Q100. Which Vijayanagara ruler permitted the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2024]
A. Krishnadevaraya
B. Deva Raya I
C. Harihara II
D. Sadasiva Raya
Answer: A. Krishnadevaraya
Explanation: Krishnadevaraya maintained pragmatic relations with the Portuguese, partly because overseas commerce provided valuable warhorses and strengthened Vijayanagara’s military position against Deccan rivals.
Q99. Consider statements about the Mahanavami Dibba: it stood prominently in the royal centre; Virupaksha Temple was built on top of it. Which is correct?
[UPSC CAPF – 2024]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Answer: A. 1 only
Explanation: Mahanavami Dibba was a prominent ceremonial platform in the royal centre used for courtly displays. Virupaksha Temple was a separate sacred complex, not constructed upon it.
Q98. Vijayanagara rulers claimed they ruled on behalf of which deity?
[UPSC NDA-II – 2024]
A. Lord Murugan
B. Lord Venkateshwara
C. Shri Virupaksha
D. Shri Vallabha
Answer: C. Shri Virupaksha
Explanation: Vijayanagara rulers presented themselves as governing under the divine authority of Virupaksha, a form of Shiva whose ancient temple remained central to Hampi’s sacred landscape.
Q97. Which statements regarding Krishnadevaraya’s campaigns are correct: he fought Odisha; captured Raichur in 1520; intervened in Deccan Sultanate politics?
[UPSC NDA – 2024]
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 and 2 only
Answer: C. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Krishnadevaraya campaigned successfully against Odisha and Bijapur, captured Raichur and intervened in Deccan affairs, earning great military prestige during Vijayanagara’s high point.
Q96. Sangama, Saluva and Tuluva were ruling dynasties associated with which empire?
[Chhattisgarh PSC Prelims – 2024]
A. Warangal
B. Kashmir
C. Vijayanagara
D. Bengal
Answer: C. Vijayanagara
Explanation: Sangama, Saluva and Tuluva were the first three ruling houses of Vijayanagara. They were followed by the Aravidu dynasty after the sixteenth-century political crisis.
Q95. Which traveller stated that Vijayanagara society included women wrestlers, astrologers and fortune-tellers?
[RPSC Assistant Professor History – 2024]
A. Niccolò de’ Conti
B. Abdur Razzaq
C. Nuniz
D. Barbosa
Answer: C. Nuniz
Explanation: Portuguese chronicler Fernao Nuniz recorded striking information about social life, including women’s involvement in wrestling, astrology, accounting and divination in Vijayanagara.
Q94. The Kamalapuram Tank was constructed under which South Indian empire?
[SSC MTS – 2024]
A. Vijayanagara
B. Bijapur
C. Bidar
D. Chola
Answer: A. Vijayanagara
Explanation: Kamalapuram Tank formed part of Vijayanagara’s sophisticated hydraulic system, supplying water for cultivation and urban needs in the dry landscape surrounding the imperial capital.
Q93. Which Portuguese traveller visited Vijayanagara during Krishnadevaraya’s reign?
[SSC MTS – 2024]
A. Domingo Paes
B. Niccolò de’ Conti
C. Marco Polo
D. Afanasy Nikitin
Answer: A. Domingo Paes
Explanation: Domingo Paes visited around 1520 and described Krishnadevaraya’s court, markets, military power, festivals and irrigation works, providing an invaluable contemporary account.
Q92. Hampi Utsava recreates the grandeur of which empire?
[SSC MTS – 2024]
A. Chalukya
B. Vijayanagara
C. Kadamba
D. Satavahana
Answer: B. Vijayanagara
Explanation: Hampi Utsava celebrates the heritage of the former Vijayanagara capital through cultural programmes reflecting the empire’s distinguished traditions of music, dance, architecture and royal festivities.
Q91. Before founding Vijayanagara, Harihara and Bukka are traditionally associated as ministers with which kingdom?
[SSC MTS – 2024]
A. Kampili
B. Kadamba
C. Western Chalukya
D. Eastern Ganga
Answer: A. Kampili
Explanation: Historical traditions associate the brothers with both Kakatiya service and the small kingdom of Kampili before the political upheavals that preceded Vijayanagara’s establishment.
