2026 · Q29
Which one of the following statements about the 'Amara-Nayaka' system is not correct?
history-of-indiavijayanagara-mughals-marathas
- AThe Amara-Nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- BThe Amara-Nayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the Raya.
- CThe Amara-Nayakas collected taxes and retained part of the revenue for personal use and for maintaining their contingents.
- DThe territories held by the Amara-Nayakas were hereditary and were therefore non-transferrable.
Explanation
The Amara-Nayaka system was indeed a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire, under which military commanders (amara-nayakas) were granted territories by the Raya, collected taxes and maintained troops from the retained revenue. However, these grants were not hereditary — they were held at the king's pleasure and were transferable. Option D's claim of hereditary, non-transferable tenure is therefore the statement that is not correct.