**Social Changes under the Vijayanagara Empire:**

1. **Religious Patronage:** The Vijayanagara Empire was a Hindu kingdom that promoted and patronized Hinduism. The rulers of the empire supported the construction of numerous temples and encouraged the practice of Hindu rituals and ceremonies.

2. **Cultural Integration:** The empire witnessed the assimilation and integration of various regional cultures. It brought together people from different linguistic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds and fostered a sense of unity and cultural exchange.

3. **Urbanization:** The Vijayanagara Empire witnessed the growth and development of several urban centers. Hampi, the capital city, became a bustling hub of trade, commerce, and cultural activities. The empire also encouraged the establishment of markets, bazaars, and trade networks, leading to urbanization in its territories.

4. **Literary and Artistic Flourishing:** The empire witnessed a golden age of literature, poetry, and the arts. Sanskrit and regional languages like Telugu and Kannada flourished during this period. Renowned scholars and poets were patronized by the empire, leading to the creation of great literary works.

5. **Language and Literature:** The Vijayanagara Empire played a crucial role in the development of regional languages and literature. The empire patronized the Telugu language, leading to the growth of Telugu literature. Kannada literature also saw significant developments during this time.

**Economic Changes under the Vijayanagara Empire:**

1. **Agriculture and Irrigation:** The empire focused on agricultural development and irrigation systems. They built an extensive network of canals, tanks, and reservoirs to ensure efficient water management, leading to increased agricultural productivity.

2. **Trade and Commerce:** The Vijayanagara Empire was known for its vibrant trade and commerce. It had well-established trade routes connecting it to various regions, including the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The empire encouraged both internal and external trade, which boosted economic prosperity.

3. **Mining and Metallurgy:** The empire had rich mineral resources and was known for its mining and metallurgical activities. The extraction of gold, copper, iron, and diamonds played a significant role in the empire's economy. Skilled artisans and craftsmen produced intricate metalwork and jewelry.

4. **Craftsmanship and Handicrafts:** The empire was renowned for its craftsmanship and production of exquisite handicrafts. Skilled artisans created intricate carvings, sculptures, textiles, and pottery. These products were in high demand and contributed to the empire's economic growth.

5. **Taxation and Revenue:** The Vijayanagara Empire had a well-structured system of taxation and revenue collection. Taxes were levied on agricultural produce, trade, and other economic activities. The revenue generated from taxation was utilized for the administration, infrastructure development, and welfare of the empire.

Overall, the Vijayanagara Empire witnessed significant social and economic changes, including religious patronage, cultural integration, urbanization, literary and artistic flourishing, agricultural development, trade and commerce, mining and metallurgy, craftsmanship, and taxation. These developments contributed to the empire's prosperity and made it a center of cultural and economic excellence in South India.

The prosperity of the Vijayanagar empire was due to the growth of agriculture, industries, trade and commerce. The state followed a wise irrigation policy. Industries were also encouraged by the state. Commerce was inland, coastal and overseas.