Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Which of the following statements about Amaranayakas of Vijayanagara are correct? 1. They were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the Raya. 2. They were paid in cash to maintain their contingents. 3. They maintained stipulated contingents and elephants. 4. They used to send tribute annually and personally appeared in the royal court with gifts.
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
The Amaranayaka system was the political innovation that provided the Vijayanagara Empire with its massive military manpower. It was a land-for-service arrangement similar to the Iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate.Explanation
Amaranayakas were military leaders given land grants (amaram) by the Raya. They collected taxes from these areas to maintain horses and elephants for the state. They were not paid in cash; the revenue of the land was their 'salary.' To show loyalty, they sent annual tributes and visited the court with lavish gifts.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Statements 1, 3, and 4 correctly define their role as semi-autonomous governors and military providers.
Logic 2: Statement 2 is incorrect because their support came from land revenue (territorial assignments), not central cash salaries, which distinguished them from standard state employees.