Which of the following statements about Amaranayakas of Vijayanagara are correct? 1. The Amaranayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the Raya. 2. In lieu of their service and also to maintain their contingents, they were paid in cash. 3. They maintained stipulated contingents and elephants. 4. They used to send tribute to the king annually and personally appeared in the royal court with gifts to express their loyalty. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.1, 2 and 3 only
- B.1, 3 and 4 only
- C.2 and 4 only
- D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, 1, 3 and 4 only. The amara-nayakas were paid with territory to govern, not with cash, so statement 2 is the one that is wrong.
The amara-nayaka system was a key feature of Vijayanagara rule and drew on the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate. The raya gave military commanders areas to govern. They collected taxes and other dues from peasants, craftspeople and traders there, kept part of the revenue for their own use and for maintaining a fixed contingent of horses and elephants, and used part for temples and irrigation works. They sent tribute to the king every year and appeared at court with gifts to show loyalty. Kings sometimes moved them from one area to another to keep them in check.
A is wrong because it includes statement 2 and leaves out statement 4. C is wrong because statement 2 is wrong and statements 1 and 3 are correct. D is wrong because it includes statement 2.
Exam tip: amara-nayakas got land to govern, kept horses and elephants, paid yearly tribute; the idea echoes the Sultanate iqta.
Practice Questions
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Select the correct answer using the code given below :
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