Class 12 History – Chapter 7 -Notes – An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara

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1. Introduction

• Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1565 CE) was one of the most powerful empires in South India.
• Founded by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty.
• Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River (present-day Hampi, Karnataka).
• The capital city of Vijayanagara was Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site today.
• Flourished as a political, economic, cultural, and religious centre of medieval South India.

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2. Political History

• Dynasties of Vijayanagara:
  1. Sangama Dynasty (1336–1485) – Founders Harihara and Bukka.
  2. Saluva Dynasty (1485–1505).
  3. Tuluva Dynasty (1505–1565) – Most glorious period under Krishnadeva Raya (1509–1529).
  4. Aravidu Dynasty (1570–1646).
• Krishnadeva Raya:
  • Considered the greatest ruler of Vijayanagara.
  • Titles: Andhra Bhoja, Karnataka Simha.
  • Patron of literature, art, and temple-building.
  • Wrote Amuktamalyada in Telugu.
  • Expanded empire, defeated Bahmani Sultans, and maintained strong relations with foreign traders.
• Decline:
  • Defeated in the Battle of Talikota (1565) by the combined forces of the Deccan Sultans (Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar, Berar).
  • Capital city Hampi was destroyed and plundered.

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3. Urban Architecture of Vijayanagara

• The city was divided into sacred centre (temples, religious monuments) and royal centre (palaces, administrative buildings).
• Built with stone and mortar instead of mud, ensuring durability.
• Roads, bazaars, fortifications, tanks, and temples showed advanced urban planning.

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4. Fortifications

• Vijayanagara had a complex defensive system:
  • Seven layers of massive fort walls surrounded the city.
  • Gates had archways and watchtowers.
  • Inner fort contained royal palaces and important administrative centres.
• Fortification included agricultural fields within the walls to sustain during sieges.

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5. Irrigation & Water Management

• The empire paid great attention to water supply in a dry region.
• Tanks, canals, and reservoirs constructed.
• Kamalaapuram tank, Hiriya canal – famous examples.
• Helped sustain agriculture and urban population.
• Temples and palaces also had stepped tanks for religious rituals and festivals.

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6. The Royal Centre

• Contained palaces, audience halls, and enclosures.
• Famous buildings:
  • Lotus Mahal – Indo-Islamic architecture, used as a social space for royal women.
  • Elephant Stables – Indo-Islamic arches and domes, housed royal elephants.
  • Hazara Rama Temple – personal temple of the royal family, decorated with Ramayana panels.
  • Mahanavami Dibba – massive stone platform where king witnessed processions, celebrations, and the famous Mahanavami festival.

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7. The Sacred Centre

• Temples were centres of both religious and economic life.
• Temples also acted as landowners, employers, and bankers.
• Major temples:
  • Virupaksha Temple – dedicated to Lord Shiva, still functional today.
  • Vittalaswamy Temple – famous for stone chariot and musical pillars.
  • Hazara Rama Temple – royal temple with Ramayana carvings.

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8. Religion & Culture

• Patronage to both Shaivism and Vaishnavism.
• Also support for Jainism.
• Bhakti movement was active – saints like Purandara Dasa and Kanaka Dasa composed devotional songs.
• Literature flourished in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Sanskrit.
• Women also participated in religious and cultural activities.

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9. Social & Economic Life

• Society was highly stratified but flexible.
• Women participated in temple management, dance (Devadasis), and even administration.
• The empire was very rich in agriculture and trade.
• Crops: rice, wheat, cotton, arecanut, spices.
• Internal trade (bazaars inside fort walls) and external trade with Portuguese, Arabs, Chinese.
• Exported: cotton textiles, spices, precious stones, horses.
• Used gold coins (Pagodas) and copper coins.

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10. Nayaka System & Amaranayakas

• Nayaka System:
  • Local military chiefs (Nayakas) controlled forts and collected taxes.
  • Maintained soldiers and gave tribute to the king.
• Amaranayakas:
  • Similar to feudal lords, granted land (Amaram) in return for military service.
  • Played an important role in administration and military strength.

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11. Relations with Deccan Sultans

• Constant conflict with Bahmani Sultanate and successor states (Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, Bidar, Berar).
• Despite wars, there was cultural exchange – Indo-Islamic architecture in stables, palaces, and arches.
• Portuguese provided military supplies, especially horses and firearms.

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12. Foreign Travellers’ Accounts

• Many travellers visited Vijayanagara and left valuable records:
  • Nicolo Conti (Italy) – described prosperity.
  • Abdur Razzaq (Persia) – impressed by magnificence.
  • Domingo Paes (Portugal) – described Mahanavami Dibba and celebrations.
  • Fernao Nuniz (Portugal) – gave details about Krishnadeva Raya’s administration.
• Their writings give first-hand evidence of trade, festivals, architecture, and lifestyle.

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13. Important Literary Sources

• Amuktamalyada (by Krishnadeva Raya).
• Ramacharitamanas of Narahari (court poet).
• Local inscriptions and copper plate grants.

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14. Decline of Vijayanagara

• Main reasons:
  1. Defeat at Battle of Talikota (1565).
  2. Plunder of Hampi by Deccan Sultanates.
  3. Weak successors after Krishnadeva Raya.
  4. Internal rivalries among Nayakas.
• The empire continued under the Aravidu dynasty but lost power and significance.

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15. Legacy of Vijayanagara

• Vijayanagara left behind a rich heritage of temples, forts, and architecture.
• Hampi monuments today represent a fusion of Hindu and Indo-Islamic styles.
• Contributions to music (Carnatic tradition), dance, Bhakti poetry, irrigation techniques, and trade continue to be remembered.

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