Very Short Answer Type Questions

Below is a CBSE-board–ready, NCERT-strict set of Very Short Answer Type Questions (VSAs) for Class 12 History, Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital – Vijayanagara

Very Short Answer Type Questions (1 Sentence Each)

Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital – Vijayanagara (NCERT Aligned)

1. What was the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire?
   Answer: The capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire was Vijayanagara.
2. In which present-day state are the ruins of Vijayanagara located?
   Answer: The ruins are located in present-day Karnataka.
3. What is the modern name of Vijayanagara’s capital site?
   Answer: The site is known today as Hampi.
4. On which river was Vijayanagara situated?
   Answer: Vijayanagara was situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
5. In which year was the Vijayanagara Empire founded?
   Answer: The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 CE.
6. Who were the founders of the Vijayanagara Empire?
   Answer: The empire was founded by Harihara and Bukka.
7. Which dynasty founded the Vijayanagara Empire?
   Answer: The Sangama dynasty founded the Vijayanagara Empire.
8. Which ruler is considered the greatest of Vijayanagara?
   Answer: Krishnadevaraya is regarded as the greatest ruler.
9. During whose reign did Vijayanagara reach its peak?
   Answer: Vijayanagara reached its peak during the reign of Krishnadevaraya.
10. What core historical theme does this chapter focus on?
    Answer: The chapter focuses on state formation and urbanisation.
11. Name the two main zones of Vijayanagara city described by historians.
    Answer: The city was divided into the Sacred Centre and the Royal Centre.
12. What was the primary function of the Sacred Centre?
    Answer: The Sacred Centre contained major temples and religious structures.
13. Which temple at Vijayanagara is still an active place of worship?
    Answer: The Virupaksha Temple is still an active place of worship.
14. What was the Royal Centre mainly used for?
    Answer: The Royal Centre was used for administrative, ceremonial, and political activities.
15. Why were multiple fortification walls built around the city?
    Answer: Multiple fortifications were built to protect the city and control movement.
16. What natural features strengthened Vijayanagara’s defence?
    Answer: Rocky hills and the river strengthened Vijayanagara’s natural defence.
17. What does the Mahanavami Dibba indicate about kingship?
    Answer: It indicates the ceremonial and ritual display of royal power.
18. How was water supplied to the city?
    Answer: Water was supplied through canals, tanks, reservoirs, and dams.
19. What role did irrigation play in Vijayanagara’s economy?
    Answer: Irrigation supported agriculture and sustained the urban population.
20. Which crops were commonly cultivated in the Vijayanagara region?
    Answer: Rice, sugarcane, and cotton were commonly cultivated.
21. What type of economy did Vijayanagara have?
    Answer: Vijayanagara had an agrarian and trade-based economy.
22. What goods were imported by Vijayanagara from overseas?
    Answer: Horses and luxury goods were major imports.
23. Name one major export of Vijayanagara.
    Answer: Spices were an important export of Vijayanagara.
24. Where were bazaars usually located in the city?
    Answer: Bazaars were often located near temples.
25. Why were temples economically important?
    Answer: Temples owned land and employed a large number of people.
26. Which religions received royal patronage in Vijayanagara?
    Answer: Shaivism and Vaishnavism received royal patronage.
27. How did rulers use religion to legitimise their power?
    Answer: Rulers projected themselves as protectors of dharma through temple patronage.
28. Which festival symbolised royal authority in Vijayanagara?
    Answer: The Mahanavami festival symbolised royal authority.
29. Name one foreign traveller who visited Vijayanagara.
    Answer: Domingo Paes visited Vijayanagara.
30. Which traveller described Vijayanagara as a prosperous city?
    Answer: Fernao Nuniz described it as prosperous.
31. What do travellers’ accounts mainly describe?
    Answer: They describe the city’s wealth, markets, and court life.
32. Why are travellers’ accounts used carefully by historians?
    Answer: They are compared with archaeological evidence for accuracy.
33. Which battle marked the beginning of Vijayanagara’s decline?
    Answer: The Battle of Talikota marked the decline.
34. In which year was the Battle of Talikota fought?
    Answer: The Battle of Talikota was fought in 1565 CE.
35. Who fought against Vijayanagara at Talikota?
    Answer: The Deccan Sultanates fought against Vijayanagara.
36. What happened to the city after the Battle of Talikota?
    Answer: The city was looted, destroyed, and largely abandoned.
37. Did the Vijayanagara Empire end immediately after Talikota?
    Answer: No, it continued for some time in a reduced form.
38. What sources are used to reconstruct Vijayanagara’s history?
    Answer: Archaeology, inscriptions, temples, and travellers’ accounts are used.
39. Why is Vijayanagara important in Indian history?
    Answer: It represents advanced urban planning and imperial power.
40. What does the study of Vijayanagara help us understand?
    Answer: It helps us understand medieval state formation and urbanisation.