Which of the following is incorrect about the 'Amara-Nayakas' system of the Vijayanagara Empire?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Amara-nayakas refer to a group of priests.
The amara-nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire. The amara-nayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the raya.
Option (1) Amara-nayakas were responsible for collecting taxes from peasants. — Correct statement. They collected taxes and other dues from peasants, craftspersons and traders in their area.
Option (2) Amara-nayakas were military commanders. — Correct statement. They were military commanders given territories to govern.
Option (3) Amara-nayakas refer to a group of priests. — Incorrect statement. They were military commanders, not priests; they kept contingents of horses and elephants for the king.
Option (4) Amara-nayakas were expected to send an annual tribute to the king. — Correct statement. They sent tribute to the king annually and appeared in the royal court with gifts to express their loyalty.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.3 The rayas and the nayakas … The amara-nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is likely that many features of this system were derived from the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate. 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. They retained part of the revenue for personal use and for maintaining a stipulated contingent of horses and elephants. These contingents provided the Vijayanagara kings with an effective fighting force with which they brought the entire southern peninsula under their control. 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.…” |