Administrative Structure

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

Central Governance

The Vijayanagara Empire was led by a centralized administrative system where the King held ultimate authority, serving as the paramount decision-maker across all aspects of governance. The Vijayanagara kings called themselves Raya

Provincial Administration

Governance was divided into six provinces, each overseen by a Governor known as a ‘Nayakas.’ These provinces were further organized into districts and villages, with hereditary officers responsible for day-to-day management.

The Amara-Nayaka system

Many Nayakas acknowledged the authority of the Vijayanagara kings, but they frequently revolted, requiring military intervention to suppress their uprisings.

A significant political development during the Vijayanagara Empire was the introduction of the amara- nayaka system. This system likely drew influence from the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate.

The amara-nayakas were military commanders entrusted with governing specific territories by the king (raya). They were responsible for collecting taxes and other dues from peasants, artisans, and traders within their regions. A portion of the revenue was retained for their personal use and to maintain a designated force of horses and elephants.

These contingents formed the backbone of Vijayanagara's military, which enabled the empire to bring the entire southern peninsula under its control. Additionally, some of the revenue was allocated for the upkeep of temples and irrigation infrastructure.

To demonstrate their allegiance, the amara-nayakas paid tribute to the king annually and personally visited the royal court bearing gifts as a sign of loyalty.

Revenue System

Land revenue formed the backbone of the empire’s economic resources.

Taxation was based on extensive land surveys, determining rates according to the fertility of the soil.

Agricultural expansion was a priority, achieved through the construction of dams and canals.

Vijayanagara rulers followed an oppressive taxation policy.

The prosperity of the empire can be explained through their taxation principles in the following lines.

They collected variety of taxes ranging on the nature of lands.

The villages were classified into eight types for tax purpose. They were:

• The brahmadeya villages

• The devadana villages

• The mathapura villages

• The sarvamanya villages

• The kodagi lands

• Rakta-kodagal lands

• Guttagi lands

• The rest of the villages or lands.

The first four types prevailed prior to the Vijayanagar times.

Private owners also paid industries taxes. Merchant guilds were empowered to levy taxes on goods manufactured, sold, or transported

Judicial Framework

The King served as the central judicial authority, presiding over the top court. Legal penalties were strict, with punitive measures, including fines, employed for lawbreakers.

Military Organization

The military comprised infantry, cavalry, and elephantry units, all coordinated under a Commander-in-Chief’s leadership.

Administration’s Limitations

Governance Challenges- Provincial governors held significant power, which sometimes led to instability and contributed to the empire’s eventual downfall.

Military Weaknesses- Inefficient army organization and a lack of competent forces hindered the empire’s defence, particularly against the Bahmani Sultans.

Diplomatic and Commercial Ties

• Allowing Portuguese settlement on the western coast brought unforeseen consequences, while the empire’s attempts at sustained commercial ventures despite abundant resources were largely unsuccessful.

• Local communities of merchants known as kudirai chettis or horse merchants used to participate in the import of horses from the Middle east

• Vijayanagara was also noted for its markets dealing in spices, textiles and precious stones.

• Trade was often regarded as a status symbol for such cities, which boasted of a wealthy population that demanded high-value exotic goods, especially precious stones and jewellery.