1.

Discuss whether the term '' royal centre '' is an appropriate description for the part of the city for which it is used.

Answer»

Solution :(i) The royal centre was located in the South - western part of the Vijayanagara city. The temples `(60)` outnumber the building complex `(30)` designated as palaces.
(ii) The fact that temples outnumber the secular STRUCTURES, scholars feel, point to the fact that rulers extended partronage to tamples in order to legitimise their rule and ACQUIRE a divine status for themselves.
(iii) The difference between temples and buildings identified as places is that temples have been constructed entirely of masonry while secular buildings have been made of perishable materials.
(iv) The very unique structure is the royal palace. It is the largest of the enclosures but has not YIELDED definitive proof of being a royal residence.
(v) Two platforms have been named- Audience Hall and Mahanavami dibba. First ine is a very high platform with slots for wooden pillars at close and regular intervals. It has a stair going upto the second floor which rested on these pillars - little free space, not clear what he halls was used for.
(vi) Mahanavami dibba is located on the highest point in the city and is a massive platform rising from a base of about `11000 `sq.ft. to a height of `40ft`. Proof explains that it supported a wooden structure. The base of the platform is covered with fine carvings.
(vii) Lotus Mahal is the other building. It was named by a British visitor in the `19th` century. Historians are not agreed on its uses. According to map drawn by MACKENZIE it may have been a council chamber where the king met with his asvisers.
(viii) Hazara temple is the most important temple found in the royal centre. It was meant to be used by the king and his family. The images of the central shrine are missing. The sculpted panels which survive include SCENES from the Ramayana.


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