Administration of Aravidu Dynasty

The Aravidu Dynasty, the last ruling family of the Vijayanagara Empire, inherited a sophisticated administrative system that had evolved over centuries under the Hoysala, Kakatiya, and Pandya kingdoms. While the dynasty faced political decline and external threats, its rulers maintained the smooth functioning of governance, making only necessary adjustments to sustain control over their vast territories.

Central Administration

The King was the Supreme Authority, supported by a council of ministers known as the Pradhana, headed by the Mahapradhana (prime minister). Other important officials included the Karyakartha or Rayaswami (chief secretary) and the Adhikari (imperial officers). Inscriptions reveal that all high-ranking ministers and officers were required to undergo military training, ensuring that governance and defense were closely intertwined.

A secretariat near the royal palace employed scribes and officers to maintain official records, authenticated with wax seals bearing the king’s insignia. This system ensured accountability and continuity in administration.

Local Governance

At the lower levels, wealthy feudal landlords called Goudas supervised accountants (Karanikas or Karnam) and guards (Kavalu). The palace administration itself was divided into 72 departments (Niyogas), each handling specific functions. Interestingly, these departments employed female attendants, often selected for their youth and beauty, who were trained to manage minor administrative tasks and also served as courtesans or companions to nobles.

The empire was divided into five main provinces (Rajya), each governed by a Dandanayaka or Dandanatha (commander), usually from the royal family. These provinces were further subdivided into regions (Vishaya Vente or Kottam), counties (Sime or Nadu), and municipalities (Kampana or Sthala). Local hereditary families managed their territories, paying tribute to the empire, while strategically important regions like Keladi and Madurai were placed under direct military supervision.

Military Organization

The Aravidu rulers continued the Vijayanagara tradition of maintaining a formidable army. Commanders led troops on the battlefield, employing strategies that focused on targeted attacks on forts rather than large-scale invasions. The empire was among the first in India to use long-range artillery, often operated by foreign gunners.

The army had two components:

• The king’s private army, directly recruited by the empire.
• The feudal army, maintained by feudatory chiefs.

King Krishnadevaraya’s personal army, which set the precedent, consisted of 100,000 infantries, 20,000 cavalries, and over 900 elephants. Records suggest the empire’s total strength could reach 1.1 to 2 million soldiers, including a navy led by the Navigadaprabhu (commander of the navy). Soldiers came from all classes of society, equipped with bows, muskets, swords, and shields. Horses and elephants were fully armored, with elephants fitted with knives on their tusks to maximize battlefield impact.

Water Management and Infrastructure

The capital city and surrounding regions relied heavily on hydraulic systems to ensure a steady water supply. Excavations reveal a sophisticated network of tanks, canals, and pipelines using gravity and siphons to transport water. These systems primarily served royalty and temple complexes, highlighting the close link between governance and religious institutions.

Large tanks collected monsoon water, while canals diverted the Tungabhadra River into irrigation reservoirs. Sluices controlled water flow, and wells were dug in drier areas under administrative supervision. Royal patronage funded major tanks, while wealthy individuals sponsored smaller ones to gain social and religious merit.

Legacy

The Administration of the Aravidu Dynasty reflects both continuity and adaptation. Despite political instability, the dynasty upheld a structured system of governance, combining central authority with local autonomy, military preparedness, and advanced water management. These administrative practices not only sustained the empire during its final phase but also left behind enduring legacies visible in the ruins of Hampi and other Vijayanagara sites.