Field surveys of the part of Vijayanagara where ordinary town dwellers lived show that the entire area was dotted with numerous shrines and small temples. What do historians infer from this?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → A variety of cults was prevalent there, perhaps supported by different communities
Option (1) The rulers were legitimising their authority by building these shrines — Incorrect. Rulers used temple patronage to legitimise their authority, but that is said of the royal centre with its over 60 temples. The small shrines of the town dwellers point to their own cults.
Option (2) The area may have formed part of the sacred centre of the city — Incorrect. The sacred centre was a separate zone of the city. This area was where ordinary people lived, so its shrines tell us about their worship.
Option (3) A variety of cults was prevalent there, perhaps supported by different communities — Correct. Many small shrines of different kinds show that a variety of cults existed side by side. Each was perhaps supported by a different community of town dwellers.
Option (4) The area may have been occupied by rich traders who built the shrines — Incorrect. Rich traders are linked with the north-eastern corner of the urban core, where fine Chinese porcelain was found. Shrines spread over the whole area point to many cults of the town dwellers.
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