ADMINISTRATION, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY

ADMINISTRATION, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY The Vijayanagar empire had an autocratic system of adminis­tration. There was an elaborate arrangement of administra­tion at central, provincial and village levels. The chief source of administration was the king who adopted the title of 'Raya'. It is emphasised that the principle of strict adherence to dharma was the distinguishing feature of the Vijayanagar empire. However, it is disputed by many historians.

Many administrative organs of the central administra­tion were constituted. There is a mention of raj parishad and its chief officer mahapradhtini. There was also a council of ministers (mantriparishad) consisting of great scholars of the state. Sabhanayak was the head of the mantriparishad. Other important officials included koshadhyaksha, mudrakarta, vyaparnirikshaka, senapati and nyayadhisha.

The entire kingdom was divided into pranta, mandaI, kottam or valnadu, nadu, melagram and gram. There were six prants (provinces). Each province had a governor appointed by the centre. The provincial governors were called mahamandaleshwar, nadaprabhusa, nayak or mandaleshwar. Their responsibilities included maintaining law and order, ap­pointing subordinate officials, making military arrangement and imposing new taxes.

In rural administration, the rulers of Vijayanagar ac­cepted the local-self government policy of the Chola rulers. However, the village autonomy witnessed a decline during this period due to imposition of a 12-member Ayangar system (involving appointment of 12 officials by the centre) to keep a vigil on the rural administration. Mahanayakacharya appointed by the centre also looked after the local self­government.

The assessment on the peasantry amounted to a little more than the traditional one-sixth of the produce payable in equivalent money and not in kind. Trade, too, was a source of revenue. Punishments for crime were cruel and severe, prostitution was regulated and heavily taxed. On the whole, the country was prosperous and ably adminis­tered.

People used animal food freely although the vegetarian brahmans were held in great honour. The practice of sati was largely prevalent. Women were fairly educated and their services were utilised as clerks in the royal household. The Vijayanagar rulers also had women bodyguards and wrestlers.

The empire of Vijayanagar was one of the richest states of the time. The country was self-sufficient in food and industries flourished, such as textiles, mining and metal­lurgy, and perfumery. Industries and trade were regulated
by guilds. The empire possessed numerous ports and had commercial relations with foreign countries. Gold, silver and copper coins were in use.