HistoryMedieval India: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara

Which of the following were located in the royal centre of Vijayanaga…

Which of the following were located in the royal centre of Vijayanagara?

(A) Hazara Rama temple
(B) Lotus Mahal
(C) Virupaksha temple
(D) Elephant stables
(E) Jaina temples of the pre-Vijayanagara period

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → A, B and D only

(A) Hazara Rama temple — Correct. The Hazara Rama temple was one of the temples in the royal centre, though most temples stood in the sacred centre.

(B) Lotus Mahal — Correct. The Lotus Mahal is described as one of the most beautiful buildings in the royal centre.

(C) Virupaksha temple — Incorrect. The Virupaksha temple stood in the sacred centre, at the rocky northern end on the Tungabhadra.

(D) Elephant stables — Correct. The so-called elephant stables stand close to the Lotus Mahal, inside the royal centre.

(E) Jaina temples of the pre-Vijayanagara period — Incorrect. The older Jaina temples are found among the hills of the sacred centre.

NCERT (2026-27): “4.2 Other buildings in the royal centre
One of the most beautiful buildings in the royal centre is the Lotus Mahal, so named by British travellers in the nineteenth century. While the name is certainly romantic, historians are not quite sure what the building was used for. One suggestion, found in a map drawn by Mackenzie, is that it may have been a council chamber, a place where the king met his advisers.”

“While most temples were located in the sacred centre, there were several in the royal centre as well. One of the most spectacular of these is one known as the Hazara Rama temple. This was probably meant to be used only by the king and his family. The images in the central shrine are missing; however, sculpted panels on the walls survive. These include scenes from the Ramayana sculpted on the inner walls of the shrine.”