Satish Chandra Test: The Age of Vijayanagara And The Bahmanis & The Coming of The Portuguese- 1 - UPSC

The Bitragunta grant of Sangama II (son of Kampana) gives us the genealogy of the five Sangama brothers responsible for the foundation of the Vijayanagar empire.

The Bahmani kingdom was divided into four divisions or provinces during the time of the founder of the dynasty-Ala-ud-din Bahman Shah. His son Muhammad called these provinces as tarafs each under a tarafdar.

The standard unit of coin issued by the Vijayanagara Empire was the gold Pagoda in English or Varaha of 3.4 gr. The Varaha was also called the Hon, Gadyana or a Pon and came in the Ghattivaraha, Doddavaraha and Suddhavaraha coin.

Harihara I, (Kannada: ಹರಿಹರ) also called Hakka and Vira Harihara I, was the founder of the Vijayanagara empire, which he ruled from 1336 to 1356 CE. He and his successors formed the Sangama dynasty, the first of four dynasties to rule the empire. He was Bhavana Sangama's eldest son.[citation needed] Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, the founders of great Vijayanagara Empire were the nephews of prince Kumara Rama. The mother of these two brothers was Maravve Nayakiti the elder sister of prince Kumara Rama.

Firuz Shah fought against the Vijayanagara Empire on many occasions and the rivalry between the two dynasties continued unabated throughout his reign, with victories in 1398 and 1406, but a defeat in 1419. One of his victories resulted in his marriage to Deva Raya's daughter.

At the beginning of his reign, Harihara II of the Vijayanagar Empire had advanced as far as the Raichur Doab and posed a threat to the Bahmanis. This threat was thwarted by a calculated and incisive attack by Firuz.

Firuz led a successful expedition against Narsingh Rai of Kherla who had to surrender forty elephants and his daughter to Firuz. In 1420, an attack on Pangal, which had been taken by Vijayanagar, proved disastrous. Firuz was trounced by Vijayanagar and Firuz retreated, surrendering the southern and eastern districts of his kingdom. This defeat had a deep impact on his morale and he was henceforth a broken man. He spends his final two years in asceticism and piety.

Harihara-II was the first ruler of Vijaynagar to seize important fort of Goa from the Bahamanis.

In 1500, a new Portuguese company, Estado Da India was found by few merchants to trade iin India and other Asian countries. This was a private company. They had set up the trading stations in India for carrying on business. A governor was appointed in the various stations. Albuquerque (1509-1515) conquered Goa from Bijapur and in 1511 he concluded a friendly treaty with Krishnadeva Raya.

B is the correct option.A large number of Inscriptions of the Kingd of Vijayanagara and their Nayakas recording donations to temples as well as describing important events have been recovered.

• Bagapellisi Copper Plate Inscription - This inscription tells about the Achievements of Harihara - 1
• Bitragunta grant of Sangama 2 - gives the genealogy of the five Sangama brothers who were responsible for the foundation of the Vijayanagara Empire, Harihara and Bukka being the prominent Ones.
• ChannaRaya pateena Inscription of Hari Hara 2 - this inscription states about Bukka 1 and his successful Invasions.
• Srirangam Copper Plates of Deva Raya II - states about the various achievements of the ruler.
• Devulapalli Copper Plates of Immadi Narasimha - a genealogy of Saluva Dynasty.

The correct answer is E as all the given  following points regarding Vijayanagar empire are correct