The class of Amar Nayakas in Vijayanagara is a reference to which of the following?

The Amara-nayaka system was a significant political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire, likely derived from the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate [1]. The Amara-nayakas were primarily military commanders who were granted territories (amaram) to govern by the Raya [1]. Their primary responsibility was to maintain a stipulated contingent of horses, elephants, and infantry, providing the empire with an effective fighting force. In exchange for these military services, they were authorized to collect taxes and other dues from peasants, craftspersons, and traders within their assigned regions. While they performed administrative and judicial functions, such as maintaining law and order and irrigation works, their core identity in the Vijayanagara polity was that of military chiefs or warriors holding office on the condition of rendering military service to the central government [1]. They sent annual tributes to the king and appeared personally in court to show loyalty.

Sources

1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > 2.3 The rayas and the nayakas > p. 175