Vijayanagara rulers claimed that they were ruling on behalf of
- A.Lord Murugan
- B.Lord Venkateshwara
- C.Shri Virupaksha
- D.Shri Vallabha
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, Shri Virupaksha. The rulers of Vijayanagara claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha, a form of Shiva and the guardian deity of Hampi.
The Virupaksha temple at Hampi stood at the heart of the capital long before the empire was founded in 1336. To show this link, the kings signed royal orders in Kannada with the words "Shri Virupaksha" instead of their own names. This claim gave their rule the blessing of the god and tied the kingdom to local religious tradition. The rulers also used the title "Hindu Suratrana", meaning Hindu sultan, showing how they borrowed the courtly style of their neighbours.
A is wrong because Murugan, or Kartikeya, is a deity worshipped mainly in Tamil Nadu, not the patron god of Vijayanagara. B is wrong because Venkateshwara of Tirupati received rich gifts from Krishnadeva Raya but was not the god the kings ruled for. D is wrong because Shri Vallabha was a title used by the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta kings.
Exam tip: Vijayanagara kings signed as "Shri Virupaksha"; the empire was founded by Harihara and Bukka in 1336.
Practice Questions
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- A.One
- B.Two
- C.All the three
- D.None
Show answer
Only the first pair is right: John Kay invented the flying shuttle.
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Show answer
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Show answer
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Show answer
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