Question

Comment on 'Nayankara system'?

Answer 1

Vijayanagar rulers gave due importance to provincial administration.  The administration which existed in the provinces was called as ‘Nayankara system’.  It was similar to that of feudalism in Europe.  According to the system, all the land were owned by the rulers.  He distributed the lands to his generals.  They functioned under his control and acted as feudal lords.  This administrative system flourished during the period of Vijayanagar rulers.  Based on the system most of the lands were distributed among the Nayaks (land lords).  They lived with pomp and show and constructed forts for their protection.  They accepted the supremacy of the Vijayanagar rulers and acted as their protectors.

The Nayaks who received the lands from the ruler, distributed them to the tenants for cultivation.  In turn the Nayaks collected land tax regularly from the tenants.  The amount of tax was very high. Nuniz, in his account mentioned that the Nayaks collected one tenth of the total revenue as land tax.  They collected the tax by arbitrary method.  No sympathy was bestowed on them.  The Nayaks gave half of the revenue to central government.  Rest of the amount was utilised by the Nayaks for administration, military and other charitable works.  Accordingly, the Vijayanagar rulers received seventy lakhs of Varagans from the Nayaks.  Vijayanagar rulers spent the major portions of the revenue for their luxurious life.

Answer 2

Nayankar it self say nayaka.And nayaka is are land lords.So nayankar is nothing but taking lands over losed army and giving it to generals