In the context of Vijayanagara Empire, which of the following statements are correct ?
(A) 'Mahanavami Dibba' is a distinctive structure found in Hampi.
(B) It was a massive platform located on one of the highest points in the city of Vijayanagara.
(C) The base of the platform is covered with relief carvings.
(D) The term 'Mahanavami', seems to be associated with the ten-day festival of Dusshera or Durga Puja.
(E) On the day of Mahanavami, the Vijayanagara ruling dynasty used to observe mourning and condolence.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A), (B), (C), (D) Only
(A) ‘Mahanavami Dibba’ is a distinctive structure found in Hampi. Correct. The mahanavami dibba is one of the most impressive platforms in the royal centre of Vijayanagara, the city whose ruins at Hampi were brought to light in 1800.
(B) It was a massive platform located on one of the highest points in the city of Vijayanagara. Correct. Located on one of the highest points in the city, it is a massive platform rising from a base of about 11,000 sq. ft to a height of 40 ft.
(C) The base of the platform is covered with relief carvings. Correct. The base of the platform is covered with relief carvings (Fig. 7.12).
(D) The term ‘Mahanavami’, seems to be associated with the ten-day festival of Dusshera or Durga Puja. Correct. Rituals associated with the structure probably coincided with Mahanavami (literally, the great ninth day) of the ten-day Hindu festival known as Dusehra in northern India, Durga Puja in Bengal and Navaratri or Mahanavami in peninsular India.
(E) On the day of Mahanavami, the Vijayanagara ruling dynasty used to observe mourning and condolence. Incorrect. Mahanavami was a festival, not a day of mourning: on this occasion the Vijayanagara kings displayed their prestige, power and suzerainty.
NCERT (2026-27): “4.1 The mahanavami dibba … Some of the more distinctive structures in the area have been assigned names based on the form of the buildings as well as their functions. The ‘king’s palace’ is the largest of the enclosures but has not yielded definitive evidence of being a royal residence. It has two of the most impressive platforms, usually called the ‘audience hall’ and the ‘mahanavami dibba’. The entire complex is surrounded by high double walls with a street running between them. The audience hall is a high platform with slots for wooden pillars at close and regular intervals. It had a staircase going up to the second floor, which rested on these pillars. The pillars being closely spaced, would have left little free space and thus it is not clear what the hall was used for. Located on one of the highest points in the city, the ‘mahanavami dibba’ is a massive platform rising from a base of about 11,000 sq. ft to a height of 40 ft. There is evidence that it supported a wooden structure. The base of the platform is covered with relief carvings (Fig. 7.12). Rituals associated with the structure probably coincided with Mahanavami (literally, the great ninth day) of the ten-day Hindu festival during the autumn months of September and October, known variously as Dusehra (northern India), Durga Puja (in Bengal) and Navaratri or Mahanavami (in peninsular India). The Vijayanagara kings displayed their prestige, power and suzerainty on this occasion.…” |