1. Which all dynasties ruled Vijayanagar from  A.D. 1336 to 1672?
Four dynasties – Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu – ruled Vijayanagar from A.D. 1336 to 1672.

2. Name some of the indegenous literature from the Vijayanagar reign.
Krishnadevaraya’s Amukthamalyada, Gangadevi’s Maduravijayam and Allasani Peddanna’s Manucharitam are some of the indigenous literature of this period.

3. Name the foreign travellers who visited the Vijayanagar Empire and left valuable accounts on the same.
Many foreign travelers visited the Vijayanagar Empire and their accounts are valuable. The Moroccan traveler , Ibn Battuta, Venetian traveler Nicolo de Conti, Persian traveler Abdur Razzak and the Portuguese traveler Domingo Paes were among them who left valuable accounts on the socio-economic conditions of the Vijayanagar Empire.

4. Give some of the archaeological remains that speak about the Vijayanagar history.
The copper plate inscriptions such as the Srirangam copper plates of Devaraya II provide the genealogy and achievements of Vijayanagar rulers. The Hampi ruins and other monuments of Vijayanagar provide information on the cultural contributions of the Vijayanagar rulers. The numerous coins issued by the Vijayanagar rulers contain figures and legends explaining their titles and achievements.

5. Write notes on the founding of Vijayanagar.
Vijayanagar was founded in 1336 by Harihara and Bukka of the Sangama dynasty . They originally served under the Kakatiya rulers of Warangal. Then they went to Kampili where they were imprisoned and converted to Islam. Later, they returned to the Hindu fold at the initiative of the saint Vidyaranya. They also proclaimed their independence and founded a new city on the south bank of the Tungabhadra river . It was called Vijayanagar meaning city of victory .

6. Write notes on the expansion of the Vijayanagar Empire.
The decline of the Hoysala kingdom enabled Harihara and Bukka to expand their newly founded kingdom. By 1346, they brought the whole of the Hoysala kingdom under their control. The struggle between Vijayanagar and Sultanate of Madurai lasted for about four decades. Kumarakampana’s expedition to Madurai was described in the Maduravijayam. He destroyed the Madurai Sultans and as a result, the Vijayanagar Empire comprised the whole of South India up to Rameswaram.

7. What was the reason of conflict between the Vijayanagar and the Bahmani kingdoms?
The conflict between Vijayanagar Empire and the Bahmani kingdom lasted for many years. The dispute over Raichur Doab, the region between the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra and also over the fertile areas of Krishna-Godavari delta led to this long-drawn conflict.  

8. Give notes on Krishna Deva Raya's conquest of Raipur.
Krishna Deva Raya's first task was to check the invading Bahmani forces. By that time the Bahmani kingdom was replaced by Deccan Sultanates. The Muslim armies were decisively defeated in the Battle of Diwani by Krishna Deva Raya. Then he invaded Raichur Doab which had resulted in the confrontation with the Sultan of Bijapur , Ismail Adil Shah. But, Krishna Deva Raya defeated him and captured the city of Raichur in 1520. From there he marched on to Bidar and captured it.

9. What was Krishna Deva Raya's political scenario after the conquest of Raichur.
Krishna Deva Raya’s Orissa campaign after the conquest of Raichur was also successful. He defeated the Gajapathi ruler Prataparudra and conquered the whole of Telungana. He maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese. Albuquerque sent his ambassadors to Krishna Deva Raya.

10. Write on Krishna Deva Raya's patronage of art and literature.
Krishna Deva Raya was a great patron of literature and art and he was known as Andhra Bhoja. Eight eminent scholars known as Ashtadiggajas were at his royal court. Allasani Peddanna was the greatest and he was called Andhrakavita Pitamaga. His important works include Manucharitam  and Harikathasaram . Pingali Suranna and Tenali Ramakrishna were other important scholars. Krishna Deva Raya himself authored a Telugu work, Amukthamalyadha  and Sanskrit works, Jambavati Kalyanam and Ushaparinayam.

11. What was Krishna Deva Raya's attitude towards religion?
Though a Vaishnavaite, he respected all religions. He repaired most of the temples of south India. He also built the famous Vittalaswamy and Hazara Ramaswamy temples at Vijayanagar.

12. Who were the successors of Krishna Deva Raya until the decline of the Vijayanagar kingdom?
After his death, Achutadeva and Venkata succeeded the throne. During the reign of Rama Raya, the combined forces of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golkonda and Bidar defeated him at the Battle of Talaikotta in 1565. This battle is also known as Raksasa Thangadi. Rama Raya was imprisoned and executed. The city of Vijayanagar was destroyed. This battle was generally considered to mark the end of the Vijayanagar Empire. However,  the Vijayanagar kingdom existed under the Aravidu dynasty for about another century . Thirumala, Sri Ranga and Venkata II were the important rulers of this dynasty . The last ruler of Vijayanagar kingdom was Sri Ranga III.

13. How was judicial administration carried out by the Vijayanagar rulers?
The administration under the Vijayanagar Empire was well organized. The king enjoyed absolute authority in executive, judicial and legislative matters. He was the highest court of appeal. The succession to the throne was on the principle of hereditary succession. Sometimes usurpation to the throne took place as Saluva Narasimha came to power by ending the Sangama dynasty. The king was assisted by a council of ministers in his day to day administration. In the matter of justice, harsh punishments such as mutilation and throwing to elephants were followed.
The Empire was divided into different administrative units called Mandalams, Nadus, Sthalas  and finally into Gramas. The governor of Mandalam was called Mandaleswara or Nayak. Vijayanagar rulers gave full powers to the local authorities in the administration.

14. What was the income and expenditure of the Vijayanagar government?
Besides land revenue, tributes and gifts from vassals and feudal chiefs, customs collected at the ports, taxes on various professions were other sources of income to the government. Land revenue was fixed generally one sixth of the produce. The expenditure of the government includes personal expenses of king and the charities given by him and military expenditure.