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Question

Name the platform used for ritual purposes by the kings of the Vijayanagara Empire.

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2018 Elementary Mathematics Previous Year Paper (04-Feb-2018)
The correct answer is

Mahanavami Dibba

Understanding Vijayanagara Ritual Platforms

The question asks us to identify the specific platform used for important rituals by the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Vijayanagara Empire was known for its elaborate ceremonies and structures built for royal and religious functions.

Let's look at the options provided and understand their significance in the Vijayanagara context:

  • Mahanavami Dibba: This was a massive, multi-tiered platform located within the Royal Enclosure at Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Its name comes from the Mahanavami festival (also known as Dasara or Navaratri), which was celebrated with great pomp here. The king and his court would observe processions, music, dance, and other events from this platform. It was central to the empire's ritual life, symbolizing royal power and the king's connection to divine authority.
  • Lotus Mahal: This structure is located in the Zenana Enclosure (royal women's quarters). It is an Indo-Islamic style building believed to be a place where the royal women could relax or meet. While beautiful, it wasn't primarily a ritual platform for the king's public ceremonies.
  • Hazara Rama: This refers to the Hazara Rama Temple, famous for its intricate carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana. It was a royal temple used for worship but not a public platform for large-scale state rituals.
  • Virupaksha: This refers to the Virupaksha Temple, one of the oldest and principal temples in Hampi, dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva. It was a vital religious center for the empire, but the Virupaksha temple itself is not a ritual platform used by the king for state ceremonies like the Mahanavami festival.

Based on the historical function and architectural significance of these structures in the Vijayanagara Empire, the platform specifically used by the kings for major ritual purposes, especially the Mahanavami festival, was the Mahanavami Dibba.

Therefore, the platform used for ritual purposes by the kings of the Vijayanagara Empire is the Mahanavami Dibba.


Revision Table: Vijayanagara Structures

Here is a quick summary of the structures mentioned:

Structure Primary Purpose / Location Used for King's Public Rituals?
Mahanavami Dibba Royal Public Ceremonies (Mahanavami festival) / Royal Enclosure Yes
Lotus Mahal Royal Women's Quarters / Zenana Enclosure No (Personal/Private)
Hazara Rama Temple Royal Worship / Royal Enclosure No (Worship, not large public ceremonies)
Virupaksha Temple Principal Religious Center / Hampi Bazaar area No (General worship, not king's specific ritual platform)

Additional Information: The Significance of Mahanavami Dibba

The Mahanavami Dibba, also known as the "House of Victory," is a prominent feature of the Royal Enclosure in Hampi. Its construction is often associated with Krishnadevaraya, the most famous ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, following his victories. The platform served multiple purposes:

  • Witnessing the Mahanavami festival celebrations, which demonstrated the king's military prowess, wealth, and religious devotion.
  • Holding royal audiences and receiving tributes.
  • Symbolizing the king's authority and the prosperity of the empire.

The carvings on the sides of the platform depict various scenes including processions, hunting, dancing, music, and courtly life, offering valuable insights into the culture and life of the Vijayanagara period.

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Similar Questions

  1. Which of the following statements about the Vijayanagara Empire is/are true?

    1. The kings claimed to rule on behalf of the God Virupaksha.

    2. Rulers used the title “Hindu Suratrana” to indicate their close links with the Gods.

    3. All royal orders were signed in Kannada, Sanskrit and Tamil.

    4. Royal portrait sculpture was now displayed in temples.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below :
  2. Consider the following statements with reference to the Nataraj bronze sculpture of Chola period:

    1. Shiva is shown balancing himself on his right leg representing tirobhava.

    2. Shiva is shown raising his left leg in bhujangatrasita stance, representing kicking away the illusion from the devotee's mind.

    3. The main right hand holds the damaru, Shiva's favourite musical instrument.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  3. Who among the following was not a court poet of king Krishnadevaraya?

  4. Which one of the following works was composed by Krishnadevaraya on statecraft in Telugu?

  5. The ruins of Hampi were brought to light by which of the following British officers of the East India Company?

  6. Man Kautuhal, a work on music, was prepared under the aegis of

  7. Abdur Razzaq, an ambassador of the ruler of Persia, was sent to Calicut in the fifteenth century. He was greatly impressed by the:

  8. Domingo Paes, the medieval traveller, has described the city of

  9. What do you think the titles of Mahendravarman-I like 'Vichitrachitta', 'Chaityakari' and 'Chitrakarapuli' seem to suggest?


Important Questions from Southern Dynasties

  1. According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert in which of the following areas?

    1. Wrestling

    2. Astrology

    3. Accounting

    4. Soothsaying

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  2. Which emperor of Vijayanagara Empire earned the title of 'Kannada kingdom Rama Ramana'?

  3. Which of the following statement is correct?

    I. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.

    II. In 1687, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb annexed Golconda to the Mughal Empire.

  4. Where is the Golconda Fort situated?

  5. Which city was the capital of Pallavas?

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