Who were the “amara-nayakas” in the Vijayanagara empire?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Military commanders, given territories to govern by the raya
The amara-nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire, probably derived in part 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 dues from peasants, craftspersons and traders, kept part of the revenue for themselves, and maintained a fixed contingent of horses and elephants for the king. They also sent tribute to the king every year.
NCERT (2025-26): “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.…” |