HistoryMedieval India: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara

The Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of which of the foll…

The Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of which of the following deities?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → Virupaksha

Option (1) Virupaksha — Correct. The kings claimed to rule <strong>on behalf of the god Virupaksha</strong>, the guardian deity of the kingdom and a form of Shiva. Royal orders were signed in his name.

Option (2) Vitthala — Incorrect. Vitthala was a form of Vishnu, worshipped at the Vitthala temple. The royal claim was tied to Virupaksha.

Option (3) Pampadevi — Incorrect. Pampadevi was the <strong>local mother goddess</strong>. In local tradition she did penance in these hills to marry Virupaksha.

Option (4) Rama — Incorrect. Rama was worshipped at the Hazara Rama temple. The royal claim was tied to Virupaksha.

NCERT (2026-27): “5.1 Choosing a capital …
It is likely that the very choice of the site of Vijayanagara was inspired by the existence of the shrines of Virupaksha and Pampadevi. In fact the Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha. All royal orders were signed “Shri Virupaksha”, usually in the Kannada script. Rulers also indicated their close links with the gods by using the title “Hindu Suratrana”. This was a Sanskritisation of the Arabic term Sultan, meaning king, so it literally meant Hindu Sultan.”