Chapter 7 of Class 12 History “An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara” discusses the Vijayanagara Empire, which was a medieval Hindu empire that ruled much of the region of Southern India from 1336 to 1646. The empire was founded by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, and at its peak, it covered the lands of the modern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, and some parts of Telangana and Maharashtra. The empire’s capital city was Vijayanagara, whose extensive ruins are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka.
It is an important topic of Class 12 History NCERT. Students can go through this article to get comprehensive notes on Class 12 History Notes Chapter 7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara.
Chapter 7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara| Class 12 History Notes
The Discovery of Hampi
In 1800, Colonel Colin Mackenzie, an engineer and antiquarian, discovered the ruins at Hampi through his survey map. He collected information from priests of the Virupaksha temple and the shrine of Pampadevi. Photographers began recording the monuments in 1856, enabling scholars to study them. Epigraphists began collecting inscriptions from the temples in 1836. Historians combined this information with accounts of foreign travelers and literature in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Sanskrit to reconstruct the city’s history. Mackenzie appointed the first Surveyor General of India in 1815, focused on collecting local histories and surveying historic sites to better understand India’s past and improve governance. Studying Vijayanagara provided valuable information on Indian institutions, laws, and customs, which still influence the population today.
Rayas, Nayakas, and Sultans
The Vijayanagara Empire, founded in 1336 by brothers Harihara and Bukka, included people from various languages and religious traditions. The empire competed with contemporary rulers for control of fertile river valleys and overseas trade resources. The rulers of Vijayanagara borrowed ideas and building techniques from powerful states like the Cholas and Hoysalas, which extended patronage to elaborate temples. They built on these traditions and expanded them.
Kings and Traders
During the Middle Ages, horse imports from Arabia and Central Asia were important for warfare. Arab traders and local merchants, known as kudirai chettis, initially controlled this trade. Portuguese traders arrived in 1498, establishing trading and military stations. Vijayanagara, known for its markets in spices, textiles, and precious stones, was a status symbol for its wealthy population.
The Apogee and Decline of the Empire
The polity of Vijayanagara was ruled by a series of dynasties, including the Sangama dynasty, the Saluvas, and the Tuluvas. Krishnadeva Raya, a member of the Tuluva dynasty, was a key figure in the kingdom, characterized by expansion and consolidation. He built temples and established a township near Vijayanagara. However, tensions arose after his death in 1529, and by 1542, control shifted to the Aravidu dynasty. The military ambitions of Vijayanagara rulers and the Deccan Sultanates led to shifting alignments, leading to an alliance against Vijayanagara. In 1565, Vijayanagara was destroyed by the combined armies of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, and Golconda. Despite religious differences, relations between the Sultans and the rayas were not always hostile. Rama Raya’s adventurous policy led to the Sultans’ decisive defeat.
The Rayas and the Nayakas
The Vijayanagara Empire had military chiefs, known as nayakas, who controlled forts and had armed supporters. They often moved between areas and were often accompanied by peasants seeking land. The amara-nayaka system was a significant political innovation, likely derived from the Delhi Sultanate’s iqta system. These chiefs collected taxes and dues from peasants, craftspeople, and traders, and maintained a contingent of horses and elephants. They sent tribute annually and occasionally transferred their control. However, many nayakas established independent kingdoms, causing the empire’s collapse.
Vijayanagara The Capital and its Environs
Like other capitals, Vijayanagara had a unique physical design and architectural style.
Water Resources
Vijayanagara is a city in the north-easterly direction of the Tungabhadra river, surrounded by granite hills and streams. Embarkments were built along these streams to create reservoirs. Rainwater was stored and directed to the city, with the most important tank being the Kalamapuram tank. The Hiriya canal, built by Sangama dynasty kings, drew water from a dam across the Tungabhadra to irrigate the cultivated valley.
Fortifications and Roads
The city of Vijayanagara was surrounded by seven lines of fortifications, including seven lines that encircled the city, its agricultural hinterland, and forests. The outermost wall connected the hills surrounding the city, while the inner portion was made of earth packed with rubble. The fortification was particularly significant as it enclosed agricultural tracts, such as fields, gardens, and houses. The rulers of Vijayanagara adopted a more expensive strategy of protecting the agricultural belt itself, rather than building large granaries within fortified areas. The fort was entered through well-guarded gates, which linked the city to major roads. The architecture introduced by the Turkish Sultans was known as Indo-Islamic and grew continually through interaction with local building practices. Archaeologists have studied roads within the city and those leading out from it, identifying them through gateways and pavements.
The Urban Core
Archaeological evidence suggests that the urban core was occupied by rich traders and Muslims, with tombs and mosques resembling those in Hampi temples. The area was dotted with shrines and small temples, suggesting various cults supported by different communities. Field surveys also show wells, rainwater tanks, and temple tanks as sources of water for ordinary town dwellers.
The Royal Centre
The royal centre in the south-western settlement housed over 60 temples, important for rulers to establish authority through association with shrines. About thirty palaces were large structures, not associated with ritual functions, and were constructed entirely of masonry, unlike temples.
The Mahanavami Dibba
The “king’s palace” is the largest enclosure in the area, with two impressive platforms, the “audience hall” and the “mahanavami dibba.” The audience hall is a high platform with wooden pillars, and the “mahanavami dibba” is a massive platform rising from 11,000 sq. ft to 40 ft. It is believed to have supported a wooden structure. The structure was likely associated with rituals during Mahanavami, a Hindu festival in September and October. The Vijayanagara kings displayed their prestige, power, and suzerainty during this occasion. The “mahanavami dibba” was the center of this elaborate ritual, but the space surrounding it was not adequate for elaborate processes. The structure remains a mystery.
Other Buildings in the Royal Centre
The Lotus Mahal, named by British travelers in the 19th century, may have been a council chamber for the king. The royal centre also housed several temples, including the Hazara Rama temple, intended for the king and his family. Despite destruction during the city’s sack, nayakas continued the tradition of building palatial structures, many of which have survived.
The Sacred Centre
The following describes the sacred center as Gopurans and Mandapas:
Choosing a Capital
The northern end of Vijayanagara, located on the Tungabhadra, is associated with sacred traditions and temple building. The region has a long history dating back to dynasties like the Pallavas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas, and Cholas. Rulers often encouraged temple building as a means of associating themselves with the divine and serving as centers of learning. Temples developed as significant religious, social, cultural, and economic centers, and rulers often granted land and resources for their maintenance. The choice of the site of Vijayanagara was likely inspired by the presence of the shrines of Virupaksha and Pampadevi.
Gopurams and Mandapas
Temple architecture during this period saw the development of massive structures, such as raya gopurams, royal gateways, mandapas, and pillared corridors. Two notable temples are the Virupaksha temple and the Vitthala temple. The Virupaksha temple, built over centuries, was expanded with the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire. The halls in the temple were used for various purposes, including hosting special programs, celebrating deity marriages, and displaying special images. The Vitthala temple, dedicated to the principal deity Vitthala, was also significant, with several halls and a unique shrine designed as a chariot. The temple complexes featured chariot streets, paved with stone slabs and lined with pillared pavilions for merchants. The rulers of Vijayanagara continued to elaborate on fortification traditions and temple building.
Plotting Palaces, Temples and Bazaars
Vijayanagara, a site of national importance, has been extensively researched through surveys, photographs, plans, and inscriptions. The Archaeological Survey of India and the Karnataka Department of Archaeology and Museums have preserved the site, which was recognized as a site of national importance in 1976. In the early 1980s, a project was launched to document the material remains of Vijayanagara through extensive surveys. The mapping process involved dividing the area into 25 squares, each designated by a letter of the alphabet, and subdividing them into smaller units. The study of wooden elements and stone structures at Vijayanagara provides insights into the vibrant life of the times.
Questions in Search of Answers
Buildings provide information into the organization, use, materials, and techniques of spaces, assessing a city’s defense requirements and military preparedness. They also reveal the spread of ideas and cultural influences, often conveying ideas and symbols influenced by their cultural context. However, investigations of architectural features do not reveal what ordinary people, including those living in the city and its outskirts, thought about these impressive buildings or the enterprises they contributed their labor to.
Conclusion – Class 12 History Notes Chapter 7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara
In conclusion, the Vijayanagara Empire was a Hindu empire that ruled South India for over two centuries. It was founded in 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, and reached its peak under Krishnadevaraya in the early 16th century. The empire was known for its wealth, power, and cultural achievements. The Vijayanagara Empire was a major power in South India for over two centuries. At its peak, it controlled most of the region, from the Krishna River in the north to the Cauvery River in the south. The empire was also a major center of trade and commerce.
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Chapter 7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara- FAQs
What is the focus of Class 12 History Chapter 7?
Chapter 7 focuses on “An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara,” examining the rise, governance, and cultural significance of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Why is Vijayanagara considered an imperial capital?
Vijayanagara served as the capital of one of the largest and most powerful empires in medieval South India, known for its grandeur and influence.
Who were the founders of the Vijayanagara Empire?
The founders were Harihara and Bukka, two brothers who established the empire in the 14th century.
What were the key features of Vijayanagara’s governance?
Vijayanagara had a centralized administration, with a hierarchical system of governance and efficient revenue collection.
How did Vijayanagara contribute to South Indian art and architecture?
It patronized the construction of magnificent temples, palaces, and monuments, blending Dravidian and Indo-Islamic architectural styles.
What was the significance of Vijayanagara’s trade and economy?
Vijayanagara’s strategic location facilitated trade networks, making it a prosperous center for commerce and cultural exchange.
What led to the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire?
The empire faced internal conflicts, invasions by neighboring powers, and economic decline, leading to its eventual collapse in the 16th century.
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