Discuss whether the term “royal centre” is an appropriate description for the part of the city for which it is used

(i) I think the term royal centre is an appropriate description for the part of the city for which it is used.

(ii) One of the most beautiful buildings in the royal centre is the Lotus Mahal, so named by British travellers in the nineteenth century. While the name is certainly romantic, historians are not quite sure what the building was used for. One suggestion, found in a map drawn by Mackenzie, is that it may have been a council chamber, a place where the king met his advisers.

(iii)    While most temples were located in the sacred centre, there were several in the royal centre as well. One of the most spectacular of these is one known as the Hazara Rama Temple. This was probably meant to be used only by the king and his family.

(iv)    The images in the central shrine are missing : however, sculpted panels on the walls survive. These include scenes from the Ramayana sculpted on the inner walls of the shrine.

(v)    While many of the structures at Vijayanagara were destroyed when the city was sacked, traditions of building palatial structures were continued by the nayakas. Many of these buildings have survived.

(vi)    The royal centre was located in the southwestern part of the settlement. Although designated as a royal centre, it included over 60 temples. Clearly, the patronage of temples and cults was important for rulers who were trying to establish and legitimise their authority through association with the divinities housed in the shrines.