Question map
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?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1: Devaraya I. Devaraya I (reigned 1406–1422 CE), of the Sangama dynasty, was instrumental in transforming the agrarian economy of the Vijayanagara Empire through advanced hydraulic engineering.
According to historical records, including accounts by the Italian traveler Nicolo Conti, Devaraya I faced an acute water shortage in the capital. To resolve this, he commissioned the construction of a massive dam across the Tungabhadra River. He further developed a sophisticated canal-cum-aqueduct system, approximately 15 miles long, to channel water into the city for both irrigation and consumption. This project significantly increased the city's revenue and agricultural productivity.
- Mallikarjuna and Virupaksha were later rulers whose reigns were marked by internal decline and did not involve such massive infrastructural projects.
- Vira Vijaya had a very brief reign with no significant architectural or engineering contributions recorded.
Thus, Devaraya I is specifically credited with this pioneering engineering feat.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'NCERT Depth' question. While the specific name 'Devaraya I' isn't explicitly bolded in every basic summary, NCERT Themes Part II (p. 177) explicitly mentions the 'Hiriya canal' drawing water from a dam built by the 'Sangama dynasty'. The jump from 'Sangama dynasty' to 'Devaraya I' requires either a standard reference (Satish Chandra) or a logical deduction of the most prominent Sangama builder.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Did Devaraya I, a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, construct a large dam across the Tungabhadra River and a several-kilometre canal-cum-aqueduct from the river to the capital city Vijayanagara (Hampi)?
- Statement 2: Did Mallikarjuna, a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, construct a large dam across the Tungabhadra River and a several-kilometre canal-cum-aqueduct from the river to the capital city Vijayanagara (Hampi)?
- Statement 3: Did Vira Vijaya, a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, construct a large dam across the Tungabhadra River and a several-kilometre canal-cum-aqueduct from the river to the capital city Vijayanagara (Hampi)?
- Statement 4: Did Virupaksha, a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, construct a large dam across the Tungabhadra River and a several-kilometre canal-cum-aqueduct from the river to the capital city Vijayanagara (Hampi)?
- Explicitly attributes construction to Deva Raya I (Devaraya I).
- States a barrage/dam was built across the Tungabhadra and a 24 km aqueduct commissioned to the capital.
- Describes construction of a barrage across the Tungabhadra using huge boulders.
- Specifies he 'built a huge aqueduct cum... from the Tungabhadra to the capital which was 24 km away.'
- States he constructed a 'huge dam in the Tungabhadra river'.
- Gives the aqueduct length as 'fifteen miles' (approx. 24 km) from the river into the city.
States that the Hiriya canal drew water from a dam across the Tungabhadra and irrigated the valley, identifying a major dam+canal system serving Vijayanagara.
A student could note that such a dam+canal existed and then check which rulers of the Sangama period (or later) are credited with building Hiriya to see if Devaraya I fits chronologically.
Describes an elaborate canal system drawing water from the Tungabhadra that conducted water to the 'royal centre', corroborating the existence of engineered waterworks linking river to capital.
Use this pattern (canals supplying the royal centre) plus historical lists of major Vijayanagara rulers to test claims about which king commissioned such works.
Notes that the capital city Vijayanagar stood on the south bank of the Tungabhadra and highlights royal building activity (Krishnadeva Raya building tanks), showing kings did undertake major hydraulic projects near the river.
Combine the geographic fact (capital on Tungabhadra bank) with the known practice of rulers building tanks/canals to evaluate the plausibility that an earlier ruler like Devaraya I could have commissioned a dam/canal.
Identifies the Sangama dynasty as the founding dynasty (Harihara and Bukka) and notes rulers borrowed and developed building techniques, implying large public works were part of dynastic activity.
If Hiriya/dam is attributed to the Sangama dynasty (snippet 2), a student could check whether Devaraya I belonged to that dynasty or a later one to assess likelihood he was the builder.
Explains that archaeological finds, monuments and inscriptions helped rediscover Vijayanagara, indicating that attribution of major works often relies on inscriptions/archaeology rather than later tradition.
A student could seek inscriptions/archaeological attributions for the dam/canal to determine whether they name Devaraya I or some other ruler.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance.
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault.