Question 39 from UPSC CSE 2023 - Medieval History

Question

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

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Devaraya I

Strategy: Focus on the auxiliary infrastructure keywords in the question: 'large dam', 'canal-cum-aqueduct', and their specific connection to the Vijayanagara capital. Devaraya I is the only ruler historically associated with these hydraulic works, as confirmed by primary and foreign accounts. When matched with other names, none fit the context of major 15th-century irrigation reforms or river projects.

Key Info: ## Devaraya I and Vijayanagara Irrigation

Devaraya I (ruled c. 1406-1422 CE) was a significant ruler of the Sangama dynasty in the Vijayanagara Empire, noted for his focus on large-scale irrigation projects.

He commissioned a dam (barrage) across the Tungabhadra River and an aqueduct stretching roughly 24 km to bring water to the capital city, Hampi. These projects greatly improved agricultural productivity and supplied water to the growing urban population.

Fernão Nuniz, a 16th-century Portuguese chronicler, referenced these projects as contributing to the kingdom's prosperity. The Tungabhadra River, central to the empire's capital, flows through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Hampi, the Vijayanagara capital, is situated on its southern bank.

Other rulers listed--Mallikarjuna, Vira Vijaya, and Virupaksha--do not have historical records associating them with major river or irrigation infrastructure. Such hydraulic works were vital for sustaining the population, enhancing food supply, and fortifying the city's resilience during sieges.

Answer

Option B: Mallikarjuna

Answer

Option C: Vira Vijaya

Answer

Option D: Virupaksha