The Vijayanagara Empire stands as one of the most glorious chapters in the history of medieval South India. Founded in 1336 AD by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, this empire flourished for more than two centuries and became a symbol of Hindu resistance against the Sultanate powers of the Deccan. The empire was established on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River with its capital at Hampi, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in present-day Karnataka.
The Vijayanagara Empire witnessed remarkable progress in art, architecture, literature, and administration under several ruling dynasties. The four major dynasties that ruled the empire were the Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu dynasties. The empire reached its peak during the reign of Krishnadevaraya of the Tuluva dynasty, who is often regarded as the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. For students preparing for UPSC, SSC, State PSC, and other competitive exams, questions related to this empire frequently appear in Indian History sections.
30 MCQs on Vijayanagara Empire – Indian History
Q1. Who founded the Vijayanagara Empire?
a) Krishnadevaraya and Achyuta Raya
b) Harihara I and Bukka Raya I
c) Deva Raya I and Deva Raya II
d) Saluva Narasimha and Tuluva Narasa Nayaka
Q2. In which year was the Vijayanagara Empire established?
a) 1206 AD
b) 1336 AD
c) 1347 AD
d) 1526 AD
Q3. The capital of the Vijayanagara Empire was located at which present-day site?
a) Madurai
b) Warangal
c) Hampi
d) Bijapur
Q4. Which river flows near the capital city of Vijayanagara?
a) Krishna River
b) Godavari River
c) Tungabhadra River
d) Kaveri River
Q5. Which sage is believed to have inspired the founders of the Vijayanagara Empire?
a) Shankaracharya
b) Ramanuja
c) Vidyaranya (Madhavacharya)
d) Vallabhacharya
Q6. How many major dynasties ruled the Vijayanagara Empire?
a) Two
b) Three
c) Four
d) Five
Q7. Which was the first dynasty to rule the Vijayanagara Empire?
a) Tuluva Dynasty
b) Saluva Dynasty
c) Sangama Dynasty
d) Aravidu Dynasty
Q8. Who was the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire?
a) Deva Raya II
b) Bukka Raya I
c) Krishnadevaraya
d) Rama Raya
Q9. Krishnadevaraya belonged to which dynasty?
a) Sangama Dynasty
b) Saluva Dynasty
c) Tuluva Dynasty
d) Aravidu Dynasty
Q10. Which famous Telugu literary work was written by Krishnadevaraya?
a) Ramacharitamanas
b) Amuktamalyada
c) Mancharitra
d) Kridabhiramam
Q11. Krishnadevaraya patronized eight famous poets at his court known as the:
a) Navratnas
b) Ashtadiggajas
c) Panchamathas
d) Saptarishis
Q12. Which foreign traveler visited the Vijayanagara Empire during the reign of Krishnadevaraya?
a) Ibn Battuta
b) Marco Polo
c) Domingo Paes
d) Niccolò de’ Conti
Q13. The Battle of Talikota (Raksasa-Tangadi) was fought in which year?
a) 1526 AD
b) 1556 AD
c) 1565 AD
d) 1576 AD
Q14. Which Vijayanagara ruler was defeated in the Battle of Talikota?
a) Krishnadevaraya
b) Achyuta Raya
c) Sadashiva Raya (with Rama Raya as regent)
d) Tirumala Deva Raya
Q15. The Battle of Talikota was fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and:
a) The Mughal Empire
b) The combined forces of Deccan Sultanates
c) The Chola Dynasty
d) The Portuguese
Q16. Which Italian traveler visited the Vijayanagara Empire during the reign of Deva Raya I?
a) Domingo Paes
b) Niccolò de’ Conti
c) Fernao Nuniz
d) Abdur Razzaq
Q17. Abdur Razzaq, the Persian ambassador, visited the Vijayanagara Empire during the reign of which ruler?
a) Harihara II
b) Deva Raya II
c) Krishnadevaraya
d) Bukka Raya I
Q18. The Hazara Rama Temple at Hampi was built during the rule of which dynasty?
a) Sangama Dynasty
b) Saluva Dynasty
c) Tuluva Dynasty
d) Aravidu Dynasty
Q19. Which Vijayanagara ruler introduced the recruitment of Muslims in the army and use of artillery?
a) Harihara I
b) Deva Raya II
c) Krishnadevaraya
d) Rama Raya
Q20. What was the administrative unit called “Nadu” in the Vijayanagara Empire?
a) A province
b) A district
c) A village
d) A military camp
Q21. The land revenue system under the Vijayanagara Empire collected approximately what share of the produce?
a) One-tenth
b) One-fourth
c) One-sixth
d) One-half
Q22. Which of the following temples is a famous example of Vijayanagara architecture?
a) Brihadeeswarar Temple
b) Vittala Temple at Hampi
c) Jagannath Temple at Puri
d) Meenakshi Temple at Madurai
Q23. The famous Stone Chariot at Hampi is located in front of which temple?
a) Hazara Rama Temple
b) Virupaksha Temple
c) Vittala Temple
d) Pattabhirama Temple
Q24. Who was the last ruling dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire?
a) Sangama Dynasty
b) Tuluva Dynasty
c) Saluva Dynasty
d) Aravidu Dynasty
Q25. The Virupaksha Temple at Hampi is dedicated to which deity?
a) Lord Vishnu
b) Lord Shiva
c) Lord Krishna
d) Goddess Lakshmi
Q26. Which Vijayanagara ruler assumed the title “Yavana Rajya Sthapanacharya” (Establisher of the Yavana Kingdom)?
a) Harihara I
b) Bukka Raya I
c) Deva Raya I
d) Krishnadevaraya
Q27. Krishnadevaraya defeated the Gajapati rulers of which region?
a) Gujarat
b) Odisha
c) Bengal
d) Malwa
Q28. The Mahanavami Dibba at Hampi was used for what purpose?
a) As a burial ground
b) As a royal platform for ceremonial occasions
c) As a military fortress
d) As a water storage facility
Q29. Which Portuguese traveler described the grandeur of Vijayanagara during the 16th century?
a) Vasco da Gama
b) Fernao Nuniz
c) Alfonso de Albuquerque
d) Pedro Cabral
Q30. Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in which year?
a) 1982
b) 1986
c) 1992
d) 2000
Correct Answers
- b) Harihara I and Bukka Raya I
- b) 1336 AD
- c) Hampi
- c) Tungabhadra River
- c) Vidyaranya (Madhavacharya)
- c) Four
- c) Sangama Dynasty
- c) Krishnadevaraya
- c) Tuluva Dynasty
- b) Amuktamalyada
- b) Ashtadiggajas
- c) Domingo Paes
- c) 1565 AD
- c) Sadashiva Raya (with Rama Raya as regent)
- b) The combined forces of Deccan Sultanates
- b) Niccolò de’ Conti
- b) Deva Raya II
- a) Sangama Dynasty
- b) Deva Raya II
- b) A district
- c) One-sixth
- b) Vittala Temple at Hampi
- c) Vittala Temple
- d) Aravidu Dynasty
- b) Lord Shiva
- d) Krishnadevaraya
- b) Odisha
- b) As a royal platform for ceremonial occasions
- b) Fernao Nuniz
- b) 1986
Conclusion
The Vijayanagara Empire remains one of the most frequently tested topics in Indian History for competitive examinations. From the founding by Harihara and Bukka to its decline after the Battle of Talikota in 1565 AD, every aspect of this empire is important from an exam point of view. The administrative system, architectural marvels at Hampi, and the golden era under Krishnadevaraya are areas from which questions are asked repeatedly.
Practicing these 30 MCQs on the Vijayanagara Empire will help you strengthen your grasp over this topic. Make sure to revise the dynasties, rulers, foreign travelers, battles, and temples associated with this empire. Regular practice of such objective questions will boost your confidence and improve your accuracy in the Indian History section of UPSC, SSC, and State PSC examinations.