Vijayanagara administration: Instrument of royal control over villages. Through which mechanism did the Vijayanagara king exercise control over villages and local administration? Choose the correct mechanism.
General Knowledge
Indian History
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
-
AHereditary village headmen (only)
-
BTemple establishments (mathas) overseeing civil affairs
-
CNayaka (Nayankara) system of military-feudal chiefs
-
DDirect control by provincial governors without intermediaries
Answer
Correct Answer: Nayaka (Nayankara) system of military-feudal chiefs
Explanation
GivenIdentify how the Vijayanagara state extended control to the village level.
Concept/ApproachThe Nayaka (Nayankara) system assigned revenue/military obligations to nayakas, who acted as intermediaries ensuring order, tax collection, and military readiness, thereby projecting royal authority into localities and villages.
Common pitfalls
- Assuming only hereditary headmen; Vijayanagara relied on a layered chain of authority anchored by nayakas.
Final AnswerNayaka (Nayankara) system of military-feudal chiefs.