list the administrative reforms that brought glory to the Vijayanagara empire
Answers
The administrative system of Vijayanagar was a centralized one. The entire Vijayanagar empire was divided into two sets governments – the central and the provincial.
Centralized Administrative System at Vijayanagar
The central administrative system of Vijayanagar Kingdom is discussed below:
Powers of the king: The king of Vijayanagar kingdom was at the top of the administration. He had unlimited power. He was responsible for the overall administration of the state. He was the commander-in-chief of the army, the highest administrator and the chief justice. Yet, he was not a tyrant. Rather, he was a benevolent despot.
Focus on welfare of subjects: The aim of the Vijayanagar administration was to do the welfare of his subjects. Krishnadevaraya (also Krishna Deva Raya) was the most important king of Vijayanagar Empire. He believed in the principle that a crowned king should always rule with an eye towards dharma.
Council of ministers: To assist the king in the affairs of administration of Vijayanagar empire, there was a council of ministers which consisted of .possibly six or eight ministers. They were appointed by the king who could dismiss them also and they held office during the pleasure of the king.
The ministers were chosen from all the three castes of the society:
Brahmins,
Kshatriyas and
Vishayas.
The office of the ministers was hereditary though it was not followed always. Apart from the posts of the ministers there were other officials like chief Treasurer, officer-in-charge of jewels, officer-in-charge of commerce, the prefect of the police, and the master of the horse and so on. The household department the king of Vijayanagar was also well-organized. The nobles, priest’s astrologers, musicians, scholars and poets used to throng the royal court. The ruler used to spend a huge sum on the splendor of the court. It was so gorgeous that the foreign diplomats and travelers considered it an object of wonder.
Vijaynagar Empire Provincial Administration
The provincial administration system of the kingdom has been discussed below:
Six Provinces: The whole of Vijayanagar Empire was divided into six provinces. The administration of each province was under a governor. They were either a member of the royal family or an influential noble.
Governor: The governor was the key authority for the province and used to exercise civil, military and judicial powers. He used to furnish the account of the income and expenditure of his province to the Central Government. If the Central Government of Vijayanagar Kingdom needed his help, he would have to send military assistance whenever he was asked to do it. The governor had absolute power in the province although he was under the authority of the kings of Vijayanagar empire and controlled by the latter.
Districts : Again the provinces were divided into number of districts. These districts were each again divided into number of smaller units.
Self-sufficient villages: The lowest unit of administration of Vijayanagar Empire was the villages. Each of these villages was self-sufficient. There was a village assembly in every village which practically functioned like the modern village panchayats. This village assembly carried on the administration of the village. There were the village accountants, village weights men, the village watchmen and the village officers who were all hereditary officers. There was a village officer-in-charge of forced labour. They were paid by grants of land or a portion of agricultural produce. There was also a special officer through whom the central Vijayanagara government maintained contact with the village. He practically supervised the administration of the village.
There were administrative reforms brought about by the glory of Vijayanagar empire
1. King of the administrative as the head of administration.
2. King to consult and assist six to eight ministerial councils.
3. Empire Department in six provinces each is governed by a governor.
4. The foundation of the administrative structure was spontaneous villages governed by village assemblies.