened the cavalry system?
A. Harihara I
B. Devaraya I
C. Devaraya II
D. Krishnadevaraya
Answer: C. Devaraya II
Explanation:
- Devaraya II (Praudha Devaraya) was one of the strongest rulers of the Sangama dynasty.
- He realized that Vijayanagara was militarily weaker in cavalry warfare compared to Deccan Sultanates.
- Therefore he:
- Recruited Muslim archers into the army.
- Improved cavalry training.
- Imported high-quality horses from Arabia and Persia.
- This shows:
- Vijayanagara’s pragmatic military policy.
- Religious tolerance in administration and warfare.
- Foreign traveller Abdur Razzaq visited during his reign and praised:
- Wealth
- Urban planning
- Royal court magnificence
Q4. The Battle of Raichur was fought during the reign of which ruler?
A. Harihara II
B. Devaraya II
C. Krishnadevaraya
D. Rama Raya
Answer: C. Krishnadevaraya
Explanation:
- The Battle of Raichur (1520 CE) was fought between:
- Vijayanagara Empire under Krishnadevaraya
- Bijapur Sultanate under Ismail Adil Shah
- The conflict centered around the fertile and strategic Raichur Doab located between:
- Krishna River
- Tungabhadra River
- Krishnadevaraya decisively defeated Bijapur and captured Raichur.
- The victory demonstrated:
- Peak military strength of Vijayanagara.
- Effective artillery and infantry organization.
- Portuguese travellers recorded the enormous size and discipline of Vijayanagara’s army.
Q5. Which foreign traveller visited Vijayanagara during the reign of Devaraya II?
A. Domingo Paes
B. Nicolo Conti
C. Fernao Nuniz
D. Duarte Barbosa
Answer: B. Nicolo Conti
Explanation:
- Italian traveller Nicolo Conti visited Vijayanagara during the early 15th century.
- He described:
- Massive fortifications
- Prosperous markets
- Large population
- Another important visitor during Devaraya II’s reign was:
- Abdur Razzaq, ambassador from Persia.
- Important travellers associated with Vijayanagara:
| Traveller | Associated Ruler |
| Nicolo Conti | Devaraya I/II period |
| Abdur Razzaq | Devaraya II |
| Domingo Paes | Krishnadevaraya |
| Fernao Nuniz | Achyuta Raya period |
