Class 12 History – Chapter 7 🌆 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara (NCERT Notes | CBSE)

Class 12 History – Chapter 7 🌆 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara (NCERT Notes | CBSE)

An Imperial Capital
Published on By Amresh Academy

 

📘 Class 12 History – Chapter 7

🌆 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara (NCERT / CBSE)

✳️ Vijayanagara

🔹 The Vijayanagara Empire was one of the most respected and illustrious kingdoms of South India. Its capital was Hampi.
🔹 Founded in 1336 AD by two brothers – Harihara & Bukka.
🔹 The rulers of Vijayanagara Empire were called Rayas (रायस).
🔹 Krishnadeva Raya was the most powerful ruler – under him the empire touched its glory.
🔹 After flourishing for nearly 250 years, in 1565, the empire suffered a heavy defeat and the capital Vijayanagara was burnt.
🔹 By the 16th century decline began, and the empire ended in the 17th century.

✳️ Karnataka Empire

🔹 Historians used the term Vijayanagara Empire, but contemporaries called it the Carnatic Empire.

✳️ History of Hampi

🔹 The name Hampi originated from the local mother goddess Pampa Devi.
🔹 Colin McKenzie (first Surveyor General of India) discovered Hampi in 1815.
🔹 Alexander Greenlaw took the first detailed photographs in 1856 – useful for scholars.
🔹 In 1876, J.F. Fleet collected inscriptions from temple walls.
🔹 John Marshall started conservation in 1902.
🔹 Declared a Site of National Importance (1976) & World Heritage Site (1986).

✳️ Discovery of Hampi

🔹 Ruins of Hampi brought to light by Colin McKenzie (1800 AD).
🔹 Sources used for history reconstruction:

  • Priests’ memories of Virupaksha & Pampadevi temples

  • Numerous inscriptions & temples

  • Accounts of foreign travelers

  • Literature in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Sanskrit

❇️ Colonel Colin McKenzie

🔹 Born in 1754 AD.
🔹 Famous as a historian, surveyor, cartographer (नक्शानवीस).
🔹 Became India’s first Surveyor General (1815–1821).

✳️ Imperial Center of Hampi

🔹 Located in south-western part of the city.
🔹 Contained 60+ temples & 30 palace complexes.
🔹 King’s palace – the largest enclosure, with:

  • Two platforms

  • Audience Hall

  • Mahanavami Dibba
    🔹 Other monuments: Kamal Mahal, Hazara Ram Mandir etc.

❇️ Mahanavami Dibba

🔹 A massive platform located at one of the highest points in Hampi.
🔹 Size: 11,000 sq. ft. base & 40 ft. height.
🔹 Venue for royal ceremonies & rituals.

❇️ Mahanavami Festival

🔹 Meaning: Nine-day festival (Navratri / Dussehra / Durga Puja).
🔹 Celebrated in autumn months (Sept–Oct).
🔹 Events & rituals included:

  • Idol worship & sacrifice of animals

  • Worship of state horse & buffalo

  • Dance, wrestling, competitions

  • Ceremonial gifts by subordinate kings

  • Military inspection on the last day
    🔹 Symbolic of the king’s power, prestige & authority.


✳️ Temples of Hampi 🛕

  • 🏛 Long history of temple construction – Pallavas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Cholas rulers encouraged temples.

  • 🌸 Temples = Religious + Social + Cultural + Economic + Educational centres (धार्मिक + सामाजिक + सांस्कृतिक + आर्थिक + शैक्षिक केंद्र).

  • 🙏 Virupaksha & Pampadevi Shrines → important sacred centres.

  • 👑 Vijayanagara kings claimed rule on behalf of Lord Virupaksha, used titles – “Hindu Sultan”, “Hindu Suratana” (Sanskritised form of Sultan).

  • 🏗 Rayas’ Gopurams & Mandapas → architectural highlights.

  • ✨ Krishnadeva Raya → built eastern gopuram & hall in Virupaksha temple.

  • 🎶 Temple halls → used for music, dance, drama & divine marriages.

  • 🛕 Vittala temple → dedicated to Vitthal (form of Vishnu, worshipped in Maharashtra).

  • ⚒️ Local Nayaks built splendid gopurams.

✳️ Hampi: A Site of National Importance 🇮🇳

  • 🏅 1976 – Hampi declared a site of national importance.

  • 🌍 For 20 years, global scholars worked to reconstruct Vijayanagara history.

  • 🏛 1980s – ASI used modern recording techniques → traced roads, bazaars, pathways.

  • 👨‍🎓 Scholars → John M Fritz, George Michell, MS Nagaraja Rao gave valuable observations.

  • 📜 Traveller accounts reveal vibrant life of Vijayanagara.

✳️ Geographical Structure & Architecture of Vijayanagara 🏞

  • 🏰 Distinctive physical layout + architectural style.

  • 🌊 Situated on Tungabhadra river basin (north-east flowing).

  • 💧 Driest region → rainwater storage developed → Kamalapuram tank, Hiriya canal.

  • ✍️ Persian ambassador Abdur Razzaq → impressed with 7 lines of fortifications.

  • 🌳 Fortified city included agriculture fields & forests.

  • 🕌 Gateway arches & domes → Indo-Islamic style (Turkish Sultanate influence).

  • 🏘 Evidence of common people’s houses less; described by Portuguese traveller Barbosa.

✳️ Dynasties & Rulers of Vijayanagara 👑

👉 4 Dynasties ruled:

  • Sangam Dynasty

  • Saluva Dynasty

  • Tuluva Dynasty

  • Aravidu Dynasty

  • 🏗 Sangam → foundation

  • 📈 Saluva → expansion

  • 🌟 Tuluva → peak glory

  • 📉 Aravidu → decline

⚠️ Decline causes → Weak successors, Bahmani rivalry, weak central govt.

❇️ Krishnadeva Raya (1509–1529) 🌟

  • Golden period → peace & prosperity.

  • Built magnificent temples, gopurams, Nagalapuram suburb.

  • After 1529 → rebellion by Nayakas (military chiefs).

  • By 1542 → Aravidu dynasty took control, ruled till 17th century.

❇️ Rai & Nayak ⚔️

  • Rai = Ruler of Vijayanagara 👑

  • Nayak = Military chiefs ⚔️

  • Controlled forts & had loyal supporters.

  • Moved frequently; peasants followed for fertile land.

  • Mostly spoke Telugu/Kannada.

  • Accepted suzerainty of Vijayanagara kings, but often rebelled.

✳️ Gajapati 🐘

  • Literally “Lord of Elephants”.

  • Powerful dynasty of Odisha (15th century).

✳️ Ashwapati 🐎

  • “Lord of Horses”.

  • Title for Deccan Sultans in Vijayanagara tradition.

✳️ Narpati 👥

  • “Lord of Men”.

  • Title used for Rayas of Vijayanagara.


❇️ Amar Nayak System ⚔️

  • Origin of word ‘Amar’ → from Sanskrit Samar (war/battle) & Persian Amir (high rank).

  • Major political system of Vijayanagara (inspired by Delhi Sultanate’s Iqta system).

  • Amarnayakas = military commanders 👑

    • Given territories for administration by the Rais (rulers).

    • Collected land revenue, taxes from farmers, artisans, traders.

    • Retained part of revenue for:

      • 🐘 Horses & elephants maintenance

      • 🛕 Temples & irrigation works

    • Rest sent to the king.

  • Had to present gifts annually in royal court 🎁 (as loyalty symbol).

  • King kept control by transferring Nayaks to new places.

  • ⚠️ But in 17th century → many Nayaks became independent rulers → led to weakening of central power.

❇️ Trade & Commerce 💰🌍

  • Main items traded → spices, textiles, precious gems.

  • Horses (Arabian breed) imported for warfare → traders called “Kudirai Chetties” 🐎.

  • Portuguese settled in Vijayanagara (from 1498 AD) → started playing major role in trade.

  • Military dependence on cavalry → horse trade very crucial.

  • Arab traders initially controlled it → later Portuguese took over (with superior guns 🔫).

❇️ Water Supply 💧

  • Two rivers → Krishna & Tungabhadra.

  • Krishnadeva Raya built dams → ensured irrigation + water supply.

✳️ Kamalapuram Reservoir 🌊

  • Built in early 15th century.

  • Irrigated nearby areas.

  • Water supplied via canal to Royal Centre.

❇️ Forts, Walls & Roads 🏰

  • Abdur Razzaq (Persian ambassador) → admired Vijayanagara’s 7 lines of fortifications.

  • Forts included:

    • 🌾 Agricultural lands inside (food security during siege).

    • ⛰️ Hills connected to outer walls.

    • No mortar used in construction (dry masonry).

  • Forts also had granaries to survive long sieges.

❇️ Gopuram & Mandap 🛕

  • New temple elements:

    • Raya Gopuram (royal gateways) → huge & visible from far distance.

    • Pavilions & pillared corridors → surrounded shrines.

  • Reflected state power & grandeur.

❇️ Major Temples of Vijayanagara 🌸

🛕 Virupaksha Temple

  • Built in 10th century.

  • Located near Hampi Bazaar (10 km radius).

  • Granite stone walls, painted with dance, war, hunting scenes 🎨.

  • Dedicated to Lord Shiva.

🛕 Vitthal Temple

  • Magnificent architecture, copper-plated walls.

  • Granite chariot of Sun God 🚩 (wheels still exist but now fixed).

  • Carvings: flowers 🌸, animals 🐘, women 👩.

  • Lit with 2500–3000 lamps inside.

  • Dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

❇️ Temple Features 🏛️

  • Shikhara (Peak) → high temple roof visible from afar.

  • Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhagriha) → inner chamber for main deity.

  • Auditoriums (Mandapas) → used for:

    • Music, dance, drama 🎭

    • Festivals, deity weddings 💍

    • Swinging rituals for idols.

❇️ Continuous Research 🔎

  • Surviving monuments reveal → materials, techniques, patrons, culture.

  • But limited info on → daily life, wages of artisans, transport of materials.

  • Ongoing research combines → architecture + inscriptions + travelers’ accounts.

❇️ Decline of Vijayanagara ⚠️

🔹 Causes

  1. Enmity with Bahmani rulers ⚔️

  2. Absolute monarchy (less public support)

  3. Weak successors after Krishnadeva Raya

  4. Invasions by Orissa & Bijapur

  5. Exhausting military campaigns vs Golconda & Bijapur

  6. Battle of Talikota (1565 AD) → Final blow

🔹 Battle of Talikota (1565 AD)

  • Vijayanagara (led by Rama Raya) vs Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golconda.

  • Vijayanagara defeated badly → city looted, destroyed within years.

  • Known as “Battle of Rakshasa-Tangadi”.

🔹 Consequences

  • Lakhs of soldiers killed ⚔️

  • Huge wealth plundered 💎

  • Capital shifted eastwards

  • Muslim powers dominated South India
Label :
Amresh Academy

0 comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)