What are the contributions of Vijayanagar empire to the economic system and society?
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The rise of Vijayanagar Empire was accompanied by the decline of Delhi Sultanate. The empire was ruled by four dynasties. I.e. Sangama dynasty, Saluva dynasty, Tuluva dynasty, and Aravidu dynasty. The rulers of Vijayanagar Empire devoted themselves to the growth of agriculture, and built cities and capitals with magnificent buildings. The different aspects of Society and Economy under Vijaynagara Empire are contained in narratives of foreign travellers, inscriptions, and literature.
Society and Economy under Vijaynagara Empire
1. Allasani Peddana, in his Manucharitam, mentions the four castes that existed in the Vijayanagar society.
I. Viprulu or Brahmins followed the traditional profession of teachers and priests. They sometimes also performed duties of soldiers and administrators. This is confirmed from the narration of Domingo Paes.
II. Rajulu or Rachavaru was generally associated with the ruling dynasty. The rulers as well as generals were actually Sudras, but called rachavaru on account of their position. As in the case of other parts of South India, the Kshatriya Varna seems to be absent here.
III. Matikaratalu or Vaishyas were the same as merchants who carried on trade and commerce.
IV. Nalavajativaru or Sudras were mainly agriculturists, but some of them carried on several other professions. They were not segregated, although considered inferior.
2. The practice of dancing girls attached to temples was also in vogue. From the account of Paes, we learn that Devadasis held a highly respectable position in society, and were given land grants, maid-servants, etc.
3. The plight of widow was pitiable, but they could remarry.
4. The state encouraged widow remarriage by not levying any tax on It.
5. The prevalence of Sati or Sahagamana in the Vijayanagar Empire is proved both from inscriptions and foreign accounts of the period.
6. Chess: It was a game promoted by the state and players were rewarded.
7. Untouchability: It existed and various classes such as Kambalattars, dombaris, jogis and maravars were treated as untouchables.
8. Slavery: It was quite common and Nicolo de Conti says that thoseloho failed to repay debts became the property of the creditor.
Religion and Philosophy
Early Vijayanagar rulers were followers of Saivism. Virupaksha was their family God. Later they came under the influence of Vaishnavism. But Siva continued to be worshipped.
9. Vaishnavism was professed in various forms. Srivaishnavism of Ramanuja was highly popular.
10. The Dvaita system of Madhava was also practiced.
11. Epics and Puranas were popular among the masses, especially since they served as a means of education among women.
Economic Conditions
The Vijayanagar Empire was one of the richest state then known to the world. Several foreign travellers, who visited the empire during the 15th and 16th Centuries, have left glowing accounts of its splendour and wealth.
12. Agriculture: It was in a flourishing condition. It was the policy of rulers to encourage agriculture in the different parts of the empire and to increase agricultural production by a wise irrigation policy. Nuniz, the Portuguese traveller, speaks of the construction of a dam and excavation of canals.
13. Industries: The agricultural wealth was supplemented. by numerous industries, the most important of which were textiles, mining and metallurgy. Another important industry was perfumery.
14. Industries and crafts were regulated by guilds.
15. It was common practice for people of the same trade to live in one and the same quarter of the city.
16. Abdur Razzak, the Persian diplomat and traveller, remarks: 'The tradesmen of each separate guild or craft have their shops close to another'. Trade There was flourishing inland, coastal and overseas trade which was an important source of general prosperity. The kingdom, according to Abdur Razzak, had 300 sea ports.
17. The most important commercial area on the West coast was Malabar, with its important port of Cannanore. It had commercial relations with the islands of the Indian Ocean, Burma, the Malay Archipelago and China in the East, and Arabia, Persia, South Africa, Abyssinia and Portugal on the West.
18. Among the exports, the main items were cloth, spices, rice, iron, saltpeter, sugar, etc. The main imports consisted of horses, elephants, pearls, copper, coral, mercury, China silks and velvets.
19. Ships were used for coastal and overseas trade. Vijayanagar had its own ships; the art of ship-building was known, but we do not know if ocean-going ships were built.
20. Barbosa, another Portuguese traveller, says that South India got its ships built in the Maldive Islands.
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.
Society and Economy under Vijaynagara Empire
1. Allasani Peddana, in his Manucharitam, mentions the four castes that existed in the Vijayanagar society.
I. Viprulu or Brahmins followed the traditional profession of teachers and priests. They sometimes also performed duties of soldiers and administrators. This is confirmed from the narration of Domingo Paes.
II. Rajulu or Rachavaru was generally associated with the ruling dynasty. The rulers as well as generals were actually Sudras, but called rachavaru on account of their position. As in the case of other parts of South India, the Kshatriya Varna seems to be absent here.
III. Matikaratalu or Vaishyas were the same as merchants who carried on trade and commerce.
IV. Nalavajativaru or Sudras were mainly agriculturists, but some of them carried on several other professions. They were not segregated, although considered inferior.
2. The practice of dancing girls attached to temples was also in vogue. From the account of Paes, we learn that Devadasis held a highly respectable position in society, and were given land grants, maid-servants, etc.
3. The plight of widow was pitiable, but they could remarry.
4. The state encouraged widow remarriage by not levying any tax on It.
5. The prevalence of Sati or Sahagamana in the Vijayanagar Empire is proved both from inscriptions and foreign accounts of the period.
6. Chess: It was a game promoted by the state and players were rewarded.
7. Untouchability: It existed and various classes such as Kambalattars, dombaris, jogis and maravars were treated as untouchables.
8. Slavery: It was quite common and Nicolo de Conti says that thoseloho failed to repay debts became the property of the creditor.
Religion and Philosophy
Early Vijayanagar rulers were followers of Saivism. Virupaksha was their family God. Later they came under the influence of Vaishnavism. But Siva continued to be worshipped.
9. Vaishnavism was professed in various forms. Srivaishnavism of Ramanuja was highly popular.
10. The Dvaita system of Madhava was also practiced.
11. Epics and Puranas were popular among the masses, especially since they served as a means of education among women.
Economic Conditions
The Vijayanagar Empire was one of the richest state then known to the world. Several foreign travellers, who visited the empire during the 15th and 16th Centuries, have left glowing accounts of its splendour and wealth.
12. Agriculture: It was in a flourishing condition. It was the policy of rulers to encourage agriculture in the different parts of the empire and to increase agricultural production by a wise irrigation policy. Nuniz, the Portuguese traveller, speaks of the construction of a dam and excavation of canals.
13. Industries: The agricultural wealth was supplemented. by numerous industries, the most important of which were textiles, mining and metallurgy. Another important industry was perfumery.
14. Industries and crafts were regulated by guilds.
15. It was common practice for people of the same trade to live in one and the same quarter of the city.
16. Abdur Razzak, the Persian diplomat and traveller, remarks: 'The tradesmen of each separate guild or craft have their shops close to another'. Trade There was flourishing inland, coastal and overseas trade which was an important source of general prosperity. The kingdom, according to Abdur Razzak, had 300 sea ports.
17. The most important commercial area on the West coast was Malabar, with its important port of Cannanore. It had commercial relations with the islands of the Indian Ocean, Burma, the Malay Archipelago and China in the East, and Arabia, Persia, South Africa, Abyssinia and Portugal on the West.
18. Among the exports, the main items were cloth, spices, rice, iron, saltpeter, sugar, etc. The main imports consisted of horses, elephants, pearls, copper, coral, mercury, China silks and velvets.
19. Ships were used for coastal and overseas trade. Vijayanagar had its own ships; the art of ship-building was known, but we do not know if ocean-going ships were built.
20. Barbosa, another Portuguese traveller, says that South India got its ships built in the Maldive Islands.
.
.
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