Unit 4: The Vijayanagara Empire and Thereafter (1336-1799)

Question

The Vijayanagara Empire: Origin, Rulers, and Politics

1. Discuss the origins and aspirations of the Vijayanagara Empire and the role of Vidyaranya in its establishment.
2. Examine the political achievements of Harihara and Bukka in laying the foundation of the Vijayanagara Empire.
3. Discuss the contributions of Immadi Devaraya to the expansion and consolidation of the Vijayanagara Empire.
4. Analyze the administrative reforms and achievements of Krishnadevaraya.
5. Evaluate the impact of the Battle of Talikote on the Vijayanagara Empire and its consequences.
6. Discuss the significance of Aliya Ramaraya’s reign and his role in the Battle of Talikote.
7. Examine the foreign accounts of Vijayanagara. How do they contribute to our understanding of the empire’s culture and administration?
8. How did the Vijayanagara Empire manage relations with neighboring states? Discuss with examples.
9. Discuss the challenges faced by the Vijayanagara Empire in maintaining its territorial integrity.
10. Analyze the role of Vijayanagara rulers in promoting religious harmony.

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The Glory of Vijayanagara: Capital, Administration, Society, and Economy

11. Describe the grandeur of Vijayanagara’s capital city and its significance.
12. Discuss the administrative structure of the Vijayanagara Empire. How did it contribute to its stability?
13. Examine the social structure of Vijayanagara society and its implications.
14. Discuss the economic policies of the Vijayanagara Empire and their impact on trade and commerce.
15. How did Vijayanagara’s economy benefit from its trade relations with foreign countries?
16. Analyze the revenue system of the Vijayanagara Empire. How effective was it?
17. Discuss the role of women in Vijayanagara society.
18. Examine the caste dynamics within the Vijayanagara Empire.
19. Discuss the role of agriculture and irrigation in Vijayanagara’s economic prosperity.
20. Analyze the Vijayanagara Empire’s patronage of the merchant class and its impact on the economy.

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Art, Literature, and Culture in Vijayanagara

21. Discuss the contributions of the Vijayanagara Empire to literature and scholarship.
22. Examine the unique characteristics of Vijayanagara architecture with examples.
23. How did sculpture reflect the cultural ethos of the Vijayanagara Empire?
24. Discuss the role of music and dance in the Vijayanagara Empire’s cultural landscape.
25. Examine the influence of the Vijayanagara Empire on South Indian painting styles.
26. Analyze the contributions of the Vijayanagara Empire to Kannada and Telugu literature.
27. Discuss the importance of religious art in Vijayanagara architecture.
28. Examine the significance of festivals and cultural practices in Vijayanagara society.
29. Discuss how the artistic contributions of Vijayanagara influenced later South Indian art.
30. Examine the role of temple architecture in the cultural life of Vijayanagara.

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Religious Sects: Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhwacharya, and Veerashaivism

31. Discuss the contributions of Shankaracharya to Hindu philosophy and religious thought.
32. Analyze the impact of Ramanujacharya’s teachings on the Vaishnavism movement in South India.
33. Examine the role of Madhwacharya in promoting Dvaita philosophy in Karnataka.
34. Discuss the influence of Sri Basaveshvara on the Veerashaiva movement in Karnataka.
35. Examine the role of the Vachana movement in promoting social equality.
36. Discuss the contributions of the Haridasa movement to Kannada literature and music.
37. Analyze the role of Kalamukha and Shakta sects in Karnataka’s religious history.
38. Discuss the significance of the Pashupatha sect in Karnataka’s religious landscape.
39. Examine the socio-religious impact of Veerashaivism in medieval Karnataka.
40. Analyze the contributions of the Haridasa saints to Bhakti literature in Karnataka.

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The Bahmani Shahis and Mahmud Gawan

41. Discuss the origins and political achievements of the Bahmani Shahis in the Deccan.
42. Analyze the administrative contributions of Mahmud Gawan in the Bahmani Sultanate.
43. Examine the role of Mahmud Gawan in promoting education and culture.
44. Discuss the architectural contributions of the Bahmani Shahis to Karnataka.
45. Analyze the significance of the Bahmani Empire’s contributions to Deccan art and culture.
46. Examine the influence of Persian culture on the Bahmani Sultanate’s administration.
47. Discuss the challenges faced by the Bahmani Shahis in consolidating their rule in the Deccan.
48. Analyze Mahmud Gawan’s policies and their impact on the Bahmani Sultanate’s stability.
49. Discuss the contributions of the Bahmani rulers to religious tolerance.
50. Evaluate Mahmud Gawan’s role as a reformer and administrator in the Bahmani Sultanate.

Answer 1

The Adil Shahis of Bijapur

51. Discuss the political achievements of the Adil Shahi rulers in Bijapur.
52. Analyze the architectural contributions of the Adil Shahis to Karnataka.
53. Examine the Adil Shahi dynasty’s patronage of literature and scholarship.
54. Discuss the role of the Adil Shahis in promoting cultural synthesis in Karnataka.
55. Analyze the impact of the Adil Shahi dynasty on the socio-religious fabric of Karnataka.
56. Discuss the role of Sufism in the Adil Shahi kingdom.
57. Examine the contributions of the Adil Shahis to art and architecture in Bijapur.
58. Discuss the influence of Persian and Turkish styles in Adil Shahi architecture.
59. Analyze the role of Bijapur as a cultural center under the Adil Shahi dynasty.
60. Discuss the legacy of the Adil Shahis in Karnataka’s cultural history.

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Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar and the Nayakas of Keladi and Chitradurga

61. Discuss the contributions of Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar to Mysore’s cultural and economic growth.
62. Analyze the administrative reforms introduced by Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar.
63. Examine the contributions of the Nayakas of Keladi to Karnataka’s political landscape.
64. Discuss the military achievements of the Nayakas of Chitradurga.
65. Analyze the socio-cultural contributions of the Wodeyars to Karnataka.
66. Examine the role of Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar in promoting Kannada literature.
67. Discuss the importance of the Nayakas in resisting external invasions.
68. Analyze the architectural contributions of the Nayakas in Karnataka.
69. Discuss the influence of the Nayakas on the local administration of Karnataka.
70. Examine the role of the Wodeyars in Karnataka’s socio-political history.

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Rani Chennamma, Sangolli Rayanna, and the Yalahanka Nadaprabhu

71. Discuss the legacy of Rani Chennamma of Kittur as a symbol of resistance against British rule.
72. Analyze the contributions of Sangolli Rayanna to the freedom struggle in Karnataka.
73. Examine the socio-political challenges faced by Rani Chennamma during her reign.
74. Discuss the role of the Yalahanka Nadaprabhu in shaping Karnataka’s local administration.
75. Analyze the significance of Rani Chennamma’s rebellion in Karnataka’s history.
76. Discuss the contributions of Sangolli Rayanna in mobilizing local resistance.
77. Examine the legacy of Rani Chennamma and Sangolli Rayanna in Karnataka’s freedom struggle.
78. Discuss the impact of British policies on the resistance movements led by Rani Chennamma and Sangolli Rayanna.
79. Analyze the military strategies used by Rani Chennamma against British forces.
80. Discuss the socio-political contributions of the Yalahanka Nadaprabhu.

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Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan

81. Discuss the rise of Hyder Ali and his contributions to the Kingdom of Mysore.
82. Examine the administrative and military reforms introduced by Hyder Ali.
83. Discuss the contributions of Tipu Sultan to Mysore’s economic development.
84. Analyze Tipu Sultan’s efforts in modernizing the Mysore army.
85. Discuss Tipu Sultan’s resistance against British colonial expansion.
86. Examine the technological advancements introduced by Tipu Sultan in Mysore.
87. Analyze the impact of Hyder Ali’s rule on Karnataka’s social structure.
88. Discuss the economic policies implemented by Tipu Sultan.
89. Examine Tipu Sultan’s diplomatic relations with foreign powers.
90. Discuss the legacy of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in Karnataka’s history.

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Religion, Society, and Culture

91. Discuss the impact of Vijayanagara’s religious policies on Karnataka’s cultural landscape.
92. Analyze the role of the Haridasa movement in shaping Karnataka’s spiritual life.
93. Examine the influence of Sufism on Karnataka’s cultural and religious heritage.
94. Discuss the contributions of the Bhakti and Sufi traditions to religious harmony in Karnataka.
95. Analyze the role of religious sects in shaping Vijayanagara’s social policies.
96. Discuss the significance of religious festivals in Vijayanagara society.
97. Examine the impact of temple patronage on Vijayanagara’s cultural life.
98. Analyze the influence of Vijayanagara’s religious tolerance on South Indian society.
99. Discuss the role of foreign travelers in documenting Vijayanagara’s religious practices.
100. Examine the contributions of various religious sects to Karnataka’s cultural heritage.