UPSC Prelims 2015 Q47: Medieval History – Vijayanagara Empire
Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna
and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the
river Krishna was supposed to belong?
- (a) Amoghavarsha I
- (b) Ballala II
- (c) Harihara I
- (d) Prataparudra II
Answer: (c) Harihara I
Explanation
Founder of Vijayanagara
Harihara I of the Sangama dynasty founded Vijayanagara in 1336, with his brother Bukka.
The city stood on the south bank of the Tungabhadra, a tributary of the Krishna.
| Clue in the question | Fact |
|---|---|
| New city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna | Vijayanagara (Hampi) on the Tungabhadra |
| Agent of a deity | He ruled on behalf of Lord Virupaksha |
| Land south of the Krishna | Claimed as the god's domain |
The other rulers:
| Ruler | Dynasty | Capital |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Amoghavarsha I | Rashtrakuta | Manyakheta |
| (b) Ballala II | Hoysala | Dwarasamudra |
| (d) Prataparudra II | Kakatiya | Warangal |
Vijayanagara kings signed royal orders as 'Shri Virupaksha'.
Answer: (c) Harihara I.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Amoghavarsha I was a Rashtrakuta king who ruled from Manyakheta.
- (b) Incorrect. Ballala II was a Hoysala ruler, not the founder of a new city on the Tungabhadra.
- (c) CORRECT. Harihara I founded Vijayanagara and ruled as the agent of Virupaksha.
- (d) Incorrect. Prataparudra II was the last Kakatiya ruler of Warangal.
Key point
Harihara I and Bukka (Sangama dynasty) founded Vijayanagara in 1336 on the Tungabhadra; kings ruled in the name of Lord Virupaksha.
Remember
Harihara I founded Vijayanagara (1336).
Common mistakes
- Not identifying the tributary as the Tungabhadra.
- Confusing the Sangama founders with later Tuluva rulers such as Krishna Deva Raya.
- Forgetting the role of the god Virupaksha in royal authority.
Exam tip
Tributary of Krishna + new city + deity = Tungabhadra, Vijayanagara, Virupaksha.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History Part II, Ch 7 (An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara)
- Burton Stein — Vijayanagara (The New Cambridge History of India)