Explain main features of the Sacred Centre.
(a) The site of Vijayanagara was inspired by the shrines of Virupaksha and Pampadevi. The northern end of the city touched the banks of the Tungabhadra. It was a rocky and hilly area. According to a local tradition, the kingdoms of Bali and Sugriva, mentioned in the Ramayana, existed in these hills. There is another tradition that Pampadevi, the local mother goddess, did penance in these hills in order to marry Virupaksha, the guardian deity of the kingdom. The marriage was annually celebrated in the Virupaksha temple. Besides there were Jaina temples in the pre-Vij ayanagara period. In other words, this area was associated with many sacred traditions. Hence it is called the Sacred Centre.
(b) The very choice of the site of Vijayanagara was inspired by these sacred traditions and temples. The kings of Vijayanagara claimed to rule on behalf of the god, Virupaksha. They signed all royal orders as “Shri Virupaksha.” They often signed in the Kannad script. However the rulers ofVijayanagara not only developed but also innovated the earlier traditions. They displayed royal portrait sculpture in the temples. The visit of the kings to temples was treated as an important occasion. So he was accompanied by all the important nayakas.
Who were Nayakas and Amara-Nayakas? Describe their role in the administration of Vijayanagara Empire.
Explain the social and economic conditions of Vijayanagara.
In which circumstances Vijayanagara kingdom was founded? Who were its famous rulers and to which dynasties they belonged?
Or
Describe the stages by which the Vijayanagara empire was built.1. How tanks were built
About a tank constructed by Krishnadeva Raya, Paes wrote :
The king made a tank-at the mouth of two hills so that all the water which comes from either one side or the other collects there; and, besides this, water comes to it from more than three leagues (approximately 15 kilometres) by pipes which run along the lower parts of the range outside. This water is brought from a lake which itself overflows into a little river. The tank has three large pillars handsomely carved with figures; these connect above with certain pipes by which they get water when they have to irrigate their gardens and rice-fields.
In order to make this tank the said king broke down a hill.....In the tank I saw so many people at work that there must have been fifteen or twenty thousand men, looking like ants.Questions:
(i) Explain briefly where the tank was constructed.
(ii) Explain briefly the sources of water for the tanks.
(iii) Explain in briefly the advantages of constructing tanks.
