Cultural and Social Fabric

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL FABRIC

Social Life

• In his Manucharitam, Allasani Peddanna mentions the presence of four primary castes—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras—in the society of Vijayanagara.

• Foreign travellers offered detailed descriptions of the grandeur of Vijayanagara's buildings and the opulent lifestyle of its citizens.

• Silk and cotton fabrics were commonly worn, and people adorned themselves with perfumes, flowers, and ornaments.

• Paes highlighted the exquisite homes of the wealthy, as well as the large number of servants they employed.

• Nicolo Conti observed the widespread practice of slavery.

• Popular pastimes included dancing, music, wrestling, gambling, and cockfighting.

• The Sangama rulers were predominantly followers of Shaivism, with Virupaksha being their family deity, although other dynasties leaned towards Vaishnavism. The teachings of Ramanuja and Srivaishnavism were especially popular during this time.

• The rulers of Vijayanagara were generally tolerant of other religions. Borbosa, a foreign observer, noted the religious freedom enjoyed by all, with Muslims holding administrative roles and freely constructing mosques for worship.

• Numerous temples were constructed during this period, and a wide variety of festivals were celebrated. The Epics and Puranas held a strong influence among the common people, further shaping the cultural and religious life of the empire.

Cultural Contributions

• During the Vijayanagar rule, temple construction became a hallmark of their architectural legacy. Notable features included the tall Raya Gopurams or gateways and the Kalyanamandapam, adorned with intricately carved pillars. These pillars often showcased sculptures, predominantly featuring horses.

• Large mandapams, housing up to a thousand pillars, were used for ceremonial purposes, particularly during festivals. The period also witnessed the addition of Amman shrines to existing temples, enriching the architectural landscape.

• The prominent temples built in the Vijayanagara style were primarily found in the ruins of Hampi, the erstwhile capital. Temples like Vittalaswamy and Hazara Ramaswamy epitomized this architectural style. Additionally, examples of this style were evident in temples like Varadharaja and Ekamparanatha in Kanchipuram, along with the Raya Gopurams at Thiruvannamalai and Chidambaram, showcasing the grandeur of Vijayanagara architecture. These styles were continued by the later Nayak rulers.

Metal images of Krishna Deva Raya and his queens at Tirupati were also notable, exemplifying the art of casting metal images. The rulers of Vijayanagar significantly patronized music and dance, contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the era.

• In terms of literature, diverse languages such as Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, and Tamil flourished in the region. There was a substantial development in Sanskrit and Telugu literature, reaching its pinnacle during Krishna Deva Raya’s reign. The king himself was a scholar in both Sanskrit and Telugu, and his court poet, Allasani Peddanna, was renowned for his contributions to Telugu literature.