Scholars doubt whether the mahanavami dibba that stands today was the centre of the Mahanavami ritual. What reason do they give?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → The space around it seems too small for large processions
Option (1) The space around it seems too small for large processions — Correct. The festival had processions of armed men, women and many animals. The space around the platform does not seem adequate for them, so its use is doubted.
Option (2) Its inscriptions describe it as a council chamber of the king — Incorrect. No inscription gives this use. The council chamber idea belongs to the Lotus Mahal, from a map drawn by Mackenzie.
Option (3) It was built long after the Vijayanagara empire had fallen — Incorrect. The doubt concerns the space around it. The platform belongs to the royal centre of the Vijayanagara kings.
Option (4) It stands outside the walls of the royal centre — Incorrect. The mahanavami dibba stands in the royal centre itself, so its position raises no doubt.
NCERT (2026-27): “4.1 The mahanavami dibba … |