Vijayanagara Empire and Bahamani Kingdom – Important Points

Vijayanagara Empire:

Founding: The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, with Hampi as its capital.Dynasties: The empire had four major dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu.Krishna Deva Raya: The most famous ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, known for his military conquests, administrative reforms, and patronage of arts and culture.Administration: The empire was divided into provinces called ‘Rajyas,’ further subdivided into ‘Nadus’ and ‘Sthalas.’

Economy: The economy was mainly agrarian, with significant trade in spices, textiles, and precious stones.Religion: The empire supported Hinduism and built many temples, like the Virupaksha Temple and Vittala Temple.Decline: The empire declined after the Battle of Talikota in 1565, where the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates defeated Vijayanagara.Cultural Contributions: The empire is known for its contributions to art, architecture, and literature, especially during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya.

Foreign Relations: The empire maintained diplomatic relations with foreign powers, including the Portuguese.Military: The empire had a well-organized army with cavalry, infantry, and war elephants.

Bahamani Kingdom:

Founding: The Bahamani Kingdom was established in 1347 by Alauddin Bahman Shah, with Gulbarga (later Bidar) as its capital. Dynasties: The kingdom was ruled by five dynasties: Bahman Shah, Muhammad Shah, Mujahid Shah, Firoz Shah, and Ahmed Shah.Administration: The kingdom was divided into provinces called ‘Tarafs,’ each governed by a ‘Tarafdar.’Economy: The economy was based on agriculture, trade, and taxation, with notable exports of cotton, textiles, and horses.Religion: The Bahamani Kingdom was predominantly Muslim, but it also supported Hindu subjects and built mosques, tombs, and madrasas.

Conflict with Vijayanagara: The Bahamani Kingdom frequently clashed with the Vijayanagara Empire, especially over control of the Raichur Doab.Art and Architecture: The kingdom is known for its Persian-influenced architecture, including the Gol Gumbaz and Bidar Fort.Cultural Contributions: The kingdom promoted Persian culture, language, and literature.Decline: The kingdom gradually weakened due to internal strife and was eventually divided into five Deccan Sultanates.Military: The kingdom had a strong military, with skilled archers and a significant cavalry force.

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Question and Answers

1 Mark Questions:

1. Q: Who founded the Vijayanagara Empire?
   1. A: Harihara I and Bukka Raya I.
2. Q: What was the capital of the Bahamani Kingdom?
   1. A: Gulbarga (later Bidar).
3. Q: Name the most famous ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire.
   1. A: Krishna Deva Raya.
4. Q: In which year was the Battle of Talikota fought?
   1. A: 1565.
5. Q: What was the main religion supported by the Vijayanagara Empire?
   1. A: Hinduism.
6. Q: Which Bahamani ruler moved the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar?
   1. A: Ahmed Shah.
7. Q: Name one famous temple built during the Vijayanagara Empire.
   1. A: Virupaksha Temple.
8. Q: What was the primary language promoted by the Bahamani Kingdom?
   1. A: Persian.
9. Q: What is the Gol Gumbaz known for?
   1. A: Its large dome.
10. Q: Which dynasty was the last to rule the Vijayanagara Empire?
    1. A: Aravidu Dynasty.

2 Mark Questions:

1. Q: Describe the significance of the Battle of Talikota.
   1. A: The Battle of Talikota in 1565 marked the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire as they were defeated by the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates.
2. Q: What were the main economic activities in the Vijayanagara Empire?
   1. A: The economy was primarily agrarian, with significant trade in spices, textiles, and precious stones.
3. Q: How did the Bahamani Kingdom contribute to the spread of Persian culture in India?
   1. A: The Bahamani Kingdom promoted Persian culture through language, literature, and architecture, influencing the Deccan region.
4. Q: What were the major causes of conflict between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Bahamani Kingdom?
   1. A: The conflicts were mainly over control of the fertile Raichur Doab region and the desire for dominance in the Deccan.
5. Q: Name two architectural contributions of the Vijayanagara Empire.
   1. A: The Vittala Temple and Hampi monuments.
6. Q: Explain the administrative structure of the Bahamani Kingdom.
   1. A: The kingdom was divided into provinces called ‘Tarafs,’ each governed by a ‘Tarafdar’ who was responsible for administration and revenue collection.
7. Q: What role did the Portuguese play in the Vijayanagara Empire?
   1. A: The Portuguese had diplomatic relations and trade agreements with the Vijayanagara Empire, particularly in spices and horses.
8. Q: Why is Krishna Deva Raya considered one of the greatest rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire?
   1. A: He was known for his military successes, patronage of arts, administrative reforms, and religious tolerance.
9. Q: What led to the decline of the Bahamani Kingdom?
   1. A: The decline was due to internal strife, succession disputes, and eventually, the division of the kingdom into five Deccan Sultanates.
10. Q: Mention any two Persian-influenced structures built by the Bahamani rulers.
    1. A: The Gol Gumbaz and the Bidar Fort.

5 Mark Questions:

1. Q: Discuss the administrative system of the Vijayanagara Empire.
   1. A: The Vijayanagara Empire was divided into provinces called ‘Rajyas,’ further subdivided into ‘Nadus’ and ‘Sthalas.’ The administration was highly centralized with a king at the top, assisted by ministers. Local administration was managed by Nayakas, who governed smaller regions and were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, and providing military support.
2. Q: Explain the cultural contributions of the Vijayanagara Empire.
   1. A: The Vijayanagara Empire is renowned for its contributions to art, architecture, and literature. Temples like the Virupaksha and Vittala Temple are examples of their architectural excellence. The empire also promoted literature in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Sanskrit. The reign of Krishna Deva Raya was particularly notable for the flourishing of arts and culture, with works like “Amuktamalyada” being composed during this period.
3. Q: Describe the significance of the Raichur Doab in the conflicts between Vijayanagara and the Bahamani Kingdom.
   1. A: The Raichur Doab, a fertile region between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers, was a significant point of conflict between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Bahamani Kingdom. Its fertile land and strategic location made it highly desirable, leading to repeated battles between the two powers. Control of the region shifted multiple times, reflecting the intense rivalry between these kingdoms.
4. Q: Compare the economic systems of the Vijayanagara Empire and the Bahamani Kingdom.
   1. A: Both the Vijayanagara Empire and the Bahamani Kingdom had agrarian economies but also engaged in significant trade. The Vijayanagara Empire traded in spices, textiles, and precious stones, while the Bahamani Kingdom was known for cotton, textiles, and horse trade. The Vijayanagara Empire had a more extensive trade network, including relations with the Portuguese, whereas the Bahamani Kingdom was more focused on internal trade and its connections with the Persian Gulf.
5. Q: How did the Bahamani Kingdom contribute to the development of Deccan architecture?
   1. A: The Bahamani Kingdom made significant contributions to Deccan architecture, blending Persian styles with local traditions. The Gol Gumbaz, known for its large dome, and the Bidar Fort are prime examples. The kingdom also built mosques, tombs, and madrasas, reflecting their Persian influence. The architecture from this period had a lasting impact on the subsequent Deccan Sultanates.