While historians use the term Vijayanagara Empire, contemporaries described it as the ___________Samrajyamu.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Karnataka.
While modern historians refer to it as the Vijayanagara Empire, contemporaries during that period often described it as the Andhra Samrajyamu. This term, found in Telugu sources, highlights the cultural and linguistic influence of Telugu-speaking people and reflects the significant Andhra connection in the empire’s administration and literature.
Although the empire was centered in present-day Karnataka and included vast regions of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, many of its rulers, especially during the later dynasties like the Aravidu, were of Telugu origin. Hence, Telugu chroniclers referred to it as the Andhra Empire or Andhra Samrajyamu.
Other Options:
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Kerala – Part of the empire's territory but not its core identity.
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Tamil – The empire ruled over Tamil regions but was not identified as a Tamil empire.
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Karnataka – The capital Hampi is in Karnataka, but “Karnata Samrajya” was less common in contemporary Telugu records.