Harihara I and the Founding of Vijayanagara
Harihara I founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336 on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. He and his successors famously ruled as agents of the deity Virupaksha, considering the kingdom to belong to the god.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII: Themes in Indian History - Part II
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
2015
Evidence Source
Link ↗Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?
[UPSC CSE Pre 2015]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
The founding of Vijayanagara was not just a political act but a religious one. The rulers derived their legitimacy by claiming to rule on behalf of the divine, a common practice to unify the population against the expansionist Sultanates.
Authentic Source Evidence
Harihara I and his brother Bukka founded Vijayanagara in 1336 on the south bank of the Tungabhadra (a tributary of the Krishna). They claimed to rule as representatives of the deity Virupaksha, effectively acting as stewards of the land belonging to the god.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"What role did the sage Vidyaranya play in the founding of Vijayanagara?"
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"By ruling as 'agents' of a deity, the Sangama kings effectively made the state a 'theocratic steward,' which helped mobilize local support for their defense of the Deccan."
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