UPSC CSE Prelims
Administration Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Administration with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal?
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: ✅ Krishnadevaraya
Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire maintained cordial relations with the Portuguese. In 1510, he permitted the Portuguese governor Alfonso de Albuquerque to build a fort at Bhatkal on the western coast. This strengthened trade relations between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Portuguese.
✅ Krishnadevaraya is Correct: He allowed the Portuguese to construct a fort at Bhatkal to promote trade and strategic cooperation.
❌ Narasimha Saluva is Incorrect: His reign preceded the period of significant Portuguese political influence in India.
❌ Muhammad Shah III is Incorrect: He ruled before the arrival of the Portuguese in India (1498).
❌ Yusuf Adil Shah is Incorrect: He had hostile relations with the Portuguese, especially regarding Goa.
Short Notes: Vijayanagara Empire and the Portuguese
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Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498 at Calicut.
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Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529) was the greatest ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty.
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Portuguese governor Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa in 1510.
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Bhatkal was an important port on the Karnataka coast.
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Vijayanagara imported horses, firearms, and luxury goods through Portuguese traders.
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Krishnadevaraya wrote the Telugu work Amuktamalyada.
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The empire reached its peak during Krishnadevaraya's reign.
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The Battle of Talikota (1565) led to the decline of Vijayanagara.
Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Devaraya I
Devaraya I (r. 1406-1422 CE) of the Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam/barrage across the Tungabhadra River around 1410 CE and commissioned a 24 km long canal-cum-aqueduct to bring water to the capital city of Vijayanagara. This monumental irrigation project brought immense prosperity to the kingdom, as documented by Portuguese traveler Fernão Nunes (Nuniz), who provided detailed accounts of Devaraya I's infrastructure projects. These hydraulic works stand as a testament to the advanced engineering capabilities of the Vijayanagara Empire.
📝 Short Notes: Vijayanagara Empire - Major Rulers and Contributions
| Ruler | Dynasty | Period | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harihara I & Bukka I | Sangama | 1336-1377 CE | Founders of Vijayanagara Empire |
| Devaraya I | Sangama | 1406-1422 CE | Tungabhadra dam & 24 km aqueduct; military reforms; employed Muslim archers |
| Devaraya II | Sangama | 1422-1446 CE | Greatest ruler of Sangama dynasty; defeated Gajapatis; visited by Abdur Razzaq |
| Krishnadevaraya | Tuluva | 1509-1529 CE | Greatest ruler of Vijayanagara; defeated Bahmanis; built Hazara Rama temple; patronized Ashtadiggajas |
| Achyutaraya | Tuluva | 1529-1542 CE | Brother of Krishnadevaraya; temple construction |
Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements :
- The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land.
- Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — Both 1 and 2
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Krishna Deva Raya's administration implemented a systematic land revenue system where tax rates varied according to land quality, fertility, and irrigation facilities. More productive and well-irrigated lands were taxed at higher rates, while less fertile lands attracted lower levies. This differential taxation ensured equity and maximized revenue collection.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Vijayanagara Empire under Krishna Deva Raya imposed taxes on various economic activities beyond agriculture. Private owners of workshops and industrial establishments paid specific industry taxes (vari-vasoolu or professional taxes). These levies on artisans, weavers, blacksmiths, and other craftsmen formed an important component of the state's non-agrarian revenue.
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In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for
Detailed Explanation:
Mahattara and Pattakila were designations for village headmen in medieval India, responsible for local administration and revenue collection.
Mahattara was the superior/chief headman of the village, while Pattakila was the subordinate/assistant headman who assisted in administrative duties.
Related Topics in Medieval History
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