Fig. 7.33 is an illustration of another pillar from the Virupaksha temple. Do you notice any floral motifs? What are the animals shown? Why do you think they are depicted? Describe the human figures shown.
Given illustration of the pillar from the Virupaksha temple has pictures of plants bearing flowers and different animals-birds.Animals, birds include peacock, horse, duck, etc. These pictures were probably carved out on gateways to attract people. These pictures also express devotion, religiousness and-love for art of patronage ruler.Except this various kinds of animals and birds were associated with different gods and goddesses.
That was why they were also worshipped.Human pictures include both deities and their worshippers respectively. A god is shown wearing malas and crown. He also has gadda in his hands.Probably he was the destroyer of Rakshashas. In another picture devotee is shown near the ‘Shivlinga’ His method of worship is also strange which is not applicable in any form
What do you think was the significance of the rituals associated with the mahanavami dibba?
On an outline map of the world, mark approximately Italy, Portugal, Iran and Russia. Trace the routes the travellers mentioned on p.176 would have taken to reach Vijayanagara.
How were the water requirements of Vijayanagara met?
Discuss whether the term “royal centre” is an appropriate description for the part of the city for which it is used.
What impression of the lives of the ordinary people of Vijayanagara can you cull from the various descriptions in the chapter?
What does the architecture of buildings like the Lotus Mahal and elephant stables tell us about the rulers who commissioned them?
What do you think were the advantages and disadvantages of enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area of the city?
What have been the methods used to study the ruins of Hampi over the last two centuries? In what way do you think they would have complemented the information provided by the priests of the Virupaksha temple?
What are the architectural traditions that inspired the architects of Vijayanagara? How did they transform these traditions?
Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind.
What are the problems in using the Ain as a source for reconstructing agrarian history? How do historians deal with this situation?
Explain with examples what historians mean by the integration of cults.
Describe the process of manuscript production in the Mughal court.
Compare and contrast the perspectives from which Ibn Battuta and Bernier wrote their accounts of their travels in India.
To what extent is it possible to characterise agricultural production in the sixteenth-seventeenth centuries as subsistence agriculture? Give reasons for your answer.
To what extent do you think the architecture of mosques in the subcontinent reflects a combination of universal ideals and local traditions?
In what ways would the daily routine and special festivities associated with the Mughal court have conveyed a sense of the power of the emperor?
Discuss the picture of urban centres that emerges from Bernier’s account.
Describe the role played by women in agricultural production.
What were the elements of the practice of sati that drew the attention of Bernier?
What were the similarities and differences between the be-shari‘a and ba-shari‘a sufi traditions?
To what extent do you think caste was a factor in influencing social and economic relations in agrarian society?
Discuss Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system.
To what extent do you think the architecture of mosques in the subcontinent reflects a combination of universal ideals and local traditions?
Examine the role played by zamindars in Mughal India.
Examine how and why rulers tried to establish connections with the traditions of the Nayanars and the sufis.
Discuss the picture of urban centres that emerges from Bernier’s account.
Discuss, with examples, the significance of monetary transactions during the period under consideration.
Discuss, with examples, the distinctive features of Mughal chronicles.