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An Imperial Capital : Vijayanagara
Question
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Explain how Krishnadeva Raya’s death affected the Vijayanagara empire.

Answer

After the death of Krishnadeva Raya in 1529, the royal structure withnessed tensions. The royal inheritors had to face opposition from rebellious heroes and commanders. As a result, the control of Aravidu Dynasty was established over Vijayanagara by 1524. It held its control over the royal authority till the 17th century. Even during this period, the relations between the rulers of Vijayanagara and the Sultans of the Deccan remained strained because they nurtured ambitions which vacillated balance between the two time and again. At last a friendship was established between the rulers of Vijayanagara and the Sultans of the Deccan.

In 1565, the army of Vijayanagara, under the leadership of chief minister Ram Raya fought at Rakshashi-Tangari which is also known as Talikota. Here it was defeated by the armies of the Sultans of Bijapur, Ahmednagar and Golkunda. The victorius soldiers attacked Vijayanagara and looted it abundantly. The city was completely destroyed in a few years. Now the centre of empire moved towards the east. Here Aravidu Dynasty ruled from Penunkonda and after it Chandragiri near Tirupati.

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Some More Questions From An Imperial Capital : Vijayanagara Chapter

What are the architectural traditions that inspired the architects of Vijayanagara? How did they transform these traditions?

What impression of the lives of the ordinary people of Vijayanagara can you cull from the various descriptions in the chapter?

On an outline map of the world, mark approximately Italy, Portugal, Iran and Russia.Trace the routes the travellers mentioned on p.176 would have taken to reach Vijayanagara.

Find out more about any one of the major cities which flourished in the subcontinent during c. fourteenth-seventeenth centuries. Describe the
architecture of the city. Are there any features to suggest that these were political centres? Are there buildings that were ritually significant? Is there
an area for commercial activities? What are the features that distinguish the urban layout from that of surrounding areas?

Visit a religious building in your neighbourhood. Describe, with sketches, its roof, pillars and arches if any, corridors, passages, halls, entrance, water supply, etc. Compare these features with those of the Virupaksha temple. Describe what each part of the building is used for. Find out about its history.

Give a brief description of Lotus Mahal, situated in the Royal Centre in the Vijayanagara empire.

Mention two characteristic features of the temple complexes in Vijayanagara.

Mention any two ceremonies performed on the occasion of Mahanavami dibba. 

Who were 'amaranayakas1 on Vijayanagara Empire? Mention any one function they performed.

Mention any two features about the location of the city ofVijayanagara.