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.

Given
Identify how the Vijayanagara state extended control to the village level.

Concept/Approach
The 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 Answer
Nayaka (Nayankara) system of military-feudal chiefs.