Art and Literature
The Vijayanagar Empire has to its credit brilliant cultural and artistic achievements. The Emperors were patrons of all languages- Sanskrit, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada, and under their fostering care some of the finest pieces of literature were produced. Sayarla, the famous commentator of the Vedas, and his brother, Madhava, flourished during the early days of Vijayanagar rule and were deeply attached to the State. The reign of Krishnadeva Raya was of special importance in this branch of activity as in all others. It marked “the dawn of a new era in the literary history of South India. Himself a scholar, a musician and poet, he loved to gather around him poets, philosophers, and religious teachers whom he honours, with munificent gifts of land and money “. He wrote his magnum opus, Amuktamalyada, in Telugu, in the introduction to which he refers to five Sanskrit works written by him. This book is not merely of religious interest but also of great historical importance for the reign of Krishnadeva Raya. In his court “flourished the ‘Astadiggajas’, ‘the eight elephants’ (famous poets), who supported the world of (Telugu) literature”. His poet laureate, Peddana, enjoyed a wide reputation and held a high position among Telugu writers. Even the rulers of the Aravidu dynasty patronised poets and religious teachers, and Telugu literature flourished under them with “reinforced vigour”. There were also authors among the petty chiefs and relatives of the emperors. Works on music, dancing, drama, grammar, logic, philosophy, etc., received encouragement from the emperors and their ministers. In short, the Vijayanagar Empire was a ” synthesis of South Indian culture”.
Along with the growth of culture we have a remarkable development of art and architecture. The ruins of the old capital of this Empire proclaim to the world that there evolved, in the days of its glory, a distinct style of architecture, sculpture and painting by native artists. The famous Hazara temple, built during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya, is, remarks Longhurst, “one of the most perfect specimens of Hindu temple architecture in existence”. The Vitthalasvami temple is also a fine example of Vijayanagar style. In the opinion of Fergusson, it “shows the extreme limit in florid magnificence to which the style advanced”. The art of painting attained a high degree of excellence, and the art of music rapidly developed. Some new works on the subject of music were produced. Krishnadeva Raya and the Regent, Rama Raya, were proficient in music. Theatres provided amusement for the people of the kingdom.
Epigraphic and literary evidence clearly shows that the rulers of Vijayanagar were of pious disposition and devoted to Dharma. But they were not fanatics. Their attitude towards the prevailing four sects, Saiva, Bauddha, Vaishnava and Jains, and even alien creeds, Christian, Jewish and Moorish, was liberal. Barbosa writes: “The King allows such freedom that every man may come and go and live according to his own creed without suffering any annoyance, and without enquiry, whether he is a Christian, Jew, Moor or Hindu.”
Administration of the Vijayanagar Empire
The Vijayanagar Empire gradually developed a centralised administration with all its branches carefully organised. No doubt, for the task which they set before themselves, its rulers had to maintain a strong army and also to undertake military expeditions, but it does not seem to be correct to describe their State as an essentially military one based on force and condemn it as an organisation which “contained no principle of development; ……… represented no ideal of human progress and therefore could not be lasting”, as a modern writer has done. As matter of fact, with the expansion of the Empire, its rulers organized the administration with such efficiency as served to remove the disorders that had prevailed during the periods of war and facilitate the pursuit of peaceful activities in various fields.
As in other medieval governments, the King was the fountain head of all power in the Vijayanagar State. He was the supreme authority in civil, military as well as judicial affairs, and also often intervened to settle social disputes. But he was not an irresponsible despot, neglecting the interests of the kingdom and ignoring the rights and wishes of the people. The Vijayanagar kings knew how to secure the goodwill of the people; and by their liberal policy they “conduced towards bringing peace and plenty into the kingdom “. “A crowned King,” writes Krishnadeva Raya in his Amuktamalyada, “should always rule with an eye towards Dharma.” He further says that “a King should rule collecting round him people skilled in statecraft, should investigate the mines yielding precious metals in his kingdom and extract the same, should levy taxes from his people moderately, should counteract the acts of his enemies by crushing them with force, should be friendly, should protect one and all of his subjects, should put an end to the mixing up of the castes among them, should always try to increase the merit of the Brahmanas, should strengthen his fortress and lessen the growth of the undesirable things and should be ever mindful of the purification of his cities…”
The King was assisted in the task of administration by a council of ministers, appointed by him. Though the Brahmanas held high offices in the administration and had considerable influence, the ministers were recruited not only from their ranks but also from those of the Kshatriyas and the Vaisyas. The office of a minister was ” sometimes hereditary and sometimes rested on selection”. Both ‘Abdur Razzaq and Nuniz refer to the existence of a sort of secretariat. Besides the ministers, the other officers of the State were the chief treasurer; the custodians of the jewels; an officer who was to look after the commercial interests of the State; the prefect of the police, who was responsible for the prevention of crime and maintenance of order in the city; the chief master of the horse; and subordinate officials like the bhats, who sang the praise of the kings, the betel-bearers or personal attendants of the King, the calendar-makers, the engravers and the composer of inscriptions.
A magnificent court was maintained by the kings of Vijayanagar in the capital city at a huge cost of money. It was attended by nobles, priests, litterateurs, astrologers and musicians, and festivals were celebrated with great pomp and grandeur.
