Read the passage and answer the question:
Krishnadeva Raya's rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation. This was the time when the land between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers (the Raichur doab) was acquired (1512), the rulers of Orissa were subdued (1514) and severe defeats were inflicted on the Sultan of Bijapur (1520). Although the kingdom remained in a constant state of military preparedness, it flourished under conditions of unparalleled peace and prosperity. Krishnadeva Raya is credited with building some fine temples and adding impressive gopurams to many important South Indian temples.
Why did the kingdom, referred to in the paragraph, remain in a constant state of military preparedness?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → To maintain the balance of power in favour of the kingdom in the contemporary politics of South India.
The passage lists Krishnadeva Raya’s wars: the Raichur doab was won, the rulers of Orissa were subdued and the Sultan of Bijapur was defeated. The Vijayanagara kings competed with contemporary rulers – the Sultans of the Deccan and the Gajapati rulers of Orissa – for control of the fertile river valleys and the wealth of overseas trade, so the kingdom had to stay ready for war.
Option (1) Due to constant threat posed by the British East India Company. — Incorrect. The rivals named are the rulers of Orissa and the Sultan of Bijapur. The British East India Company was no power in South India in the time of Krishnadeva Raya, who ruled from 1509 to 1529.
Option (2) Due to abundance of military supplies from Central Asia to this region. — Incorrect. The passage mentions no supplies from Central Asia. Plentiful supplies would explain how an army was equipped, not why the kingdom had to be ready for war all the time.
Option (3) Due to poor revenue administration on part of the ruling dynasty. — Incorrect. The kingdom flourished under conditions of unparalleled peace and prosperity; nothing in the passage points to poor revenue administration, and weak finances would make an army harder, not easier, to keep.
Option (4) To maintain the balance of power in favour of the kingdom in the contemporary politics of South India. — Correct. Surrounded by rival kingdoms that fought for the same river valleys and trade, the kingdom stayed in a constant state of military preparedness to keep the upper hand over them.
NCERT (2026-27): “2. Rayas, Nayakas and Sultans … On their northern frontier, the Vijayanagara kings competed with contemporary rulers – including the Sultans of the Deccan and the Gajapati rulers of Orissa – for control of the fertile river valleys and the resources generated by lucrative overseas trade.… 2.2 The apogee and decline of the empire … Krishnadeva Raya belonged to the Tuluva dynasty. Krishnadeva Raya’s rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation. This was the time when the land between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers (the Raichur doab) was acquired (1512), the rulers of Orissa were subdued (1514) and severe defeats were inflicted on the Sultan of Bijapur (1520). Although the kingdom remained in a constant state of military preparedness, it flourished under conditions of unparalleled peace and prosperity. Krishnadeva Raya is credited with building some fine temples and adding impressive gopurams to many important south Indian temples. He also founded a suburban township near Vijayanagara called Nagalapuram after his mother.…” |