How did the Amaranayaka system help the Raya?

It allowed the Emperor to have a ready-to-deploy army spread across the empire without the burden of maintaining a massive central treasury for salaries.

Amaranayaka System in Vijayanagara Empire (2021 PYQ)

ID: MED_VIJ_2021_122 Ref: K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, A History of South India

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.

AI Quick Summary (View Answer)

Correct Option: B

Amaranayakas were military commanders in the Vijayanagara Empire who governed territories called 'amaram'. They maintained armies for the king and paid annual tributes, relying on local land revenue rather than cash salaries.