Vijayanagara Empire

1. Which of the following poet was given the title of 'Andhra Kavita Pitamah' by Krishnadev Ray ? [Raj. P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

Correct Answer: (a) Allasani Peddana

Solution:The rule of Krishnadev Rai is known as the golden age of Telugu literature. Eight Telugu poets regarded as eight pillars of his literary assembly and known as Ashtadiggajas. Among these eight poets, Allasani peddana is considered to be the greatest. He is given the title of Andhra Kavita Pitamah. Krishnadev Rai himself composed an epic Telugu poem Amuktamalyada.

2. Abdur Razzaq visited Vijayanagara during the reign of [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010]

(a) Devaraya-I
(b) Devaraya-II
(c) Krishnadeva Raya
(d) Vira Vijaya

Correct Answer: (b) Devaraya-II

Solution:Persian ambassador Abdurrazzaq visited Vijayanagara during the reign of Devaraya-II (1422-46 AD). Devaraya-II belonged to Sangama dynasty.

Deva Raya II ruled the Vijayanagara Empire from 1425 to 1446 CE. He was the most powerful ruler of the Sangama dynasty, and he was a skilled administrator, warrior, and scholar. He wrote well-known Kannada works (Sobagina Sone and Amaruka) as well as Sanskrit works (Mahanataka Sudhanidhi). He encouraged secular literature development, and the noted South Indian mathematician Parameshvara of the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics lived in his empire. He is also known as Prouda Devaraya.

3. Which among the following King's region Persian traveller 'Abdur Razzak' came to India ? [60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (c) Dev Rai-II

Solution:Persian ambassador Abdurrazzaq visited Vijayanagara during the reign of Devaraya-II (1422-46 AD). Devaraya-II belonged to Sangama dynasty.

Deva Raya II ruled the Vijayanagara Empire from 1425 to 1446 CE. He was the most powerful ruler of the Sangama dynasty, and he was a skilled administrator, warrior, and scholar. He wrote well-known Kannada works (Sobagina Sone and Amaruka) as well as Sanskrit works (Mahanataka Sudhanidhi). He encouraged secular literature development, and the noted South Indian mathematician Parameshvara of the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics lived in his empire. He is also known as Prouda Devaraya.

4. Who was Nicolo Conti ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

(a) A famous painter
(b) An Italian traveller who visited Vijayanagara empire
(c) A Portuguese
(d) A Persian traveller

Correct Answer: (b) An Italian traveller who visited Vijayanagara empire

Solution:Nicolo Conti or Niccolo dei Conti was an Italian traveller who visited India during the time of Deva Raya-I. He visited the State of Vijayanagara (now in Humpi).

Nicolo De Conti was an adventurer and merchant from Italy. In 1420-1421 AD, he crossed the Arabian Sea to Cambay in Gujarat and reached India. He visited the kingdoms of Pacamuria, Helly, and Vijayanagara. Devaraya I was sworn on the throne of Vijayanagara at the time. Here we will discuss more Nicolo De Conti, which will be useful to understand how foreigners viewed India from their perspective during ancient times.

5. According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert in which of the following areas ? [I.A.S. (Pre.) 2021]

1. Wrestling

2. Astrology

3. Accounting

4. Soothesaying

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1,3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Solution:Farmao Nuniz visited the Vijayanagar empire during the reign of Achyuta Deva Raya. He described women being employed as dancers, domestic servants and palanquin bearers. They were also wrestlers, astrologers and soothsayers.

6. Who among these was famous for Telugu translation ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

1. Kamban

2. Kuttan

3. Nannaya

4. Tikkana

Choose the answer from the codes :

(a) only 1, 2
(b) only 2, 3
(c) only 3, 4
(d) only 4, 1

Correct Answer: (c) only 3, 4

Solution:Nannaya, Tikkana and Yerrapragada or Yerrann came to be known as the Kavi Traya meaning the trinity of poets or the three great poets. This Trinity translated the Mahabharata from Sanskrit into Telugu during the period of 11 to 14- century.

7. Sayana, the famous commentator of the Vedic texts, was patronized by - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]

(a) Paramara rulers
(b) Satavahana rulers
(c) Vijayanagara rulers
(d) Vakataka rulers

Correct Answer: (c) Vijayanagara rulers

Solution:Sayana was a great commentator on Vedas. Two brothers Hariharaa and Bukka laid the foundation of Vijayanagara Empire which was on the south bank of Tungabhadra river near Anegundi Fort. They were also known as Sangama brothers. It is said that a sage Madhav Vidyaranya and hisbrother Sayana were the inspirational sources of this empire.

8. Sayana, the famous commentator of the Vedic texts, flourished during the reign of : [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]

(a) The Chola kings
(b) The Gupta kings
(c) The Satavahana kings
(d) The Vijayanagara kings

Correct Answer: (d) The Vijayanagara kings

Solution:Sayana was a great commentator on Vedas. Two brothers Hariharaa and Bukka laid the foundation of Vijayanagara Empire which was on the south bank of Tungabhadra river near Anegundi Fort. They were also known as Sangama brothers. It is said that a sage Madhav Vidyaranya and hisbrother Sayana were the inspirational sources of this empire.

9. Who was enthroned 500 years ago ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]

(a) Hariharaa-I
(b) Krishnadeva Raya
(c) Kulottunga-I
(d) Rajaraya-I

Correct Answer: (b) Krishnadeva Raya

Solution:Krishnadeva Raya was the greatest emperor of Vijayanagara Empire who reigned from 1509-1529 AD. Hariharaa-1(1336- 1356 AD) and Bukka laid the foundation of Vijayanagara. Kulottunga-1 (1070-1120 AD) was the grandson of Chola emperor Rajendra-1. According to question 2008 was the year for completion of 500 yrs of Krishna dev Rai's coronation. But Hariharaa-1 & Kulottunga-I also completed their 500 yrs of coronation. Thus, there is an error in this question. Hence, the nearest answer will be option (b).

10. The famous battle held in 1565 is - [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]

(a) 1st Battle of Panipat
(b) Battle of Khanwa
(c) 2nd Battle of Panipat
(d) Battle of Talikota

Correct Answer: (d) Battle of Talikota

Solution:The battle of Talikota (1565), a watershed battle, was fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Deccan Sultanates (Barar was not included) resulted in the defeat of Vijayanagara and ended weakening one of the greatest Indian empires originating from southern India before the Maratha Empire. Talikota is situated in Karnataka near Vijayapura district.