UPSC Prelims · General Studies

Ancient, medieval & culture

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History of India: ancient and medieval / Vijayanagara, Bahmani and the Deccan sultanates

Vijayanagara state, economy and society

Nayankara and amaram tenure, military chiefs, forts and the Amara-nayakas
Ayagar system of village functionaries and local administration
Land tax by land quality, industries tax on workshops, taxes on professions; fanam and varaha coins
Nicolo Conti, Abdur Razzaq, Paes, Nuniz and Barbosa on the city, court and women's roles
Hampi: sacred centre, royal centre, Mahanavami dibba, Lotus Mahal, elephant stables, water works (UNESCO)

Where to study

Lesson 12 Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms, pp. 5-20 (printed 1-16)
Lesson 12 Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms, 12.3 Administration (nayak system), pp. 14-15 (printed 10-11)
Lesson 12 Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms, 12.3 Administration (ayagar system and village administration), pp. 14-15 (printed 10-11)
Lesson 12 Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms, 12.4 Society and Economy (taxation and coins), pp. 15-16 (printed 11-12)
Lesson 12 Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms, Sources (travellers' accounts), pp. 5-6 (printed 1-2)
Lesson 12 Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms, Sources (Hampi, the site of Vijayanagara), p. 6 (printed 2)

Theme 7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara, 2. Rayas, Nayakas and Sultans (amara-nayakas), pp. 2-7 (printed 171-176)
Theme 7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara, 2. Rayas, Nayakas and Sultans: Kings and traders, pp. 4-5 (printed 173-174)
Theme 7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara, 1. The Discovery of Hampi; 2. Rayas, Nayakas and Sultans (Paes, Nuniz, Abdur Razzaq, Barbosa), pp. 1-7 (printed 170-176)
Theme 7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara, 3. Vijayanagara: The Capital and its Environs; 4. The Royal Centre; 5. The Sacred Centre; 6. Plotting Palaces, Temples and Bazaars, pp. 7-22 (printed 176-191)