Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms — Exercise Solutions Guide
Solve every exercise on your own first, then cross-check your answers here. Understanding why an answer is correct matters more than memorising it.
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who was the greatest ruler of the Sangama Dynasty?
(a) Bukka (b) Devaraya II (c) Harihara II (d) Krishna Devaraya
Q2. Which was the most common animal depicted on the pillars of the Vijayanagara style?
(a) Elephant (b) Horse (c) Cow (d) Deer
Q3. Who was the last ruler of the Sangama Dynasty?
(a) Rama Raya (b) Tirumaladeva Raya (c) Devaraya II (d) Virupaksha Raya II
Q4. Who ended the Sultanate in Madurai?
(a) Saluva Narasimha (b) Devaraya II (c) Kumara Kampana (d) Tirumaladeva Raya
Q5. Name the Bahmani King who was a linguist and a poet.
(a) Ala-ud-din Hasan Shah (b) Muhammad I (c) Sultan Firoz (d) Mujahid
Additional MCQs
Q6. The ______ kingdom spread all over the Maharashtra region and partly over Karnataka.
(a) Bahmani (b) Chola (c) Chera (d) Vijayanagar
Q7. Harihara and Bukka belonged to the ______ dynasty.
(a) Saluva (b) Sangama (c) Aravidu (d) Tughluq
Q8. After ______, the Vijayanagar empire went through a crisis.
(a) Harihara II (b) Virupaksha Raya II (c) Devaraya II (d) Gajapathi
Q9. ______ was the Gajapathi ruler of Odisha.
(a) Saluva Narasimha (b) Bukka (c) Narasa Nayaka (d) Prataparudra
Q10. ______ was the minor who ascended the throne of Vijayanagar.
(a) Achyuta Raya (b) Sadasiva Raya (c) Venkata I (d) Rama Raya
Q11. The site of the city of Vijayanagar was on the bank of the river ______.
(a) Krishna (b) Narmada (c) Godavari (d) Tungabhadra
Q12. ______ of the Aravidu dynasty moved to Chandragiri carrying all the treasures and wealth.
(a) Rama Raya (b) Sadasiva Raya (c) Tirumaladeva Raya (d) Achyuta Deva Raya
Q13. Vijayanagar's agricultural production was supplemented by numerous ______ industries.
(a) cottage-scale (b) large-scale (c) medium-scale (d) small-scale
Q14. ______ succeeded Bahman Shah.
(a) Ala-ud-din Hasan (b) Muhammad bin Tughluq (c) Muhammad Shah I (d) Mujahid
Q15. ______ was the noteworthy ruler of the Bahmani kingdom who ruled for 19 years.
(a) Muhammad III (b) Muhammad II (c) Mujahid (d) Muhammad Shah
II. Fill in the Blanks
1. ______ was the capital of the Aravidu dynasty.
After the Battle of Talikota, the Aravidu dynasty shifted the capital to Penukonda. Later, Tirumaladeva Raya moved it further to Chandragiri.
2. Vijayanagar emperors issued a large number of gold coins called ______.
The Varaha was a gold coin issued by Vijayanagar rulers. Foreign travellers like Abdur Razzaq and Domingo Paes noted the abundance of gold currency, reflecting the empire's prosperity.
3. Mahmud Gawan used ______ chemists to teach the preparation and use of gunpowder.
Mahmud Gawan employed Persian chemists to introduce gunpowder technology. He used it effectively in his war against the Vijayanagar kings at Belgaum, demonstrating the military advantage it provided.
4. In Vijayanagara administration, ______ looked after the affairs of villages.
The Gauda was the village headman who managed local affairs, collected taxes, and served as the link between the village grama sabha and higher administrative levels.
5. In 1565, the battle of ______ finally led the Deccan kingdoms to crush the Vijayanagar empire.
The Battle of Talikota (also called Rakasa Tangadi) in 1565 was a decisive defeat for Vijayanagar. The combined forces of the five Deccan sultanates destroyed the army and sacked Hampi.
6. ______ was the head of the Saivite Sringeri mutt.
Vidyaranya, the head of the Sringeri mutt, was the spiritual guide who inspired Harihara and Bukka to establish the Vijayanagar Empire and protect Hindu culture from foreign invasions.
7. ______ was the able commander of the Vijayanagar army.
Saluva Narasimha was a powerful military commander who took over the Vijayanagar throne from the weak last Sangama ruler, establishing the short-lived Saluva dynasty.
8. Battle of Talikota was also known as ______.
The battle is called Rakasa Tangadi after the two villages — Rakasa and Tangadi — near which the decisive conflict took place on the banks of the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab.
9. Hampi is in ruins and the ______ has declared it a heritage site.
Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. The ruins spread over 26 square kilometres and contain temples, palaces, and market streets.
10. In Vijayanagar administration, each province was administered by a governor called ______.
The Mandalesvara was the provincial governor who administered a mandalam (province) on behalf of the emperor. They maintained law and order, collected revenue, and commanded local military forces.
11. Krishna Devaraya wrote ______, an epic in Telugu.
Amuktamalyada is a Telugu epic composed by Krishna Devaraya. It deals with the story of Goda Devi (Andal) and also contains sections on political philosophy and governance.
12. Ala-ud-din Hasan was also known as ______.
Ala-ud-din Hasan, the founder of the Bahmani Sultanate, was also called Hasan Gangu. Legend says he was given this name by his patron, a Brahmin named Gangu.
13. Muhammad Shah I built two mosques at ______.
Gulbarga was the first capital of the Bahmani Sultanate. Muhammad Shah I constructed two mosques there, reflecting the Bahmani rulers' commitment to Islamic architecture and learning.
14. Mahmud Gawan's world-famous madrasa was in ______.
Mahmud Gawan built a grand madrasa in Bidar that became a renowned centre of learning. It housed a library with 3,000 manuscripts and attracted scholars from across the Islamic world.
III. True or False (with Corrections)
Q1. Harihara and Bukka were the founders of the Bahmani kingdom.
Q2. Krishnadeva Raya, who reigned for 20 years, was the most illustrious ruler of the Sangama dynasty.
Q3. Allasani Peddana was the greatest of all Astadiggajas.
Q4. Kingship of Vijayanagar administration was hereditary, based on the principle of primogeniture.
Q5. There were 18 monarchs of the Bahmani dynasty.
Additional True or False
Q6. Muhammad II's reign was peaceful.
Q7. Mahmud Gawan was well versed in Islamic theory.
Q8. The contribution of Bahmani kings to architecture is evident in Hampi.
Q9. The Golconda Fort is located in eastern Karnataka.
Q10. Shihab-ud-din Mahmud reigned as the sultan until his death.
IV. Match the Following
Textual
| # | Column A | Column B | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vijayanagara | City of victory | Vijayanagara → City of victory |
| 2 | Prataparudra | Ruler of Odisha | Prataparudra → Ruler of Odisha |
| 3 | Krishna Devaraya | Astadiggajas | Krishna Devaraya → Astadiggajas |
| 4 | Abdur Razzaq | Persian emissary | Abdur Razzaq → Persian emissary |
| 5 | Tenali Ramakrishna | Pandurangamahatyam | Tenali Ramakrishna → Pandurangamahatyam |
Additional Match the Following
| # | Column A | Column B | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penukonda | Capital of Aravidu dynasty | Penukonda → Capital of Aravidu dynasty |
| 2 | Varahas | Gold coins of Vijayanagar | Varahas → Gold coins of Vijayanagar |
| 3 | Gauda | Village headman | Gauda → Village headman |
| 4 | Mandalesvara | Provincial governor | Mandalesvara → Provincial governor |
| 5 | Mahmud Gawan | Bahmani Prime Minister | Mahmud Gawan → Bahmani Prime Minister |
V. Assertion and Reason
Q1. Assertion (A): The Vijayanagar army was considered one of the feared armies in India. Reason (R): Vijayanagar armies used both firearm and cavalry.
(a) R is not the correct explanation of A (b) R is the correct explanation of A (c) A is correct and R is wrong (d) A and R are correct but not related
Q2. Assertion (A): The already existing rivalry among nobles such as Deccanis and Pradesis further intensified. Reason (R): Mahmud Gawan curtailed the powers of the provincial chiefs who were mostly Deccanis.
(a) R is not the correct explanation of A (b) A is correct and R is wrong (c) R is the correct explanation of A (d) A and R are correct
Q3. Find the wrong pair:
(a) Silk — China (b) Spices — Arabia (c) Precious stone — Burma (d) Madurai Vijayam — Gangadevi
Q4. Find the odd one out: Harihara II, Muhammad I, Krishnadeva Raya, Devaraya I
Q5. Consider the following statements:
I. Turquoise throne is one of the bejewelled royal seats of Persian kings described in Firdausi's Shah Nama. II. The fertile regions between Krishna and Tungabhadra and Krishna-Godavari delta were zones of conflict among Vijayanagar and Bahmani rulers. III. Muhammad I was educated at Multan. IV. Mahmud Gawan served with great distinction as Prime Minister under Muhammad III.
(a) I, II are correct (b) I, II, III are correct (c) II, III, IV are correct (d) III, IV are correct (e) I, II and IV are correct
Q6. Consider the following statements:
I. The repressive measures of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq led to the rise of many independent states. II. Vijayanagara was called Vidyanagar initially. III. Saluva Narasimha replaced the Saluva dynasty with the Aravidu dynasty. IV. Muhammad Shah I's attack on Warangal earned him a large property and wealth.
(a) I, II and III correct (b) II and IV correct (c) I, II and IV correct (d) II, III and IV correct
Q7. Find the odd one out: Mandalams, Peshwa, Sthalas, Gramas
VI. Short Answer Questions
Q1. The four dynasties of the Vijayanagara kingdom with reference to prominent rulers.
| Dynasty | Period | Notable Ruler(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Sangama | 1336-1485 | Harihara I, Bukka I, Devaraya II |
| Saluva | 1485-1505 | Saluva Narasimha |
| Tuluva | 1505-1570 | Krishna Devaraya |
| Aravidu | 1570-1646 | Tirumaladeva Raya |
Q2. Battle of Talikota.
Q3. The structure of governance in the Vijayanagar kingdom.
Q4. Five independent kingdoms of the Deccan Sultanate.
Q5. The educational reforms of Ala-ud-din Hasan Shah.
Additional Short Answers
Q6. Name the five sultanates into which the Bahmani kingdom split.
Q7. What led to the final collapse of the empire about 1646?
Q8. Write a short note on the economic condition of the Vijayanagar kingdom.
Q9. Give an account of the irrigation policies of the Vijayanagar empire.
Q10. Describe the growth of trade in the Vijayanagar empire.
Q11. Why did Mahmud Gawan divide the Bahmani sultanate into eight provinces?
Q12. Mention the salient features of Mahmud Gawan's madrasa in Bidar.
Q13. Write a short note on the Golconda Fort.
VII. Detailed Answers
Q1. Discuss the career and achievements of Krishna Devaraya.
Krishna Devaraya (1509-1529) was the most illustrious ruler of the Tuluva dynasty. His reign of 20 years marked the golden age of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Military Achievements:
- He brought independent chieftains in the Tungabhadra river basin under his control.
- He defeated Prataparudra, the Gajapathi ruler of Odisha, capturing Udayagiri and Kondavidu.
- He freed Bahmani Sultan Mahmud Shah from imprisonment and restored him to the throne.
- With the help of Portuguese gunners, he defeated the Sultan of Golconda and captured Raichur from Bijapur.
As a Builder:
- Built huge irrigation tanks and reservoirs for rainwater harvesting.
- Constructed famous temples: Krishnaswamy, Hazara Ramaswamy, and Vithalaswamy at Hampi.
- Erected Rayagopurams (towering temple gateways) across South India.
- The Vithala temple features a Mahamandappa with 56 pillars and a stone rath with carved wheels.
As a Patron of Literature:
- The eight eminent scholars known as Astadiggajas adorned his court, including Allasani Peddana and Tenali Ramakrishna.
- He himself wrote Amuktamalyada (a Telugu epic) and Jambavati Kalyanam (a Sanskrit drama).
Q2. Describe the contribution of Vijayanagar rulers to architecture.
The temple-building activity of the Vijayanagar rulers produced a distinctive architectural style:
1. Pillars and Piers — Large numbers of ornately sculptured pillars became the hallmark. The horse was the most common animal depicted on pillars. 2. Mandapams — Open pavilions with raised platforms for seating the deity on special occasions. 3. Kalyana Mandapams — Marriage halls with elaborately carved pillars became a standard feature. 4. Rayagopurams — Lofty pyramidal tower gateways reaching up to ten storeys, such as the gopuram at Ekambaranath temple (188 feet). 5. Monolithic Pillars — Shafts served as central cores for groups of statuary depicting gods, heroes, and battle scenes. 6. Temples built outside Hampi — Vellore, Kumbhakonam, Kalahasti, Srirangam, Conjeevam, and Virinchipuram all feature Vijayanagara-style temples.
Q3. Give an account of the eight ministers of the Bahmani state.
| Minister | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Vakil-us-saltana | Lieutenant — the immediate subordinate authority of the sovereign |
| Peshwa | Associated with the lieutenant of the kingdom |
| Waziri-kull | Supervised the work of all other ministers |
| Amir-i-jumla | Minister of finance |
| Nazir | Assistant minister for finance |
| Wasir-i-ashraf | Minister of foreign affairs |
| Kotwal | Chief of police and city magistrate in the capital |
| Sadr-i-jahan | Chief justice and minister of religious affairs and endowments |
VIII. Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)
Q1. Discuss the causes of the decline of the Vijayanagar rule. To what extent did the Bahmani sultans contribute?
The decline of Vijayanagar was caused by multiple factors, with the Bahmani sultans playing a major role:
1. Territorial rivalry — Both kingdoms claimed the Raichur Doab (the fertile region between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers). Both also wanted Golconda for its gold mines. 2. Religious differences — The Hindu Vijayanagar and the Muslim Bahmani sultanate viewed each other with suspicion, leading to religious jealousy alongside territorial ambition. 3. Battle of Talikota (1565) — The Deccan sultans (successors of the Bahmani kingdom) formed a united league and decisively defeated Vijayanagar. Hampi was sacked and the empire never recovered. 4. Weak successors — After Krishna Devaraya, subsequent rulers were weak and ineffective. 5. Internal dissensions — Court intrigues, succession disputes, and the de facto rule by Rama Raya weakened central authority. 6. Intrigues by Bijapur and Golconda — These sultanates exploited Vijayanagar's internal divisions, eventually leading to the final collapse around 1646.
The Bahmani sultans and their successor states were the primary external factor in Vijayanagar's decline.
Q2. Arrange the names of the following rulers in chronological order: (1) Mujahid, (2) Muhammad Shah I, (3) Shihab-ud-din Mahmud, (4) Muhammad III
Muhammad Shah I → Mujahid → Muhammad III → Shihab-ud-din Mahmud
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Confusing Sangama and Tuluva dynasties — Krishna Devaraya belonged to the Tuluva dynasty, NOT the Sangama dynasty. The Sangama dynasty ended with Virupaksha Raya II.
2. Mixing up the Bahmani and Vijayanagar rulers — Muhammad I, Sultan Firoz, and Mahmud Gawan are Bahmani figures. Harihara, Bukka, Devaraya II, and Krishna Devaraya are Vijayanagar rulers.
3. Saying "Spices came from Arabia" — Spices came from the Malabar region of India. Arabia was a trade intermediary, not the source of spices.
4. Confusing Peshwa (Bahmani) with Peshwa (Maratha) — The Peshwa in the Bahmani administration was a minister, while in the Maratha system the Peshwa was the Prime Minister who eventually became the de facto ruler.
5. Saying the Battle of Talikota destroyed the Bahmani kingdom — The Battle of Talikota destroyed Vijayanagar, not the Bahmani kingdom. By 1565, the Bahmani kingdom had already fragmented into five Deccan sultanates.
6. Confusing Vidyaranya with Vidyanagar — Vidyaranya was the spiritual guru of Harihara and Bukka. Vijayanagar was initially called Vidyanagar in his honour.
7. Forgetting that Mahmud Gawan was assassinated — He was killed by Deccani nobles who were jealous of his power and resented his reforms that curtailed their authority.
8. Mixing up Varahas (gold coins) with other currencies — Varahas were the gold coins specifically issued by the Vijayanagar emperors. Do not confuse them with other coin types.
9. Confusing the four and eight provinces of the Bahmani Sultanate — Originally there were four provinces. Mahmud Gawan divided them into eight for better administration. This reform angered the Deccani nobles.
Exam Checklist
- [ ] I can list the four dynasties of Vijayanagar in chronological order with periods
- [ ] I can identify the founders of the Vijayanagar Empire (Harihara I and Bukka I)
- [ ] I can describe the career and achievements of Krishna Devaraya
- [ ] I can explain the Battle of Talikota and its significance
- [ ] I can describe the administrative structure of Vijayanagar (Mandalesvara, Gauda, grama sabha)
- [ ] I can list the five Deccan sultanates that emerged from the Bahmani kingdom
- [ ] I can explain Mahmud Gawan's reforms and his madrasa in Bidar
- [ ] I can identify key Bahmani rulers: Ala-ud-din Hasan, Muhammad Shah I, Sultan Firoz, Muhammad III
- [ ] I can explain the features of Vijayanagara architecture (horse pillars, Rayagopurams, mandapams)
- [ ] I can describe the economic condition of Vijayanagar (Varahas, trade, cottage industries)
- [ ] I can match historical figures correctly (Astadiggajas, Abdur Razzaq, Tenali Ramakrishna)
- [ ] I can handle Assertion-Reason questions about the two kingdoms
- [ ] I can distinguish Vijayanagar rulers from Bahmani rulers in identification questions
- [ ] I can explain the causes of the decline of the Vijayanagar Empire
- [ ] I can name the eight ministers of the Bahmani state and their roles
- [ ] I can write about the irrigation and trade policies of Vijayanagar