HistoryMedieval India: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara

In the Muslim residential quarter of the urban core of Vijayanagara,…

In the Muslim residential quarter of the urban core of Vijayanagara, tombs and mosques have distinctive functions. Which structures does their architecture resemble?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → The mandapas found in the temples of Hampi

Option (1) The mandapas found in the temples of Hampi — Correct. Tombs and mosques served their own purposes, yet their architecture resembles that of the mandapas of the Hampi temples. Building styles were shared across faiths.

Option (2) The gopurams found in the temples of Hampi — Incorrect. Gopurams are the tall towered gateways of temples. The tombs and mosques look like mandapas, the pillared halls.

Option (3) The Lotus Mahal in the royal centre — Incorrect. The Lotus Mahal is a building in the royal centre. The tombs and mosques are compared with temple mandapas.

Option (4) The Mahanavami Dibba in the royal centre — Incorrect. The Mahanavami Dibba is a large platform in the royal centre. Tombs and mosques were modelled on temple halls instead.

NCERT (2026-27): “3.3 The urban core
Moving along the roads leading into the urban core, there is relatively little archaeological evidence of the houses of ordinary people. Archaeologists have found fine Chinese porcelain in some areas, including in the north-eastern corner of the urban core and suggest that these areas may have been occupied by rich traders. This was also the Muslim residential quarter. Tombs and mosques located here have distinctive functions, yet their architecture resembles that of the mandapas found in the temples of Hampi.”