The Vijayanagara Military backed the Vijayanagara Empire, particularly during the empire's long-running rivalry with the Bahmani Sultanate. The Vijayanagara rulers had a strong navy in addition to a large standing army. This contributed to the Viayanagara empire becoming the most centralized polity to emerge in South India. However, a large portion of the imperial income was dedicated to military purposes, putting a strain on the economy. In this article, we will discuss the Army and Military Organization of Vijayanagara Kingdom which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Army and Military Organization - Features

• It was necessary to maintain a large army in order to wage continuous warfare. Artillery was important, and well-bred horses were kept in good condition.
• The Vijayanagar rulers imported high-quality horses from Arabia and other Gulf countries across the Arabian Sea.
• The port of Malabar was the epicentre of this and other luxury commodity trade. The Vijayanagar rulers were always trying to gain control of the Malabar port.
• The Vijayanagar state, like the Bahamanis, was familiar with the use of firearms and hired Turkish and Portuguese experts to train the soldiers in the latest weaponry of warfare.
• Deva Raya II, one of the rayas, enlisted Muslims in his armed forces, assigned them jagirs, and built a mosque for their use in the city.
• Such new warfare techniques revolutionised the warfare. To counter firearms, fort walls were thickened, and special types of doors with fortified walls in front were built.
• Special types of large holes were made in the fort walls to rest the guns. Special types of parapets were built on the forts to house the canons.
• There were various types of firearms used. Some firearms were small, such as rifles and pistols.
• Some items, such as canons, were too heavy to be carried into battle on a bullock cart or an elephant.

Army and Military Organization - Composition

• The Vijayanagara army was primarily made up of infantry, cavalry, and war elephants who were armed with bows and arrows, swords, and lances as their primary weapons.
• According to Ferishta, the foot soldiers wore oil on their bodies but no armour or helmets, whereas Portuguese travellers such as Pace and Barros described protective clothing made of animal skin and shields.
• Although the Vijayanagran kings had little interest in guns, the infantry did have a matchlock regiment.
• They also built a navy on the west coast, led by the governor of Hanover Timmoju during Krishna Deva Raya, and which, according to Heeras Rayala, assisted the Portuguese in their occupation of Goa.
• The Vijayanagara rulers were able to repeatedly invade Sri Lanka thanks to their powerful navy.

Strength of Army

• The Vijayanagara army's numerical strength is debatable.
• During the reign of Krishna Deva Raya, Niccol de' Conti estimated a figure of 245,000 troops, whereas Fernao Nuniz stated it was closer to 200,000, including 170,000 foot soldiers, 30,000 cavalry, and 550 war elephants.
• The force, Rayawacha retorted, had 500,000 foot men, 60,000 cavalry, and 1,200 war elephants.
• Deva Raya II is said to have enlisted 2000 Muslim cavalrymen to teach the technique of archery to his Hindu soldiers and officers in order to oppose the superior Bahmani cavalry.

Administration of Army in Vijayanagara Kingdom

• The amaranayaka system was a key feature of the Vijayanagar administration. The Vijayanagar army commander was known as the nayaka in this system. Each nayaka was assigned an administrative area.
• The nayaka was in charge of expanding agricultural activities in his area. He collected taxes in his area and used the money to maintain his army, horses, elephants, and weapons of war that he had to supply to the raya of Vijayanagar rulers.
• Nayaka was also the commander of the forts. Some of the revenue was also used to maintain temples and irrigation systems.
• The amara-nayakas paid annual tribute to the king and personally appeared in the royal court with gifts to express their devotion.
• Several of these nayakas became independent and established separate states in the seventeenth century. The feudal Nayankaras used to keep their own troops, elephants, and soldiers.
• They were a powerful section that challenged Vijayanagar authority, weakened its internal structures, and contributed to Vijayanagar defeat at Talikota.

Conclusion

Military was regarded as the bedrock of empires and large kingdoms, and no empire could extend or maintain its stability and boundaries without proportionate advancement of the armed forces. The challenges that faced the Vijayanagara Empire at the time, as well as the empire's size, created a one-of-a-kind situation that required a vast and powerful army and military system to sustain its stability and maintain its borders.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following was NOT a primary component of the Vijayanagara army?

A) Infantry
B) Artillery
C) War Elephants
D) Cavalry

2. Which part of the Vijayanagara army was crucial for maintaining control over coastal areas?

A) Infantry
B) Cavalry
C) Navy
D) War Elephants

3. Who were often recruited as cavalry experts in the Vijayanagara army?

A) Persian warriors
B) European knights
C) Muslim mercenaries
D) Local villagers

4. Which animal played a significant role in the Vijayanagara army for breaking enemy formations?

A) Horses
B) Camels
C) War Elephants
D) Lions

5. The Vijayanagara kingdom faced frequent invasions from which of the following?

A) Marathas
B) Bahmani Sultanate
C) Mughal Empire
D) British East India Company

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the military organization of the Vijayanagara kingdom. How did its army structure contribute to the kingdom's defense and expansion?

Answer: The Vijayanagara kingdom’s military organization was highly structured, comprising four main divisions: infantry, cavalry, war elephants, and navy. The infantry was the largest unit, responsible for ground defense and offensive strategies. The cavalry provided swift mobility and was enhanced by skilled Muslim mercenaries. War elephants were used to break enemy formations, adding psychological impact. The navy protected coastal areas, crucial for trade and maritime defense. This structured army allowed the Vijayanagara kingdom to repel invasions, protect borders, and expand territorially, solidifying its dominance in South India.

Q2: Analyze the role of foreign influences in the Vijayanagara army, particularly in terms of military tactics and equipment.

Answer: The Vijayanagara army incorporated foreign influences by recruiting Muslim and Turkic warriors, especially in cavalry units. These mercenaries brought advanced cavalry tactics, including effective use of horses in warfare, which complemented the traditional strengths of the Vijayanagara forces. Additionally, the kingdom adopted certain military technologies and equipment through trade with the Portuguese, enhancing its navy and infantry capabilities. These foreign elements contributed to the army’s adaptability, making it versatile against diverse adversaries and strengthening the kingdom’s defensive and offensive tactics.

Q3: Evaluate the significance of the navy in the Vijayanagara kingdom's military strategy. How did it contribute to the kingdom's economic and political power?

Answer: The navy was a crucial component of the Vijayanagara military, providing coastal defense and protecting maritime trade routes. By securing vital ports and trade pathways, the navy facilitated economic growth through trade with the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Control over the sea routes also enhanced the kingdom's political power, allowing it to influence regional trade networks and establish dominance along the southern coast. This strategic focus on naval strength contributed to Vijayanagara’s prosperity and its ability to resist external maritime threats, consolidating its position as a major power in South India.

Previous Year Questions on Vijayanagara Army and Military Organization

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Which of the following was a primary component of the Vijayanagara military?

A) Artillery
B) Infantry
C) Air Force
D) Mounted Archers

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Infantry formed the largest division of the Vijayanagara army, serving as the backbone of its military organization and playing a central role in ground defense and offense.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Assess the significance of the Vijayanagara kingdom's military organization in its defense strategy. How did it help in maintaining regional stability?"

Answer: The Vijayanagara kingdom’s well-structured military was instrumental in defending against invasions from the Bahmani Sultanate and other adversaries. The kingdom’s army included infantry, cavalry, war elephants, and a strong navy. This organization enabled it to protect its borders, control trade routes, and secure coastal areas, thus maintaining stability in the region. The strategic use of war elephants and a well-established naval presence underscored its military strength, deterring potential threats and consolidating Vijayanagara’s influence across South India.