Question

Consider the following statements with reference to the Vijayanagara Kingdom:

1. The Vijayanagar rulers produced a new style of architecture called a Dravida style.

2. In Lepakshi, near Hindupur, in present Andhra Pradesh, there are glorious examples of Vijayanagara paintings on the walls of the Shiva temple.

3. Their capital city, Vijayanagar, stood on the north bank of river Tungabhadra.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 2 only

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 1 and 2 only

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.

• The Vijayanagar rulers were great builders. During this period, palaces, temples, huge halls (mahamantapa), forts, towers, public buildings, dams, tanks, and canals were constructed.
• The Vijayanagar rulers produced a new style of architecture called a Dravida style. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The chief characteristics of the Vijayanagara architecture were the construction of tall Raya Gopurams or gateways and the Kalyanamandapam.
• The sculptures on the pillars were carved with distinctive features.
  • The horse was the most common animal to be depicted on the pillars.
• During the period of the Vijayanagar kings, temples were built in Hampi, Shringeri, Tirupati, Kalahasti, Nandi, Kolar, Srishaila, etc.
• The finest temples of Vijayanagara are in Hampi, which has been designated as a World Heritage City.
• The important features of the Vijayanagara style of temple architecture are monolithic pillars, ornate bracelets, and decoration on the exterior side of the walls.
• Paintings at the Virabhadra temple and Lepakshi temple show the excellence of Vijayanagar painters.
• The Vijayanagar rulers inscribed the stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata on the walls of the various temples.
• In Lepakshi, near Hindupur, in present Andhra Pradesh, there are glorious examples of Vijayanagara paintings on the walls of the Shiva temple. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

 

• Their capital city, Vijayanagar, stood on the south bank of river Tungabhadra. Hence, statement 3 is NOT correct.

​

• Krishnadeva Raya was a great builder.
• He founded the town Nagalapura (near Vijayanagar), in memory of his mother, Nagamba, and built tanks, gopurams, and temples in various parts of the empire.
  • The most famous among these temples are the Vittalaswamy temple and Virupaksha temples.
• The famous Hazara temple, built during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya, is, as remarked by Longhurst, “one of the most perfect specimens of Hindu temple architecture in existence”.
• We can form an idea of the architectural achievements of the Vijayanagara rulers and the ruins of Hampi from the accounts of foreign travelers, Nicolo Conti and Abdur Razak.