The amara-nayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the raya. They collected taxes and other dues from peasants, craftspersons and traders in the area. Some of the revenue was also used for the maintenance of temples and irrigation works. The amara-nayakas sent tribute to the king annually and personally appeared in the royal court with gifts to express their loyalty. However, during the course of the seventeenth century, many of these nayakas established independent kingdoms. This hastened the collapse of the central imperial structure.
A line on how the amara-nayakas used the revenue they kept has been left out of the passage. Which of the following is that line?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → They retained part of the revenue for personal use and for maintaining a stipulated contingent of horses and elephants.
Option (1) They retained part of the revenue for personal use and for maintaining a fleet of ships on the western coast. — Incorrect. The amara-nayakas kept a land force of horses and elephants for the king. A fleet of ships was not their duty.
Option (2) They retained part of the revenue for personal use and for maintaining a stipulated contingent of archers and foot soldiers. — Incorrect. The contingent they had to keep was of horses and elephants. Archers and foot soldiers were not the fixed contingent.
Option (3) They retained part of the revenue for personal use and for building forts along the Tungabhadra. — Incorrect. Forts were held by the nayakas, but the revenue they kept was meant for personal use and the horse and elephant contingent.
Option (4) They retained part of the revenue for personal use and for maintaining a stipulated contingent of horses and elephants. — Correct. The amara-nayakas kept part of the revenue for themselves and for a <strong>stipulated contingent of horses and elephants</strong>. These troops gave the kings an effective fighting force.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.3 The rayas and the nayakas … |