Question

Explain the administration of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Describe the division of the empire under the Vijayanagara kings
• Talk about the governor and his powers
• Elaborate on the amara-nayaka system

Solution:

• For efficient administration, the empire was divided into mandalam (province), which were further divided into nadus (districts), sthala (sub-districts) and grama (villages).
• Each province had a governor. Initially, they were princes, but later, nobles and feudal vassals were appointed.
• These governors held courts, appointed officers, maintained armies, and issued their own coins of small denominations.
• The Imperial Council and the Council of Ministers assisted the king.
• The Council of Ministers though small, played a more important role than the Imperial Council, whose functions were more ceremonial in nature.
• They also started with the amara-nayaka system so the king could get soldiers, elephants and horses from the military chiefs (Nayaks) during a battle.