The Vijayanagar and Bahmani Empires are among the most important topics in medieval Indian history. Questions on them appear regularly in Railway, SSC and UPSC exams. This article gives you 20 original MCQs with correct answers and short explanations. The questions cover the founding of both kingdoms, key rulers, the Battle of Talikota, the Raichur Doab conflict, administration, coins and architecture. Each answer comes with extra facts that help you remember names, dates and causes. Students preparing for SSC CGL, RRB NTPC, UPSC Prelims and other competitive exams can use these questions for quick revision. First, try each question on your own. Then check the answer and read the explanation carefully. Keep reading to test your knowledge section by section.
Founding, Sangama and Saluva Rulers of Vijayanagara MCQs
Q1
Which dynasty was the first ruling dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire?
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Answer: B) Sangama dynasty
Harihara I and Bukka I founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336. They built their capital on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River. Moreover, the brothers took the name Sangama from their father. Therefore, historians call the first dynasty the Sangama dynasty. Later, the Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu dynasties followed it.
Q2
Beside which river did the rulers of Vijayanagara build their capital?
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Answer: D) Tungabhadra
The capital city stood beside the Tungabhadra River. Today its ruins lie at Hampi in Karnataka. In addition, UNESCO listed the Group of Monuments at Hampi as a World Heritage Site in 1986. Rocky granite hills and the river also protected the city. As a result, the site attracts many visitors and researchers.
Q3
Which Persian envoy visited the court of Deva Raya II and wrote about Vijayanagara?
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Answer: A) Abdur Razzaq
Abdur Razzaq came from the court of the Timurid ruler Shah Rukh. He reached Vijayanagara around 1443. Furthermore, he described the fortifications, markets and festivals of the city. In addition, Nicolo de Conti, an Italian merchant, visited during the reign of Deva Raya I. Therefore, students should not confuse these two travellers.
Q4
Who founded the Saluva dynasty of Vijayanagara?
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Answer: C) Saluva Narasimha
Saluva Narasimha founded the Saluva dynasty around 1485. He took power when the weak Sangama rulers lost control. Consequently, historians treat the Saluva period as a short link between the Sangama and Tuluva dynasties. Moreover, his general Narasa Nayaka gained great influence. Later, the son of Narasa Nayaka, Vira Narasimha, founded the Tuluva dynasty.
Q5
Which Sangama ruler carried the title Gajabetekara, meaning elephant hunter?
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Answer: B) Deva Raya II
Deva Raya II ruled from 1424 to 1446. He strengthened his army by recruiting skilled Muslim archers and cavalry. Therefore, his forces grew stronger against the Bahmani Sultanate. Meanwhile, the empire also enjoyed rich trade and cultural growth. Historians consider him one of the greatest Sangama kings.
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Krishnadevaraya, Tuluva Dynasty and Fall of Vijayanagara MCQs
Q6
Which Vijayanagara ruler composed the Telugu work Amuktamalyada?
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Answer: C) Krishnadevaraya
Krishnadevaraya ruled from 1509 to 1529. He wrote Amuktamalyada in Telugu and also composed works in Sanskrit. Moreover, he defeated the Bijapur ruler at Raichur in 1520. As a result, Vijayanagara reached its peak under him. Furthermore, he supported poets, artists and temple builders.
Q7
What name did the group of eight Telugu poets in the court of Krishnadevaraya carry?
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Answer: A) Ashtadiggajas
The Ashtadiggajas were eight famous Telugu poets who graced the court of Krishnadevaraya. For instance, Allasani Peddana wrote Manucharitra and earned the title Andhra Kavita Pitamaha. Similarly, Nandi Timmana composed Parijatapaharanam. Because of this, Telugu literature flourished during his reign. Historians therefore call this era a golden age of Telugu literature.
Q8
Which Portuguese traveller wrote an account of Vijayanagara during the reign of Krishnadevaraya?
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Answer: D) Domingo Paes
Domingo Paes visited Vijayanagara around 1520. He described the markets, palaces and Mahanavami festival of the capital. Moreover, his account helps historians understand daily life in the city. In contrast, Fernao Nuniz visited later, during the reign of Achyuta Deva Raya. Together, both Portuguese writers give valuable details about the empire.
Q9
Which battle of 1565 broke the power of the Vijayanagara Empire?
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Answer: B) Battle of Talikota
The Deccan sultanates of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda and Bidar joined forces against Vijayanagara. Rama Raya, the regent, led the Vijayanagara army. However, the allied army won the battle and Rama Raya lost his life. As a result, the victors plundered the capital for several months. Consequently, Vijayanagara never regained its earlier glory.
Q10
Which dynasty ruled Vijayanagara last?
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Answer: A) Aravidu dynasty
Tirumala Raya founded the Aravidu dynasty after the Battle of Talikota. He moved the capital from the ruined city to Penukonda. Later, rulers of the dynasty shifted their seat of power to Chandragiri. Meanwhile, the territory of the empire shrank steadily. Eventually, the dynasty faded away in the mid-1600s.
Bahmani Sultanate History MCQs for SSC, Railway and UPSC
Q11
Who founded the Bahmani Sultanate in 1347?
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Answer: D) Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah
Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah founded the Bahmani Sultanate in 1347. He rebelled against the rule of Muhammad bin Tughlaq in the Deccan. As a result, the region gained an independent Muslim kingdom. Moreover, the dynasty ruled part of the Deccan for nearly two centuries. Its later rulers fought many wars against Vijayanagara.
Q12
Which city served as the first capital of the Bahmani Sultanate?
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Answer: C) Gulbarga
Gulbarga served as the first capital of the Bahmani Sultanate. Alauddin Bahman Shah also called the city Ahsanabad. In addition, the rulers built the Jama Masjid and a large fort there. The Jama Masjid stands out because a roof covers its whole prayer space. Later, the Bahmani court moved to a new capital.
Q13
Which Bahmani ruler shifted the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar?
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Answer: B) Ahmad Shah I
Ahmad Shah I moved the Bahmani capital from Gulbarga to Bidar in the 1420s. Bidar stood on a high plateau. Moreover, its fort site helped the rulers defend the capital. Therefore, the sultans built palaces, mosques and a strong fort there. Bidar remained the capital for the rest of the Bahmani period.
Q14
Which minister of the Bahmani Sultanate reorganised the administration and built a madrasa at Bidar?
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Answer: A) Mahmud Gawan
Mahmud Gawan came from Persia and served as chief minister under Muhammad Shah III. He reformed the administration and divided the kingdom into eight provinces called tarafs. Moreover, he built a famous madrasa at Bidar. In contrast, jealous nobles turned the sultan against him. As a result, the sultan executed him in 1481.
Q15
Into how many independent Deccan states did the Bahmani Sultanate break up?
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Answer: C) Five
The Bahmani Sultanate broke into five Deccan states in the late 1400s and early 1500s. These states were Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Berar, Golconda and Bidar. For example, the Adil Shahis ruled Bijapur and the Qutb Shahis ruled Golconda. Because of this, the Deccan lost a single strong power. Later, four of them fought together against Vijayanagara at Talikota.
Q16
Which Russian merchant visited the Bahmani kingdom in the fifteenth century?
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Answer: D) Afanasy Nikitin
Afanasy Nikitin came from Tver in Russia. He visited the Bahmani kingdom in the 1470s and stayed at Bidar. Furthermore, he wrote a travel account called Voyage Beyond Three Seas. His notes describe the wealth of nobles and the hardship of ordinary people. Therefore, historians treat his account as a useful source on Bahmani society.
Vijayanagar and Bahmani Empires
Vijayanagara and Bahmani Wars, Economy and Architecture MCQs
Q17
Which fertile region caused repeated wars between Vijayanagara and the Bahmani Sultanate?
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Answer: B) Raichur Doab
The Raichur Doab lies between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. Its rich soil gave both powers strong reasons to control it. Moreover, forts such as Raichur and Mudgal made the region strategically important. As a result, the two kingdoms fought many wars over it. In 1520, Krishnadevaraya captured Raichur from the ruler of Bijapur.
Q18
Which gold coin, called the pagoda by European traders, circulated widely in Vijayanagara?
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Answer: A) Varaha
Vijayanagara rulers issued gold coins called varahas. European traders called these coins pagodas. Moreover, the empire earned wealth from spices, cotton cloth and precious stones. As a result, its trade with Persia and Europe flourished. Smaller coins also helped daily trade in the markets.
Q19
What service did the amara-nayakas of Vijayanagara give in return for their land grants?
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Answer: C) Supplying soldiers to the king
The Vijayanagara kings gave land grants called amaram to military chiefs. These chiefs, called amara-nayakas, collected revenue from that land. In return, they maintained troops, horses and elephants for the royal army. Moreover, they paid a share of their income to the king. Because of this, the empire kept a large army without paying every soldier directly.
Q20
Which temple at Hampi contains the famous stone chariot?
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Answer: D) Vitthala Temple
The Vitthala Temple at Hampi contains the famous stone chariot shrine. Its hall also has musical pillars that produce notes when visitors strike them. Moreover, the temple reflects the grand style of Vijayanagara architecture. In contrast, the Virupaksha Temple continues to serve as an active place of worship. Both temples show the empire’s skill in stone carving.