An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara Class 12 History Chapter 7 CBSE Notes - 2025-26

Vijayanagara, meaning the ‘city of victory’, was both a flourishing city and a vast empire in southern India, renowned for its architectural grandeur and rich cultural mix from the 14th to 16th centuries. 

Its impressive ruins, found at Hampi in Karnataka, have provided historians with crucial evidence about the life, administration, and achievements of the empire.

The rediscovery of Vijayanagara was a gradual process. In 1800, Colin Mackenzie, an English East India Company official, began the first systematic survey of the site, aided by local temple priests. 

Later, photographs and the documentation of inscriptions greatly added to our knowledge. The site embodies a blend of oral traditions, inscriptions, and enduring architectural remains.

The Founding and Expansion of Vijayanagara The founders of the Vijayanagara Empire were brothers Harihara and Bukka in 1336. They built an empire that extended from the Krishna River in the north to the far south of the Indian peninsula. 

Vijayanagara thrived by absorbing traditions from previous powerful kingdoms, such as the Cholas and Hoysalas, especially in temple architecture and administration.

The empire was a melting pot of many languages and religious beliefs. Its rulers, known as Rayas, competed with neighboring Sultans and the Gajapati kings of Orissa for key trade routes and fertile valleys, leading to both conflict and creative exchanges, particularly in art and architecture.

Kings, Traders, and The Economy A strong cavalry was central to the Vijayanagara army, with war horses imported from Arabia and Central Asia, usually via Arab and local traders. Trade played a significant role in elevating the empire’s international status and generating revenue. The kingdom exported spices, textiles, and precious stones, and its rulers protected and encouraged commerce, making merchants key players in society.

Prominent rulers like Krishnadeva Raya stressed the importance of harbour development and trade. Control over trade routes and market centers not only benefited merchants but also increased the wealth and influence of the empire.

Political Structure and Military Chiefs The empire’s administration rested on the king and powerful military chiefs, called Nayakas. Most Nayakas were Telugu or Kannada speakers and administered forts and provinces on behalf of the Rayas. 

They paid tribute, maintained armed supporters, and sometimes rebelled or became independent, especially as central control weakened in later centuries.

A distinctive feature was the Amara-nayaka system. Under it, Nayakas collected revenue from their allotted territories, maintained a fixed number of troops for the king, and sent annual tributes. However, as royal authority loosened, many Nayakas asserted independence and carved out separate kingdoms.

Urban Planning and Water Management Vijayanagara’s capital was set in the Tungabhadra basin, surrounded by granite hills, and divided into distinct royal, sacred, and urban cores. Water management was sophisticated; embankments, tanks (like Kamalapuram), and canals stored and distributed water to support agriculture and the vast population in this arid setting.

Gardens, tanks, and aqueducts were visible throughout the city, and the impressive remains show careful environmental planning. This enabled the city to thrive and withstand long sieges or droughts.

Fortifications, Roads, and Urban Activities The city’s fortifications were extensive—several lines of stone walls built without mortar, enclosing not only the city but also surrounding tracts of productive farmland. 

Strategic gates, some featuring Indo-Islamic arches and domes, controlled movement. The main roads connected temples, palaces, bazaars, and gateways, shaping the movement of people and goods.

Remains of residential areas reveal the presence of prosperous merchant quarters and ordinary homes, often grouped by occupation. Archaeological finds have included Chinese porcelain—evidence of international trade—as well as shrines, wells, and mosques, highlighting the city’s cosmopolitan character.

The Royal Centre and Sacred Architecture The royal centre, located in the city’s southwest, boasted more than 60 temples, numerous palace complexes, and the massive Mahanavami Dibba platform used for royal ceremonies, displays of power, and annual rituals. Important secular buildings like the Lotus Mahal and Elephant Stables display a blend of local and Indo-Islamic architectural features.

The sacred centre, at the northern end, drew on deep religious associations. Prominent temples included the Virupaksha (dedicated to Lord Shiva and dating to pre-Vijayanagara times but significantly enlarged) and the Vitthala temple, noted for its stone chariot and unique musical pillars. 

Huge Gopurams (temple gateways) symbolized imperial authority and visually unified the city’s skyline.

Festivals and temple rituals were key to both royal legitimacy and community life, often celebrated in open mandapas (pillared halls) or along paved streets lined with merchants selling various goods.

Decline and Legacy After Krishnadeva Raya’s prosperous reign, internal strife and rebellion escalated. In 1565, at the battle of Rakshasi-Tangadi (Talikota), the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates defeated Vijayanagara. The capital was sacked and gradually abandoned, though the empire persisted under the Aravidu dynasty at new capitals.

Surviving buildings and inscriptions allow us to reconstruct aspects of daily life, administration, and cultural exchange, although knowledge about common people and construction techniques remains limited. Today, Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, valued for its outstanding remains and its significance in Indian history.

• Founders: Harihara and Bukka (1336)
• Dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva (Krishnadeva Raya), Aravidu
• Key Structures: Mahanavami Dibba, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, Virupaksha and Vitthala temples
• Trade Partners: Arabia, Central Asia, Portugal, China
• Fall: 1565, Battle of Rakshasi-Tangadi
• Rediscovery: Colin Mackenzie’s surveys (1800); UNESCO site since 1986

Important Timelines

1. 1336: Vijayanagara Empire established
2. 1485–1565: Golden age under successive rulers, especially Krishnadeva Raya (c. 1509–1529)
3. 1565: Defeat and sack at Talikota
4. 1800: Archaeological rediscovery
5. 1986: Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site

The study of Vijayanagara highlights dynamic interactions between kings, military chiefs, traders, and artisans. The city’s architecture, urban planning, and temple culture not only reflect the empire’s power but also its openness to different influences, which shaped its legacy in south Indian history.

Class 12 History Chapter 7 Notes – An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara (Key Points for Revision)

These Class 12 History Chapter 7 revision notes cover important points about the Vijayanagara Empire’s rise, architecture, society, and decline. Students can quickly recall facts about founders, administration, trade, and major monuments with these structured summaries. The notes highlight key events, cultural landmarks, and timelines for effective last-minute revision.

Using these concise and easy-to-read points, learners will grasp crucial exam concepts such as the amara-nayaka system, water management, and temple-building traditions. These revision notes for “An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara” ensure thorough preparation and help students answer both factual and analytical questions confidently in board exams.