Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms MCQ & Notes — Rulers, Administration and Decline for UPSC, SSC

Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms MCQ & Notes — Rulers, Administration and Decline for UPSC, SSC

Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms MCQ questions are a regular feature of UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Railways and State PSC general studies papers, since these two rival Deccan powers (1336–1646 and 1347–1527 respectively) shaped South Indian politics, administration and architecture for three centuries. This guide covers their founding, key rulers, administrative systems and the Battle of Talikota, followed by 10 practice MCQs with answers.

Founding of the Vijayanagar Empire

The Vijayanagar Empire was founded in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, who established the Sangama dynasty. Originally feudatories of the Kakatiyas of Warangal and later ministers under the Kampili chiefs, they built their new capital, Vijayanagar ("City of Victory"), on the south bank of the Tungabhadra River in present-day Karnataka, partly as a bulwark against the southward expansion of the Delhi Sultanate.

Founding of the Bahmani Kingdom

The Bahmani Kingdom, the first independent Muslim sultanate of the Deccan, was founded in 1347 by Ala-ud-Din Hasan Bahman Shah (also known as Zafar Khan), who broke away from the Delhi Sultanate of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Its capital was first at Gulbarga (Ahsanabad) and was later shifted to Bidar (Muhammadabad).

Dynasties of the Vijayanagar Empire

Dynasty	Approximate Period	Notable Rulers
Sangama	1336–1485	Harihara I, Bukka Raya I, Deva Raya II
Saluva	1485–1505	Saluva Narasimha
Tuluva	1505–1570	Krishnadeva Raya, Achyuta Deva Raya
Aravidu	1570–1646	Rama Raya, Venkata II

Krishnadeva Raya and the Tuluva Dynasty

Krishnadeva Raya (r. 1509–1529) of the Tuluva dynasty is regarded as the greatest Vijayanagar ruler. He defeated the Sultans of Bijapur and Golconda, the Bahmani remnants, and the Gajapatis of Odisha to become the dominant power of peninsular India. A patron of Telugu literature, he authored Amuktamalyada and commissioned major temple construction, including additions to the Vitthala and Hazara Rama temples at Hampi. His minister Timmarasu (Appaji) played a key role in his administration.

Vijayanagar Administration

• Nayankara system: Military chiefs (Nayakas) were granted territory (amaram) in return for maintaining troops for the king — broadly similar in spirit to later mansabdari-type arrangements, though it predates the Mughals.
• Ayangar system: Village-level administration was run by hereditary officials (ayangars) responsible for accounts, records and local order.
• Irrigation and economy: The empire invested heavily in tanks, canals and anicuts across the semi-arid Deccan plateau to support agriculture, and Hampi flourished as a major trade centre.
• Foreign accounts: Contemporary travellers such as Nicolo Conti, Abdur Razzak, Domingo Paes and Duarte Barbosa left detailed descriptions of Vijayanagar's prosperity and courtly life, which are important primary sources for historians.

Bahmani Administration

• The kingdom was divided into provinces called Tarafs, each headed by a Tarafdar.
• Key central posts included the Amir-i-Jumla (finance) and Vakil-us-Sultanate (chief minister).
• Mahmud Gawan, the influential Bahmani prime minister under Muhammad Shah III, introduced major reforms — he reduced the size of provinces to curb the power of nobles, promoted education, and built the famous Mahmud Gawan Madrasa at Bidar.

Battle of Talikota and Decline

In 1565, the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates — Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golconda and Bidar — defeated the Vijayanagar army under regent Rama Raya at the Battle of Talikota (also called Rakshasi-Tangadi). The victors sacked and destroyed the capital, Hampi. Although the Aravidu dynasty continued to rule from Penukonda and later Chandragiri in a much-reduced form, the empire never recovered its former power and was finally extinguished by around 1646.

The Five Deccan Sultanates

After Mahmud Gawan's fall and internal strife, the Bahmani Kingdom fragmented by the early 16th century into five independent Deccan Sultanates: Bijapur (Adil Shahi), Ahmednagar (Nizam Shahi), Golconda (Qutb Shahi), Bidar (Barid Shahi) and Berar (Imad Shahi). Golconda, ruled by the Qutb Shahis, is especially known for the Charminar and its diamond mines; these sultanates later fought — and were eventually absorbed by — the Mughals under Aurangzeb.

Why This Topic Matters for Competitive Exams

Vijayanagar and Bahmani history links directly to Mughal-era Deccan campaigns (Aurangzeb's wars against the successor sultanates), and to art & culture questions on Hampi's Vitthala temple chariot, Hazara Rama temple, Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur and the Charminar. Exams frequently test ruler-dynasty matching, capital cities, and the sequence of the Battle of Talikota relative to other medieval events.

Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms MCQ — Practice Questions

Q1. Who founded the Vijayanagar Empire and in which year?
A. Krishnadeva Raya, 1509 B. Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, 1336 C. Rama Raya, 1565 D. Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah, 1347
Answer: B. Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, 1336

Q2. The Vijayanagar Empire was founded on the banks of which river?
A. Krishna B. Godavari C. Tungabhadra D. Kaveri
Answer: C. Tungabhadra

Q3. Krishnadeva Raya belonged to which Vijayanagar dynasty?
A. Sangama B. Saluva C. Tuluva D. Aravidu
Answer: C. Tuluva

Q4. Who founded the Bahmani Kingdom in 1347?
A. Muhammad bin Tughlaq B. Ala-ud-Din Hasan Bahman Shah C. Mahmud Gawan D. Firuz Shah Bahmani
Answer: B. Ala-ud-Din Hasan Bahman Shah

Q5. The Bahmani capital was later shifted from Gulbarga to:
A. Bijapur B. Golconda C. Bidar D. Berar
Answer: C. Bidar

Q6. Which Bahmani minister introduced administrative reforms, including reducing the size of provinces, and built a famous madrasa at Bidar?
A. Zafar Khan B. Mahmud Gawan C. Timmarasu D. Rama Raya
Answer: B. Mahmud Gawan

Q7. In which year was the Battle of Talikota fought?
A. 1526 B. 1565 C. 1600 D. 1646
Answer: B. 1565

Q8. At the Battle of Talikota, the Vijayanagar forces under Rama Raya were defeated by:
A. The Mughal Empire B. The combined Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golconda, Bidar) C. The Marathas D. The Portuguese
Answer: B. The combined Deccan Sultanates

Q9. Under the Vijayanagar Nayankara system, Nayakas received land (amaram) in return for:
A. Collecting temple donations B. Maintaining troops for the king C. Managing foreign trade D. Judicial administration
Answer: B. Maintaining troops for the king

Q10. Following its disintegration, the Bahmani Kingdom split into how many Deccan Sultanates?
A. Three B. Four C. Five D. Six
Answer: C. Five

Practice More on Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms

Test your understanding with the free Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms quiz on FreePrep, covering rulers, administration and the Deccan Sultanates in exam format. You can also attempt today's free daily quiz for a mix of current affairs and history questions.