Consider the following statements regarding the administrative structure and military organization of the Vijayanagara Empire: 1. The empire was divided into provinces known as Mandalas, which were further subdivided into Nadus and Sthalas. 2. The Nayankara system involved the assignment of revenue-yielding territories called Amaram to military chiefs known as Nayakas in exchange for military service. 3. The central treasury and foreign trade were supervised by an official council called the Ayyavole guild. Which of the statements given above are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Vijayanagara administrative apparatus featured provincial units styled as Mandalas headed by Mandaladhipatis, further divided into smaller units like Nadus. The Nayankara system was a unique feudal military arrangement where Nayakas collected revenue from assigned lands to maintain troops for the imperial sovereign. The Ayyavole guild was an ancient and autonomous merchant corporation operating across southern India rather than an imperial cabinet council. The Mahanayakacharya acted as an intermediary between the central government and local assemblies.