question_answer

Why was the South-western part of Vijayanagara settlement designated as Royal Centre? Explain.

Answer:

1.  The ?Royal Centre? was located in the South-western part of the settlement and it had 60 temples.

2. The patronage of temples and cults was important for rulers. They were trying to establish and legitimise their authority through association with the divinities kept in the shrines.

3. Approximately, 30 building complexes have been identified as palaces. These are large structures that do not seem to have been associated with ritual functions.

4. One typical difference between the other structures and temples is that the latter were made entirely of masonry, while the superstructure of the secular buildings was built with perishable materials.

5. The palace of the king is the largest of the enclosures but has no strong- proof of being a royal residence. It has two of the most impressive platform, often known as the ?Audience Hall? and the ?Mahanavami Dibba?.

6. The Audience Hall is a raised platform with slots of wooden pillars -at close and regular distances and comprises a staircase leading to the 2nd floor. The pillars being closely spaced and would have left little free space and so, it is not clear what the hall was used for. The ?Mahanavami Dibba? is situated on one of the highest points in the city it is a massive platform rising from a base of about 11,000 sq. ft. to a height of 40 ft. The base of the platform is covered with relief carvings.

7. Rituals and ceremonies connected with the structure perhaps coincided with Mahanavami of the ten-day Hindu festival during the months of September and October. The Kings of Vijayanagara displayed their authority, prestige, power and suzerainty on this auspicious occasion.

8. The ?Lotus Mahal? is one of the most beautiful buildings in the royal centre. However, the historians are not sure what the building was used for.

Mackenzie suggested that it may have been a council chamber. One of the most striking structures is known as the ?Hazara Rama Temple?. Most probably, it was used by the King and his family members only. Though the images in the central shrine are missing yet sculpted panels on the walls survive. The scenes from the Ramayana are sculpted on the inner walls of the temple.