Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms: RAS Prelims MCQs
61 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Vijayanagar Empire and the regional kingdoms cover the four dynasties, the great rulers, the struggle with the Bahmanis and the Rajput states of the north. Krishnadeva Raya’s campaigns, the Battle of Talikota, the Bahmani rise in 1347 and Maharana Kumbha and Sanga of Mewar are all tested.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 61 questions
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q21. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Select the correct option. Assertion (A): The Nayakas under the Vijayanagar Empire often posed a threat to the central authority during the reigns of weak kings. Reason (R): The Nayakas maintained their own armies, collected taxes within their territories, and were essentially autonomous regional powers.
Explanation
The Nayankara system inherently decentralized power by allowing Nayakas to control local resources and maintain private armies. During the reigns of strong monarchs like Krishnadeva Raya, these officials remained loyal. However, when central authority weakened under less capable rulers, the autonomous nature of the Nayakas allowed them to withhold revenue, defy imperial orders, and eventually assert independence, contributing to the empire’s political fragmentation.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q22. Identify the odd one out among the following terms related to the territorial divisions of the Vijayanagar Empire:
Explanation
Mandalam, Valanadu, and Nadu were traditional South Indian administrative units used by the Vijayanagar Empire, largely inherited from the Chola administrative legacy. These terms designated provinces, large districts, and smaller districts respectively. In contrast, ‘Paragana’ is an administrative term primarily associated with the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire, representing a different geographic and political tradition of governance.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q23. Consider the following statements regarding the revenue and economic system of Vijayanagar: I. Land revenue was the primary source of income for the state. II. The central revenue department was known as the ‘Athavana’. III. Land revenue was generally fixed at half of the total agricultural produce. IV. Professional taxes, such as those on potters and shoemakers, were strictly abolished. V. Commercial taxes were collected at market towns and ports. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Land revenue was the most critical income source, managed by the central ‘Athavana’ department. The state also collected various commercial taxes at active ports and market towns. While land revenue was high, it was generally fixed at one-sixth of the produce according to traditional law, rather than half. Additionally, numerous professional and social taxes, including those on artisans and marriages, were commonly levied.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q24. Which of the following definitions best explains the term ‘Sist’ in the context of the Vijayanagar Empire?
Explanation
‘Sist’ was the term used for the standard land revenue assessment in the Vijayanagar Empire. It represented the state’s share of agricultural produce and was the primary pillar of the imperial economy. The assessment was based on detailed land surveys that accounted for soil fertility and irrigation facilities. This systematic taxation provided the necessary funds for maintaining the large military and financing grand architectural projects.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q25. Which of the following taxes was NOT typically levied by the Vijayanagar state?
Explanation
The Vijayanagar state practiced a policy of religious pluralism and generally did not impose the Jizya, which was a specific tax levied on non-Muslims in Islamic states. Instead, the empire’s revenue was derived from land taxes, professional taxes on various trades, customs duties at maritime ports, and social taxes such as those on marriages. This diverse tax base supported the complex needs of the vast imperial administration.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q26. Match the items in List I with those in List II and select the correct answer using the options given below.
Economic/Revenue Term
Meaning
A. Athavana
i. The military department
B. Kandachara
ii. Standard gold coin of the empire
C. Pagoda/Varaha
iii. Revenue department
D. Amaram
iv. Land granted for military service
Explanation
The Athavana was the central department responsible for revenue administration. Kandachara referred to the military department that oversaw army organization. The Varaha, also known as the Pagoda, was the standard gold coin used for high-value transactions. Amaram denoted the land grants provided to military commanders in exchange for their service. These terms highlight the organized nature of Vijayanagar’s fiscal and military structures.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q27. The famous Hazara Rama temple, known for its intricate bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana, was built by which Vijayanagar ruler?
Explanation
The Hazara Rama temple was built by Krishnadeva Raya in the early 16th century within the royal enclosure of Hampi. It was designed primarily as a private place of worship for the royal family. The temple is renowned for its beautifully sculpted outer walls, which contain multiple rows of bas-reliefs depicting episodes from the Ramayana, showcasing the high artistic standards of the Tuluva period.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q28. Match the items in List I with those in List II and select the correct answer using the options given below.
Vijayanagar Monument
Key Architectural Feature
A. Vittalaswami Temple
i. Blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural elements
B. Virupaksha Temple
ii. Musical pillars and a stone chariot
C. Lotus Mahal
iii. Massive platform used for royal ceremonies during Navaratri
D. Mahanavami Dibba
iv. Earliest shrine expanded significantly by Krishnadeva Raya
Explanation
The Vittalaswami temple is famous for its stone chariot and musical pillars that emit different notes when struck. The Virupaksha temple, an ancient shrine, was greatly expanded with a large gopuram by Krishnadeva Raya. The Lotus Mahal displays a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic styles, while the Mahanavami Dibba was a massive ceremonial platform used by the kings during the important Navaratri festivals.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q29. Which of the following pairs regarding Vijayanagar architecture is correctly matched?
Explanation
The iconic Stone Chariot, a masterpiece of Dravidian sculpture, is situated within the courtyard of the Vittalaswami temple complex at Hampi. In contrast, the Mahanavami Dibba was a ceremonial platform, not a granary. The Elephant Stables exhibit significant Indo-Islamic influences, such as arched openings and domes. Raya Gopurams were actually massive and highly decorative gateways, rather than small or unadorned structures.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q30. Which of the following statements best describes the primary architectural style of the Hampi monuments?
Explanation
The monuments of Hampi primarily follow the Dravidian style of architecture, characterized by towering Gopurams (gateways) and extensive pillared Mandapas (halls). A unique feature of this period was the use of composite pillars and monolithic carvings. While some secular structures incorporated Islamic architectural elements like arches and domes, the religious buildings remained firmly rooted in the classical South Indian temple-building traditions developed over centuries.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
21
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
22
(a) Paragana
23
(b) I, II, and V only
24
(b) The standard land revenue tax collected from peasants
25
(a) Jizya on non-Hindus
26
(c) A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv
27
(b) Krishnadeva Raya
28
(c) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
29
(d) Stone Chariot - Located within the Vittalaswami temple complex
30
(a) Dravidian style with high gopurams, pillared mandapas, and composite pillars
Key facts from Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Harihara and Bukka, founders of Vijayanagar, are said to have been feudatories of the Kakatiyas; the Raichur Doab between the Tungabhadra and Krishna was a zone of conflict with the Bahmanis.
Deva Raya II earned the title Gajabetegara; Krishnadeva Raya took the title Abhinava Bhoja and defeated Prataparudra Deva of Odisha and Ismail Adil Shah in 1520.
Saluva Narasimha, governor of Chandragiri, started the Saluva dynasty in the First Usurpation.
Sadasiva Raya was the de jure king at the Battle of Talikota in 1565.
The Bahmani Kingdom arose in 1347 after the revolt of the centurions against Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Sist was the standard land revenue tax; the Hazara Rama temple was built by Krishnadeva Raya; the Gol Gumbaz is at Bijapur.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms?
This page has 61 practice MCQs on Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms (Medieval Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who won the Battle of Raichur in 1520?
Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagar defeated Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur and captured the Raichur Doab, the fertile land between the Krishna and Tungabhadra. It is regarded as his greatest victory over the Deccan Sultanates.
Who was the king of Vijayanagar at Talikota?
Sadasiva Raya was the de jure ruler at the Battle of Talikota in 1565, though real power was held by Rama Raya of the Aravidu family. The defeat led to the sack of Hampi.
What was Sist in Vijayanagar?
Sist was the standard land revenue tax collected from peasants in the Vijayanagar Empire. Knowing such terms matters because the exam often asks for the meaning of a revenue term rather than a date.
