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Q47 (IAS/2015) History & Culture › Medieval India › Vijayanagara polity Official Key

Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

Bukka (1356-77) founded a new city on the southern bank of a tributary to the river Krishna, ruling his kingdom as the agent of a deity[7]. However, the question asks about the founder who first established this practice. Harihara and Bukka, the two brothers and eldest sons of Sangama, laid the foundation for the Vijayanagar kingdom in about 1336[8]. Their capital city, Vijayanagar, stood on the south bank of river Tungabhadra[9], which is a right hand tributary of the Krishna river[10].

Since Harihara I was the elder brother and co-founder who established the kingdom first, he would be credited with founding the new city and initiating the practice of ruling as the agent of a deity. The concept of ruling as a divine agent, with all land south of Krishna belonging to the deity, was a distinctive feature of Vijayanagar kingship established by its founders. Therefore, Harihara I is the correct answer.

Sources
  1. [1] https://universalinstitutions.com/bahamani-and-vijayanagara-empire/
  2. [2] https://universalinstitutions.com/bahamani-and-vijayanagara-empire/
  3. [3] https://universalinstitutions.com/bahamani-and-vijayanagara-empire/
  4. [4] https://universalinstitutions.com/bahamani-and-vijayanagara-empire/
  5. [5] https://universalinstitutions.com/bahamani-and-vijayanagara-empire/
  6. [6] https://universalinstitutions.com/bahamani-and-vijayanagara-empire/
  7. [7] https://universalinstitutions.com/bahamani-and-vijayanagara-empire/
  8. [8] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Origin and Expansion > p. 180
  9. [9] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > 12.6 Art and Architecture > p. 186
  10. [10] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > Table 8.9 > p. 23
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Q. Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the ag…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 1.2/10 · 7.5/10

This is a classic 'Sitter' that rewards reading standard texts (NCERT/TN Board) with attention to geography. It fuses three distinct facts: the founder (Harihara I), the specific riverine location (Tungabhadra as a Krishna tributary), and the royal ideology (Virupaksha cult). It proves that map-based history reading is non-negotiable.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Was Amoghavarsha I the founder of a new city on the south bank of a tributary of the Krishna River?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Bukka (1356-77)​​ Founded a new city on the southern bank of a tributary to the river Krishna, ruling his kingdom as the agent of a deity ..."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names Bukka (1356-77) as the founder of a new city on the southern bank of a tributary to the river Krishna.
  • This attribution identifies a different founder (Bukka), directly refuting the claim that Amoghavarsha I was the founder.
Web source
Presence: 2/5
"Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook ... (c) Harihara I (d) Prataparudra"
Why this source?
  • Presents the same MCQ about founding a new city on a tributary of the Krishna and lists other candidate founders (e.g., Harihara I, Prataparudra).
  • Amoghavarsha I is not presented as an option here, supporting that he is not commonly identified as the founder.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Krishna I and His Successors > p. 113
Strength: 3/5
“Amoghavarsha was a patron of literature and he patronised the famous Digambara acharya Jinasena, Sanskrit grammarian Sakatayana and the mathematician Mahaviracharya Krishna III was the last great ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. Soon after his accession, he invaded the Chola kingdom along with his brother-in-law Butunga. Kanchi and Thanjavur were captured in 943 CE. His army remained in effective control of Thondaimandalam, consisting of Arcot, Chengalpattu and Vellore. In 949 CE, he defeated the Chola army of Rajadithya in the battle of Takkolam (in present day Vellore district). Krishna III marched upto Rameshvaram where he built a pillar of victory.”
Why relevant

Mentions Amoghavarsha as a Rashtrakuta ruler and patron of learning, illustrating that regional kings of the period acted as patrons and sometimes founders of institutions or urban foundations.

How to extend

A student could combine this with examples of contemporary rulers who founded towns to assess whether Amoghavarsha might plausibly have founded a city.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > 12.6 Art and Architecture > p. 186
Strength: 5/5
“The finest temples of Vijayanagara are in Hampi, which has been designated as a World Heritage City. Their capital city, Vijayanagar, stood on the south bank of river Tungabhadra. After the battle of Talikota (1565 CE) this splendid city fell prey to the fury of the victors who wrought untold havoc and destruction. We can form an idea of the architectural achievements of the Vijayanagara rulers and the ruins of Hampi from the accounts of foreign travelers, Nicolo Conti and Abdur Razak. Krishnadeva Raya was a great builder. He founded a town Nagalapura (near Vijayanagar), in memory of his mother, Nagamba and built tanks, gopurams and temples in various parts of empire.”
Why relevant

States that the Vijayanagar capital stood on the south bank of the Tungabhadra (a Krishna tributary) and gives an example of a king (Krishnadeva Raya) founding a town (Nagalapura).

How to extend

Using a map to locate the Tungabhadra as a Krishna tributary and the pattern of royal town-founding on south-bank sites, a student could judge the geographic plausibility of the statement.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Krishna > p. 21
Strength: 4/5
“The river of Krishna has its origin near Mahabaleshwar in the vertical faces of the Western Ghats. Its length is 1290 km and basin area 2,54,743 sq km. A number of minor streams like Koyna and Ghataparbha join the Krishna river to give a subdendritic pattern. The Bhima in the north and the Tungbhadra in the south are the other important tributaries of the Krishna river. Downwards passing through the quartzite scarps, the Krishna has been dammed to form the Nagarjun-Sagar Reservoir. Further east, beyond the gorge in the Srisailam Hills below Vijaiwada, it has built its fertile bird-foot delta (Mississippi-type).”
Why relevant

Lists important tributaries of the Krishna (e.g., Tungabhadra, Bhima) and describes the river's course and basin — supplying geographic context about where a new city on a tributary's bank might be located.

How to extend

A student could use this to identify which tributaries and their south banks are potential locations and then check historical records for Amoghavarsha's activity in those areas.

INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > River Systems of the Peninsular Drainage > p. 24
Strength: 4/5
“Pranhita, and the Manjra are its principal tributaries. The Godavari is subjected to heavy floods in its lower reaches to the south of Polavaram, where it forms a picturesque gorge. It is navigable only in the deltaic stretch. The river after Rajamundri splits into several branches forming a large delta. The Krishna is the second largest eastflowing Peninsular river which rises near Mahabaleshwar in Sahyadri. Its total length is 1,401 km. The Koyna, the Tungbhadra and the Bhima are its major tributaries. Of the total catchment area of the Krishna, 27 per cent lies in Maharashtra, 44 per cent in Karnataka and 29 per cent in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.”
Why relevant

Also names the Krishna's major tributaries (Koyna, Tungabhadra, Bhima) and specifies the basin across Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, giving regional limits for plausible city-foundings.

How to extend

Combine this with knowledge of Rashtrakuta territorial control to see if Amoghavarsha's realm overlapped these river-bank zones where he could have founded a city.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara (c. fourteenth to sixteenth century) > p. 170
Strength: 3/5
“Vijayanagara or "city of victory" was the name of both a city and an empire. The empire was founded in the fourteenth century. In its heyday it stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the peninsula. In 1565 the city was sacked and subsequently deserted. Although it fell into ruin in the seventeenth-eighteenth centuries, it lived on in the memories of people living in the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab. They remembered it as Hampi, a name derived from that of the local mother goddess, Pampadevi. These oral traditions combined with archaeological finds, monuments and inscriptions and other records helped scholars to rediscover the Vijayanagara Empire.”
Why relevant

Describes the importance of the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab region as a locus of major cities/empires (Vijayanagara) showing the recurring pattern of major urban centres on/near Krishna tributaries.

How to extend

A student could use this pattern to hypothesize that other rulers (including earlier ones) might have founded cities in similar riverine locations and then seek specific evidence about Amoghavarsha.

Statement 2
Did Amoghavarsha I undertake to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity who claimed sovereignty over all land south of the Krishna River?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Bukka (1356-77)​​ Founded a new city on the southern bank of a tributary to the river Krishna, ruling his kingdom as the agent of a deity ..."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly attributes the described act (founding a city on a tributary of the Krishna and ruling as agent of a deity) to Bukka, not Amoghavarsha I.
  • Directly matches the wording of the statement but names a different ruler, which refutes the claim about Amoghavarsha I.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?"
Why this source?
  • Contains the exact UPSC-style question phrasing about founding a city on a tributary of the Krishna and ruling as agent of a deity.
  • Shows the historical attribution is part of a question set (implying a specific known ruler), not Amoghavarsha I.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 10.2 The growth of Puranic Hinduism > p. 105
Strength: 4/5
“We know for instance that Vasudeva-Krishna was an important deity in the Mathura region. Over centuries, his worship spread to other parts of the country as well.”
Why relevant

Notes that Vasudeva-Krishna was an important deity whose worship spread across regions — shows a pattern where a deity (Krishna) had widespread cultic importance.

How to extend

A student could check if rulers in the Deccan invoked Vasudeva-Krishna as sovereign authority and whether such claims were phrased as sovereignty over lands south of the Krishna.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > 9.2Pallavas > p. 122
Strength: 4/5
“PALLAVA TERRITORIES Pallava Territories Mahanadi Godavan Krishna Bijapur Arabian Bay of Masulipatnam Sea Bengal Sira PALLAVA ANCHI Vellone Andamarfand Nicobal akshad (India) Calicut (India) PANDIYA Madural Quilor Map not to scale Indian Ocean ۸ with some mixture of north Indian blood The Pallavas were associated with Tondaimandalam, the land between the north Pennar and north Vellar rivers. Simhavishnu is believed to have conquered the Chola country up to the Kaveri and consolidated his dynastic rule, started by his father Simhavarman. Simhavishnu, vanquishing the Kalabhras, conquered the land up to the Kaveri, thereby coming into conflict with the Pandyas. During Mahendravarman's reign, the army of Pulikesin II annexed the northern part of Pallava kingdom and almost reached the Pallava capital of Kanchipuram.”
Why relevant

Maps and territorial descriptions repeatedly use rivers (Pennar, Vellar, Kaveri) as political boundaries — indicating rivers like the Krishna commonly served as landmark boundaries in political claims.

How to extend

Combine this with a map to see whether 'south of the Krishna' was a natural political region rulers might claim on behalf of a deity.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Alaudin Hasan Bahman Shah (1347 - 1358) > p. 176
Strength: 3/5
“Rivalry with the Vijayanagar kingdom over the fertile Raichur doab, lying between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers, not only marked the early history of the Bahmani kingdom, but continued to be an enduring feature over two centuries. Bahman Shah had also to contend in the east with the rulers of Warangal and Orissa. In order to facilitate smooth administration, as followed in the Delhi Sultanate, he divided the kingdom into four territorial divisions called tarafs, each under a governor. 176”
Why relevant

Discussion of the Raichur doab (land between Krishna and Tungabhadra) highlights that specific river-bounded tracts were contested and central to claims of sovereignty.

How to extend

Use this rule (doabs as contested sovereign spaces) to assess whether a ruler would plausibly assert divine agency over territory defined by the Krishna.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Krishna I and His Successors > p. 113
Strength: 3/5
“Amoghavarsha was a patron of literature and he patronised the famous Digambara acharya Jinasena, Sanskrit grammarian Sakatayana and the mathematician Mahaviracharya Krishna III was the last great ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. Soon after his accession, he invaded the Chola kingdom along with his brother-in-law Butunga. Kanchi and Thanjavur were captured in 943 CE. His army remained in effective control of Thondaimandalam, consisting of Arcot, Chengalpattu and Vellore. In 949 CE, he defeated the Chola army of Rajadithya in the battle of Takkolam (in present day Vellore district). Krishna III marched upto Rameshvaram where he built a pillar of victory.”
Why relevant

Provides facts about Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta context, campaigns in south) so we know his political reach and that he was an active southern campaigner — relevant to whether he might adopt a religiously framed claim over southern lands.

How to extend

A student could compare Amoghavarsha’s known conquests with areas 'south of the Krishna' on a map to see if claiming divine agency over those lands would fit his territorial control.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Pala Rulers > p. 111
Strength: 2/5
“He patronised Harisbhadra, a Buddhist writer. Dharmapala's son Devapala extended Pala control eastwards up to Kamarupa (Assam). He defeated Amoghavarsha, the Rashtrakuta ruler, by allying with all the states that regarded the Rashtrakutas as their common enemy. Devapala was also a great patron of Buddhism. He granted five villages to Balaputradeva, the king of the Sailendra dynasty of Suvarnadipa (Sumatra), to maintain a monastery built by him at Nalanda. Devapala was succeeded by Vigramapala, who abdicated his throne after ruling for a few years and went to lead an ascetic life. Narayanapala, son of Vigramapala, was also a man of pacific and religious disposition.”
Why relevant

Records a defeat of Amoghavarsha by Devapala, indicating inter-regional rivalry; such rivalries sometimes motivated rulers to use religious legitimation.

How to extend

Combine this with patterns of royal legitimation to investigate whether Amoghavarsha might have invoked a deity’s universal claim south of the Krishna to justify rule against rivals.

Statement 3
Was Ballala II the founder of a new city on the south bank of a tributary of the Krishna River?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Bukka (1356-77)​​ Founded a new city on the southern bank of a tributary to the river Krishna, ruling his kingdom as the agent of a deity ..."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names the founder of a new city on the southern bank of a tributary to the Krishna as Bukka (1356-77).
  • Since this passage attributes the founding to Bukka, it contradicts the claim that Ballala II was the founder.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?"
Why this source?
  • Repeats the multiple-choice question about who founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to the Krishna and ruled as an agent of a deity.
  • Provides context for the specific historical claim being asked, supporting evaluation of named candidates.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Krishna > p. 21
Strength: 4/5
“The river of Krishna has its origin near Mahabaleshwar in the vertical faces of the Western Ghats. Its length is 1290 km and basin area 2,54,743 sq km. A number of minor streams like Koyna and Ghataparbha join the Krishna river to give a subdendritic pattern. The Bhima in the north and the Tungbhadra in the south are the other important tributaries of the Krishna river. Downwards passing through the quartzite scarps, the Krishna has been dammed to form the Nagarjun-Sagar Reservoir. Further east, beyond the gorge in the Srisailam Hills below Vijaiwada, it has built its fertile bird-foot delta (Mississippi-type).”
Why relevant

States that Tungabhadra is an important tributary of the Krishna, establishing that cities on the Tungabhadra are on a tributary of the Krishna.

How to extend

A student could use a map to confirm the Tungabhadra’s course and locate any medieval city sites on its banks to test the statement.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > Table 8.9 > p. 23
Strength: 4/5
“Tungbhadra Project: Tungbhadra is a right hand tributary of the Krishna river which originates from the Western Ghats (Sahayadri Hills) of the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. The Tungbhadra Dam has been constructed at Mallapuram near Hosepet in the Bellary district. Three power houses have been constructed in this project to generate 126 MW of electricity. The Tungbhadra canals irrigate more than 4 lakh hectares of arable land.• 26. Ukai Dam: Ukai is a tributary of the Tapi river. The Ukai project was launched mainly to harness the Tapi water. The installed capacity of the Ukai project is 300 MW. Its electricity is supplied to Surat and other neighbouring urban centres.”
Why relevant

Explicitly names the Tungabhadra as a right‑hand tributary of the Krishna and gives modern place names (Mallapuram, Bellary district) useful for mapping.

How to extend

Combine this with historical maps/records to see which medieval foundations lie in the Bellary/Hospet region on the Tungabhadra’s south bank.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > 12.6 Art and Architecture > p. 186
Strength: 5/5
“The finest temples of Vijayanagara are in Hampi, which has been designated as a World Heritage City. Their capital city, Vijayanagar, stood on the south bank of river Tungabhadra. After the battle of Talikota (1565 CE) this splendid city fell prey to the fury of the victors who wrought untold havoc and destruction. We can form an idea of the architectural achievements of the Vijayanagara rulers and the ruins of Hampi from the accounts of foreign travelers, Nicolo Conti and Abdur Razak. Krishnadeva Raya was a great builder. He founded a town Nagalapura (near Vijayanagar), in memory of his mother, Nagamba and built tanks, gopurams and temples in various parts of empire.”
Why relevant

States that the capital Vijayanagar stood on the south bank of the Tungabhadra, providing a direct example of a major medieval city founded on the south bank of a Krishna tributary.

How to extend

By analogy, a student could check lists of regional rulers (e.g., Hoysalas) and their foundations in the same riverine zone to see if Ballala II founded a comparable city there.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara (c. fourteenth to sixteenth century) > p. 170
Strength: 4/5
“Vijayanagara or "city of victory" was the name of both a city and an empire. The empire was founded in the fourteenth century. In its heyday it stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the peninsula. In 1565 the city was sacked and subsequently deserted. Although it fell into ruin in the seventeenth-eighteenth centuries, it lived on in the memories of people living in the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab. They remembered it as Hampi, a name derived from that of the local mother goddess, Pampadevi. These oral traditions combined with archaeological finds, monuments and inscriptions and other records helped scholars to rediscover the Vijayanagara Empire.”
Why relevant

Notes Vijayanagara as a medieval imperial city remembered in the Krishna‑Tungabhadra doab, tying major political centres to this tributary and region.

How to extend

A student could use this regional focus (Krishna‑Tungabhadra doab) plus chronological data about Ballala II to check whether he founded a new city in that doab.

CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Krishna Basin > p. 22
Strength: 4/5
“Rising from a spring near Mahabaleshwar, the Krishna flows for about 1400 km and reaches the Bay of Bengal. The Tungabhadra, the Koyana, the Ghatprabha, the Musi and the Bhima are some of its tributaries. Its drainage basin is shared by Maharasthra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.”
Why relevant

Reaffirms that Tungabhadra is among the Krishna’s tributaries and locates the Krishna basin across Karnataka (where Ballala II ruled), linking geography to the Hoysala political zone.

How to extend

Use this to narrow the search to Karnataka parts of the Tungabhadra/Krishna basin and compare with Ballala II’s known territorial base to test plausibility.

Statement 4
Did Ballala II undertake to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity who claimed sovereignty over all land south of the Krishna River?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara (c. fourteenth to sixteenth century) > p. 170
Strength: 5/5
“Vijayanagara or "city of victory" was the name of both a city and an empire. The empire was founded in the fourteenth century. In its heyday it stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the peninsula. In 1565 the city was sacked and subsequently deserted. Although it fell into ruin in the seventeenth-eighteenth centuries, it lived on in the memories of people living in the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab. They remembered it as Hampi, a name derived from that of the local mother goddess, Pampadevi. These oral traditions combined with archaeological finds, monuments and inscriptions and other records helped scholars to rediscover the Vijayanagara Empire.”
Why relevant

Defines the Krishna River as a prominent political/narrative boundary for southern polities (Vijayanagara's northern extent was the Krishna).

How to extend

A student could use this pattern to ask whether rulers south of the Krishna framed sovereignty in relation to that river and thus look for inscriptions mentioning deity claims over lands south of Krishna.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 10.2 The growth of Puranic Hinduism > p. 105
Strength: 4/5
“We know for instance that Vasudeva-Krishna was an important deity in the Mathura region. Over centuries, his worship spread to other parts of the country as well.”
Why relevant

Shows major deities like Vasudeva-Krishna had regional cults that spread beyond one locality, making it plausible rulers invoked such deities for legitimacy.

How to extend

One could check Hoysala-era inscriptions for references to Krishna/Vasudeva as sovereign or as granting kingship to Ballala II.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Origin and Expansion > p. 180
Strength: 3/5
“There are different traditions regarding the foundation of the Vijayanagar kingdom. It is now generally accepted, on the basis of contemporary inscriptions, that the two brothers Harihara and Bukka, the eldest sons of one Sangama, earlier serving the Hoysala rulers of Karnataka, asserted their independence and laid foundation for a new kingdom in about 1336. This happened soon after the death of the Hoysala king Ballala III at the hands of the Madurai Sultan. According to some later-day tradition, Vidyaranya (also called Madhava), a renowned Saiva saint and Sanskrit scholar, is said to have persuaded the brothers to abandon their service to the Tughluqs and also to renounce Islam that they had adopted when they were imprisoned by the Sultan in Delhi.”
Why relevant

Mentions the Hoysalas (Ballala III) and the political milieu from which later regional claims and legitimising narratives (by successors or rivals) emerged.

How to extend

A student might trace Hoysala royal ideology (Ballala II being in that lineage) to see if they adopted deity-agent formulas when establishing rule over new territories south of the Krishna.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Vijayanagar - Bahmani conflict > p. 181
Strength: 3/5
“From the beginning, both the Bahmani and Vijayangar kingdoms were in constant conflict. Capturing the territories, collecting tribute and the control of horse trade were the major issues of conflict. Each of them wanted to annex and dominate the fertile area between the Krishna and the Tungabhadra (the Raichur doab). Though neither of them succeeded fully, much bloodshed took place for some transitory success. In coastal Andhra, the power struggle was between the Gajapati kingdom of Orissa and Vijayanagar. Vijayanagar could not make much headway until the time of Devaraya II (1422-46), who defeated the Orissa army in some battles.”
Why relevant

Describes sustained contest for the fertile Raichur doab between the Krishna and Tungabhadra, indicating the Krishna-Tungabhadra region's political salience and why claims tied to river boundaries mattered.

How to extend

Use this to justify searching for declarations (religious or royal) that set the Krishna as a limit of a deity's or king's sovereignty.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Alaudin Hasan Bahman Shah (1347 - 1358) > p. 176
Strength: 2/5
“Rivalry with the Vijayanagar kingdom over the fertile Raichur doab, lying between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers, not only marked the early history of the Bahmani kingdom, but continued to be an enduring feature over two centuries. Bahman Shah had also to contend in the east with the rulers of Warangal and Orissa. In order to facilitate smooth administration, as followed in the Delhi Sultanate, he divided the kingdom into four territorial divisions called tarafs, each under a governor. 176”
Why relevant

Also highlights the Raichur doab (between Krishna and Tungabhadra) as a long-term focus of territorial claims by regional powers.

How to extend

A student could look for patterns where competing rulers legitimised control of lands up to the Krishna by invoking divine patronage or universal deity claims.

Statement 5
Was Harihara I the founder of a new city on the south bank of a tributary of the Krishna River?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Origin and Expansion > p. 180
Presence: 5/5
“There are different traditions regarding the foundation of the Vijayanagar kingdom. It is now generally accepted, on the basis of contemporary inscriptions, that the two brothers Harihara and Bukka, the eldest sons of one Sangama, earlier serving the Hoysala rulers of Karnataka, asserted their independence and laid foundation for a new kingdom in about 1336. This happened soon after the death of the Hoysala king Ballala III at the hands of the Madurai Sultan. According to some later-day tradition, Vidyaranya (also called Madhava), a renowned Saiva saint and Sanskrit scholar, is said to have persuaded the brothers to abandon their service to the Tughluqs and also to renounce Islam that they had adopted when they were imprisoned by the Sultan in Delhi.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states Harihara and Bukka asserted independence and 'laid foundation for a new kingdom' c.1336, attributing foundation to the brothers.
  • Directly names the founders (Harihara and Bukka) and links them to the creation of the new political centre that became Vijayanagara.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > 12.6 Art and Architecture > p. 186
Presence: 5/5
“The finest temples of Vijayanagara are in Hampi, which has been designated as a World Heritage City. Their capital city, Vijayanagar, stood on the south bank of river Tungabhadra. After the battle of Talikota (1565 CE) this splendid city fell prey to the fury of the victors who wrought untold havoc and destruction. We can form an idea of the architectural achievements of the Vijayanagara rulers and the ruins of Hampi from the accounts of foreign travelers, Nicolo Conti and Abdur Razak. Krishnadeva Raya was a great builder. He founded a town Nagalapura (near Vijayanagar), in memory of his mother, Nagamba and built tanks, gopurams and temples in various parts of empire.”
Why this source?
  • States the capital city Vijayanagar (Vijayanagara) 'stood on the south bank of river Tungabhadra'.
  • Links the specific urban site (capital/city) to the south bank location required by the statement.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > Table 8.9 > p. 23
Presence: 5/5
“Tungbhadra Project: Tungbhadra is a right hand tributary of the Krishna river which originates from the Western Ghats (Sahayadri Hills) of the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. The Tungbhadra Dam has been constructed at Mallapuram near Hosepet in the Bellary district. Three power houses have been constructed in this project to generate 126 MW of electricity. The Tungbhadra canals irrigate more than 4 lakh hectares of arable land.• 26. Ukai Dam: Ukai is a tributary of the Tapi river. The Ukai project was launched mainly to harness the Tapi water. The installed capacity of the Ukai project is 300 MW. Its electricity is supplied to Surat and other neighbouring urban centres.”
Why this source?
  • Identifies the Tungabhadra as a right‑hand tributary of the Krishna river, connecting the named river in the location snippet to the Krishna system.
  • Provides the necessary geographic fact that the Tungabhadra is a tributary of the Krishna, completing the geographic claim.
Statement 6
Did Harihara I undertake to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity who claimed sovereignty over all land south of the Krishna River?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Bukka (1356-77)​​ Founded a new city on the southern bank of a tributary to the river Krishna, ruling his kingdom as the agent of a deity ..."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that Bukka (not Harihara I) 'founded a new city on the southern bank of a tributary to the river Krishna' and 'ruling his kingdom as the agent of a deity'.
  • This attributes the described action (ruling as agent of a deity claiming lands south of Krishna) to Bukka, thereby contradicting the statement about Harihara I.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?"
Why this source?
  • Reproduces the exact historical multiple-choice question asking who 'undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong'.
  • The question context aligns with the Universalinstitutions passage that answers it for Bukka, not Harihara I, supporting a refutation of the statement about Harihara I.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Origin and Expansion > p. 180
Strength: 4/5
“There are different traditions regarding the foundation of the Vijayanagar kingdom. It is now generally accepted, on the basis of contemporary inscriptions, that the two brothers Harihara and Bukka, the eldest sons of one Sangama, earlier serving the Hoysala rulers of Karnataka, asserted their independence and laid foundation for a new kingdom in about 1336. This happened soon after the death of the Hoysala king Ballala III at the hands of the Madurai Sultan. According to some later-day tradition, Vidyaranya (also called Madhava), a renowned Saiva saint and Sanskrit scholar, is said to have persuaded the brothers to abandon their service to the Tughluqs and also to renounce Islam that they had adopted when they were imprisoned by the Sultan in Delhi.”
Why relevant

Reports that Harihara and Bukka were influenced by a prominent Saiva saint (Vidyaranya) indicate use of religious figures and sanction in founding the kingdom.

How to extend

A student could check whether inscriptions or later chronicles record Harihara adopting explicit theocratic titles or claiming to rule on behalf of a deity.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Reshaping India’s Political Map > The Vijayanagara Empire > p. 31
Strength: 3/5
“While the Delhi Sultanate grew politically more unstable, a new centre of power emerged in the south. In the 14th century, two brothers, Harihara and Bukka, who had initially served as governors under Muhammad bin Tughlaq, eventually rejected Delhi's authority, and established an independent kingdom that became a significant force in southern India and grew into the Vijayanagara Empire. 31Tapestry of the Past 2 – Reshaping India's Political Map”
Why relevant

Accounts that the brothers rejected Delhi's authority and founded a southern power suggest they sought local sources of legitimacy (often religious) when establishing independence.

How to extend

Combine this with mapping of contemporary religious cults to see which deity cults were prominent in the region Harihara claimed.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 10.2 The growth of Puranic Hinduism > p. 105
Strength: 3/5
“We know for instance that Vasudeva-Krishna was an important deity in the Mathura region. Over centuries, his worship spread to other parts of the country as well.”
Why relevant

The snippet notes the spread and regional importance of a deity (Vasudeva-Krishna), illustrating how deities could acquire broad territorial followings.

How to extend

Use basic knowledge that Krishna cults claimed regional prominence to investigate whether any inscriptions present a deity (e.g., Krishna) as claiming sovereignty over lands south of the Krishna river.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > 2.2 The apogee and decline of the empire > p. 173
Strength: 4/5
“Within the polity, claimants to power included members of the ruling lineage as well as military commanders. The first dynasty, known as the Sangama dynasty, exercised control till 1485. They were supplanted by the Saluvas, military commanders, who remained in power till 1503 when they were replaced by the Tuluvas. Krishnadeva Raya belonged to the Tuluva dynasty. Krishnadeva Raya's rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation. This was the time when the land between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers (the Raichur doab) was acquired (1512), the rulers of Orissa were subdued (1514) and severe defeats were inflicted on the Sultan of Bijapur (1520).”
Why relevant

Reference to territorial gains and specific river-bounded regions (Tungabhadra–Krishna, Raichur doab) shows rivers functioned as important political/territorial markers.

How to extend

A student could check whether claims of divine sovereignty were framed using such river boundaries (e.g., 'south of the Krishna') in inscriptions or royal ideology.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Alaudin Hasan Bahman Shah (1347 - 1358) > p. 176
Strength: 3/5
“Rivalry with the Vijayanagar kingdom over the fertile Raichur doab, lying between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers, not only marked the early history of the Bahmani kingdom, but continued to be an enduring feature over two centuries. Bahman Shah had also to contend in the east with the rulers of Warangal and Orissa. In order to facilitate smooth administration, as followed in the Delhi Sultanate, he divided the kingdom into four territorial divisions called tarafs, each under a governor. 176”
Why relevant

The long-running rivalry over the Raichur doab (between Krishna and Tungabhadra) highlights contested frontier south of the Krishna—areas where invoking divine sovereignty might be politically useful.

How to extend

Combine this with knowledge of the strategic value of the region to assess why a ruler might claim to act as a deity's agent for lands south of the Krishna.

Statement 7
Was Prataparudra II the founder of a new city on the south bank of a tributary of the Krishna River?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 2/5
"Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook ... (c) Harihara I (d) Prataparudra"
Why this source?
  • This passage lists Prataparudra as one of the multiple-choice options for the question about who founded a new city on the south bank of a Krishna tributary.
  • Being presented as an option shows Prataparudra II was suggested by some question-sets, but the passage itself does not confirm he was the founder.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Bukka (1356-77)​​ Founded a new city on the southern bank of a tributary to the river Krishna, ruling his kingdom as the agent of a deity ..."
Why this source?
  • This passage explicitly names Bukka (1356-77) as the one who 'Founded a new city on the southern bank of a tributary to the river Krishna.'
  • Because it attributes the founding to Bukka rather than Prataparudra II, it directly refutes the statement that Prataparudra II was the founder.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > 12.6 Art and Architecture > p. 186
Strength: 5/5
“The finest temples of Vijayanagara are in Hampi, which has been designated as a World Heritage City. Their capital city, Vijayanagar, stood on the south bank of river Tungabhadra. After the battle of Talikota (1565 CE) this splendid city fell prey to the fury of the victors who wrought untold havoc and destruction. We can form an idea of the architectural achievements of the Vijayanagara rulers and the ruins of Hampi from the accounts of foreign travelers, Nicolo Conti and Abdur Razak. Krishnadeva Raya was a great builder. He founded a town Nagalapura (near Vijayanagar), in memory of his mother, Nagamba and built tanks, gopurams and temples in various parts of empire.”
Why relevant

Gives a clear example: Vijayanagar (capital) 'stood on the south bank of river Tungabhadra' and was associated with royal founding and urban building.

How to extend

A student could note that rulers did found important cities on south banks of tributaries (Tungabhadra) and check whether Prataparudra II fits that pattern by locating his activity relative to such tributaries.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > Table 8.9 > p. 23
Strength: 4/5
“Tungbhadra Project: Tungbhadra is a right hand tributary of the Krishna river which originates from the Western Ghats (Sahayadri Hills) of the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. The Tungbhadra Dam has been constructed at Mallapuram near Hosepet in the Bellary district. Three power houses have been constructed in this project to generate 126 MW of electricity. The Tungbhadra canals irrigate more than 4 lakh hectares of arable land.• 26. Ukai Dam: Ukai is a tributary of the Tapi river. The Ukai project was launched mainly to harness the Tapi water. The installed capacity of the Ukai project is 300 MW. Its electricity is supplied to Surat and other neighbouring urban centres.”
Why relevant

States that the Tungabhadra is a right-hand tributary of the Krishna and describes major constructions (dam, canals) on it, confirming its importance as a tributary.

How to extend

Use this to connect any claimed city-on-Tungabhadra to the Krishna system and then check maps or inscriptions for Prataparudra II’s works on that tributary.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Krishna > p. 21
Strength: 4/5
“The river of Krishna has its origin near Mahabaleshwar in the vertical faces of the Western Ghats. Its length is 1290 km and basin area 2,54,743 sq km. A number of minor streams like Koyna and Ghataparbha join the Krishna river to give a subdendritic pattern. The Bhima in the north and the Tungbhadra in the south are the other important tributaries of the Krishna river. Downwards passing through the quartzite scarps, the Krishna has been dammed to form the Nagarjun-Sagar Reservoir. Further east, beyond the gorge in the Srisailam Hills below Vijaiwada, it has built its fertile bird-foot delta (Mississippi-type).”
Why relevant

Describes the Krishna river system and names the Tungabhadra as an important tributary, providing geographical context for rivers and their tributaries.

How to extend

Combine this with the known location of a claimed city to see if it lies on a tributary of the Krishna and thus matches the pattern.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Hussain Sagar > p. 29
Strength: 3/5
“Hussain Sagar is in the city of Hyderabad. It was built across a tributary of the Musi River by Hussain Shah Wali in 1562. Its water is supplied to the city of Hyderabad.”
Why relevant

Provides an example of a ruler (Hussain Shah Wali) building significant urban waterworks across a tributary of a larger river (Musi), showing a recurring pattern of rulers founding or enhancing urban sites on tributaries.

How to extend

A student could treat this as precedent that founders often chose tributary banks for cities and then seek specific evidence tying Prataparudra II to such a foundation.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara (c. fourteenth to sixteenth century) > p. 170
Strength: 3/5
“Vijayanagara or "city of victory" was the name of both a city and an empire. The empire was founded in the fourteenth century. In its heyday it stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the peninsula. In 1565 the city was sacked and subsequently deserted. Although it fell into ruin in the seventeenth-eighteenth centuries, it lived on in the memories of people living in the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab. They remembered it as Hampi, a name derived from that of the local mother goddess, Pampadevi. These oral traditions combined with archaeological finds, monuments and inscriptions and other records helped scholars to rediscover the Vijayanagara Empire.”
Why relevant

Notes the Vijayanagara empire’s geographic relation to the Krishna and local memory/place-names, indicating that river-tributary geography is central to locating medieval capitals and settlements.

How to extend

Use this to argue that medieval polity capitals are often described in relation to Krishna/tributary geography and then test whether sources describe Prataparudra II’s city similarly.

Statement 8
Did Prataparudra II undertake to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity who claimed sovereignty over all land south of the Krishna River?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Bukka (1356-77)​​ Founded a new city on the southern bank of a tributary to the river Krishna, ruling his kingdom as the agent of a deity ..."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states a ruler (Bukka) founded a city on a tributary of the Krishna and ruled as the agent of a deity.
  • This attributes the described action to Bukka, not to Prataparudra II, thereby refuting the statement about Prataparudra II.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong"
Why this source?
  • Contains the exact formulation of the claim (ruling as agent of a deity to whom land south of the Krishna belonged).
  • The passage frames this as a question about which ruler performed this act, without naming Prataparudra II — supporting that the claim is associated elsewhere (e.g., Bukka).

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 10.2 The growth of Puranic Hinduism > p. 105
Strength: 4/5
“We know for instance that Vasudeva-Krishna was an important deity in the Mathura region. Over centuries, his worship spread to other parts of the country as well.”
Why relevant

Identifies Vasudeva-Krishna as an important deity whose worship spread beyond a regional centre, suggesting deities could have broad territorial cults.

How to extend

A student could check whether inscriptions or royal grants associate Prataparudra II with Vasudeva-Krishna and whether the deity's cult was claimed to legitimise rule over lands south of the Krishna.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > 2.2 The apogee and decline of the empire > p. 173
Strength: 4/5
“Within the polity, claimants to power included members of the ruling lineage as well as military commanders. The first dynasty, known as the Sangama dynasty, exercised control till 1485. They were supplanted by the Saluvas, military commanders, who remained in power till 1503 when they were replaced by the Tuluvas. Krishnadeva Raya belonged to the Tuluva dynasty. Krishnadeva Raya's rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation. This was the time when the land between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers (the Raichur doab) was acquired (1512), the rulers of Orissa were subdued (1514) and severe defeats were inflicted on the Sultan of Bijapur (1520).”
Why relevant

Refers to the Raichur doab and expansion between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers, showing the Krishna River as a recognised political/geographic boundary in territorial claims.

How to extend

Use a map to locate territories 'south of the Krishna' and see if Prataparudra II's kingdom lay there or if sources describe claims over that area.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Vijayanagar - Bahmani conflict > p. 181
Strength: 3/5
“From the beginning, both the Bahmani and Vijayangar kingdoms were in constant conflict. Capturing the territories, collecting tribute and the control of horse trade were the major issues of conflict. Each of them wanted to annex and dominate the fertile area between the Krishna and the Tungabhadra (the Raichur doab). Though neither of them succeeded fully, much bloodshed took place for some transitory success. In coastal Andhra, the power struggle was between the Gajapati kingdom of Orissa and Vijayanagar. Vijayanagar could not make much headway until the time of Devaraya II (1422-46), who defeated the Orissa army in some battles.”
Why relevant

Describes prolonged rivalry and contestation over the fertile area between Krishna and Tungabhadra, implying rulers often framed authority in relation to river-bounded regions.

How to extend

Combine this with knowledge of Prataparudra II's conquests to assess whether his rule concerned lands south of the Krishna and whether he might invoke divine sanction for such claims.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Pulikesin II, the Chalukya King > p. 106
Strength: 4/5
“Harsha sought to extend his authority southward into the Deccan. However, the Chalukya king Pulikesin II, who controlled the region, humbled Harsha. In commemoration of his victory over Harsha, Pulikesin assumed the title of "Parameswara." Inscriptions in Pulikesin's capital Vatapi attest to this victory. Pulikesin II (modern representation) 106 Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms”
Why relevant

Notes Pulikesin II adopting the title 'Parameswara' after victory, showing a pattern of rulers using divine-associated titles to legitimise sovereignty.

How to extend

Investigate whether Prataparudra II used a similar formula—acting as agent of a deity—in inscriptions or titulature to justify rule over specific regions.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity > New kings … new titles > p. 155
Strength: 3/5
“daughter of Chandragupta II, who was married to a prince of the Vākāṭaka kingdom — the Guptas' neighbours to the south. Tragically, the Vākāṭaka prince died early, making her the regent ruler of the kingdom. During her reign, she ensured that the ties between the Vākāṭakas and the Guptas remained strong. One of her inscriptions describes her as a 'mother of two kings', referring to her two sons who ascended the Vākāṭaka throne. As a devotee of Viṣhṇu like her father, Prabhāvatī is also associated with the construction of seven temples dedicated to this god and his avatars. Some of these temples are in Ramagiri (Ramtek hill) in present-day Maharashtra.”
Why relevant

Provides an example of a ruler (Prabhāvatī) who patronised temples and identified as a devotee of Viṣṇu, illustrating how royal authority and devotion to a deity could be linked.

How to extend

A student could look for evidence that Prataparudra II sponsored temples or invoked a Vishnu/Krishna cult to present himself as the deity's agent over southern lands.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves the 'River + City + Ideology' triangle. They rarely ask simple 'Who founded X?' questions anymore. They describe the *setting* (geography) and the *justification* (ideology) to identify the ruler. You must link physical geography (tributaries) to political history.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly covered in TN Board Class XI (Ch 12) and NCERT Themes in Indian History Part II (Ch 7).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The 'Sacred Centre' and Royal Legitimacy in Medieval India (Divine Kingship).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Deity-Agent' parallels: 1. Vijayanagara (Harihara/Bukka) → Virupaksha; 2. Travancore (Marthanda Varma) → Padmanabhaswamy (Thrippadidanam); 3. Odisha (Ganga Dynasty) → Jagannatha (Rauta/Deputy); 4. Mewar (Ranas) → Eklingji.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Never memorize a capital city without its river. Do not just read 'Harihara founded Vijayanagara'; read 'Harihara founded it on the South bank of the Tungabhadra'. UPSC converts the *map location* into a *text statement*.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Krishna River and its tributaries (Tungabhadra)
💡 The insight

The statement mentions a tributary of the Krishna; the references identify the Tungabhadra as a major tributary of the Krishna.

River systems are frequently tested in both geography and history questions (location of sites, strategic importance, regional boundaries). Candidates should memorise major tributaries and basin states to connect historical sites to physical geography; practise with basin maps and sources that tie rivers to historical settlements.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Krishna > p. 21
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Krishna Basin > p. 22
🔗 Anchor: "Was Amoghavarsha I the founder of a new city on the south bank of a tributary of..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Location of Vijayanagara/Hampi relative to the Tungabhadra
💡 The insight

One reference states the Vijayanagara capital (Hampi) stood on the south bank of the Tungabhadra, directly relevant to 'south bank of a tributary of the Krishna'.

Knowledge of major medieval capitals and their geographic settings is high‑yield for history questions linking polity, economy and geography (e.g., trade routes, defensibility). Learn key capitals with riverine locations and correlate them with political events and archaeological evidence.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > 12.6 Art and Architecture > p. 186
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara (c. fourteenth to sixteenth century) > p. 170
🔗 Anchor: "Was Amoghavarsha I the founder of a new city on the south bank of a tributary of..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Rashtrakuta kings and royal patronage (Amoghavarsha I)
💡 The insight

A reference names Amoghavarsha as a patron of literature, linking him to the Rashtrakuta period and cultural activity mentioned in the context.

Medieval polity and cultural patronage is often examined (literature, inscriptions, administrative centres). Master dynastic timelines, notable rulers and their cultural contributions to answer provenance/attribution questions and to cross‑check claims about founders or foundations.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Krishna I and His Successors > p. 113
🔗 Anchor: "Was Amoghavarsha I the founder of a new city on the south bank of a tributary of..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Rashtrakuta royal patronage and literary culture
💡 The insight

Amoghavarsha is mentioned in the references as a patron of major scholars and religious figures, highlighting the cultural role of Rashtrakuta rulers.

Understanding royal patronage helps answer questions on cultural policies of medieval Indian dynasties and links political authority with religious and literary sponsorship. This is frequently tested in syllabus sections on polity-culture interactions; revise key patron–scholar pairs and their works, and practice source-based questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Krishna I and His Successors > p. 113
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Pala Rulers > p. 111
🔗 Anchor: "Did Amoghavarsha I undertake to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity who..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Rivers as political boundaries in medieval South India
💡 The insight

Multiple references refer to territorial limits and conflicts defined by major rivers (Krishna, Tungabhadra, Kaveri) and the Raichur doab.

Rivers often appear as boundary markers and strategic objectives in questions on medieval state expansion and inter-state rivalry. Master this to interpret maps, campaigns, and why specific regions (doabs, delta areas) were contested. Study campaigns tied to river frontiers and practice map-based reasoning.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Alaudin Hasan Bahman Shah (1347 - 1358) > p. 176
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > 2.2 The apogee and decline of the empire > p. 173
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 11: Later Cholas and Pandyas > 11.1.1 Empire Building > p. 157
🔗 Anchor: "Did Amoghavarsha I undertake to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity who..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Inter-dynastic warfare and shifting regional control
💡 The insight

References describe conflicts among Rashtrakutas, Palas, Cholas, Pallavas and others, including defeats and territorial changes involving Amoghavarsha and successors.

Questions often ask about causes and consequences of dynastic conflicts; mastering patterns of alliances, defeats, and territorial shift aids comparative answers across regions. Create timelines linking major battles and outcomes, and correlate with political and cultural changes.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Krishna I and His Successors > p. 113
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > 9.2Pallavas > p. 123
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Pala Rulers > p. 111
🔗 Anchor: "Did Amoghavarsha I undertake to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity who..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Krishna river basin & major tributaries
💡 The insight

The statement mentions a city on a tributary of the Krishna; understanding the Krishna and its principal tributaries is essential to place such a city geographically.

Rivers and their tributaries are high-yield in both geography and history questions (locations of settlements, irrigation projects, inter-state basins). Mastering the Krishna basin helps answer questions on riverine capitals, irrigation works and state-wise river distribution. Learn by mapping the basin, memorising major tributaries and linking them to states and major projects.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Krishna > p. 21
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > River Systems of the Peninsular Drainage > p. 24
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Krishna Basin > p. 22
🔗 Anchor: "Was Ballala II the founder of a new city on the south bank of a tributary of the..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The logical sibling is the 'Rauta' concept of Odisha. Just as Vijayanagara rulers were agents of Virupaksha, the Ganga monarchs (Anangabhima III) declared themselves 'Rauta' (deputy) of Lord Jagannatha. Expect a question on this specific term or the 'Thrippadidanam' of Travancore.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use the 'River Basin' filter. Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta) ruled from Manyakheta (Gulbarga, drier plateau). Prataparudra (Kakatiya) ruled from Warangal (north of Krishna). Ballala II (Hoysala) was deep south in Dwarasamudra. Only Harihara (Vijayanagara/Hampi) is famously associated with the Tungabhadra, which is the major southern tributary of the Krishna.

🔗 Mains Connection

Links to GS1 (History - Legitimation of Power): How medieval states used religion to consolidate authority (Divine Theory of Kingship). Also connects to GS1 (Geography): The strategic selection of 'Doab' regions (Raichur Doab between Krishna and Tungabhadra) for capital cities due to agricultural surplus and natural defense.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-II · 2008 · Q92 Relevance score: -2.10

The city of Nasik is situated on the bank of which one of the following rivers ?

IAS · 2023 · Q48 Relevance score: -2.19

Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?

CDS-II · 2022 · Q59 Relevance score: -2.80

On the banks of which one of the following rivers was the ancient Mahishmati located?

NDA-II · 2008 · Q30 Relevance score: -3.43

Amravati, Bhavani, Hemavati and Kabini are tributaries of which one of the following rivers?

IAS · 2006 · Q7 Relevance score: -3.49

Who among the following laid the foundation of Rashtrakuta Empire?