The Amara-Nayaka system was a major political innovation of which Indian imperial rulers ?

The Amara-Nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire . In this administrative structure, the military chiefs or warriors held the title of 'nayaka' or 'amaranayaka' . These amara-nayakas were military commanders who were given territories (amaram) by the Raya (king) to govern . They collected taxes and other dues from peasants, craftspersons, and traders in the area, using a portion of the revenue for personal use and maintaining a stipulated contingent of horses and elephants for the king . This system allowed the Vijayanagara rulers to maintain a powerful military force and expand their control over South India [1]. While some features were likely derived from the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate, the Amara-Nayaka system was uniquely adapted to the Vijayanagara polity .

Sources

1. [1] https://www.msuniv.ac.in/images/distance%20education/learning%20materials/ug%20pg%202023/pg%202021/MA%20history%20%202023%20%20english%20medium/sy_2324_mahistory2023_socio_history.pdf