International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.2, Issue-1(3), January-March, 2015 Tanks and temples in Vijayanagara Dr. K. Venkateswarlu Lecturer in History, S.N.S.R. Degree College, Velgode. Kurnool Dist., A.P. Abstract: Irrigation management in the medieval period was often uneconomical. Tanks and canals were neglected and abandoned, perhaps as often as they were constructed. During the Viajaynagara period great attention had to be paid for the construction of tanks. As a result, numerous tanks, of varied sizes came into existence, throughout their empire. The development of an efficient secular management of the Temple was also closely related to the irrigation program. In the 1380’s after two centuries as an increasingly important shrine, the Tirupati temple came under the managemt of twelve trustees (sthanattar). In the course of the century of growth, from the 1450/s the function of the Temple management changed. This was an important factor in the irrigation programme. The relationship between the volume of resources which came into the Temple and the secular management of the Temple was an interdependent one. The increasing endowments of land and money in the late 15th and early 16th centuries must have resulted from the fact that management was efficient and responsible, as much as from the patronage of the Vijayanagara rulers. Krishnadevaraya declared that as the prosperity of the country was a source of profit to the state, the government should create irrigation facilities by the construction of tanks and the excavation of canals. To provide the country with tanks wells, and canals was believed to bring religious merit to the people. In an inscription of 1538-39 A.D. the excavation of tanks was included in the Saptasant?nas or the seven acts productive or religious merit. Keywords : Tanks, Irrigation works, Cheruvulu, Temple Architecture, Civil architecture, Sculptures, Paintings. Introduction of the century of growth, from the 1450/s Irrigation management in the medieval the function of the Temple management period was often uneconomical. Tanks and changed. This was an important factor in canals were neglected and abandoned, the irrigation programme. Vijayanagara perhaps as often as they were constructed. kings were great builders. During this During the Viajaynagara period great period many fortresses, palaces and attention had to be paid for the temples were constructed. Temples built construction of tanks. As a result, during this period are well known for their numerous tanks, of varied sizes came into size. Details of decoration, sculpture and existence, throughout their empire. The painting. The Vijayanagara temples built development of an efficient secular in their entirety are found in the management of the Temple was also Rayalaseema region in the places of closely related to the irrigation program. In Tadipatri, Lepakshi, Penukonda, Kadiri. the 1380’s after two centuries as an Pushpagiri Mangapuram, Srisailam, increasingly important shrine, the Tirupati Tirumala Tirupati, Kalahasti, Tiruchanur, temple came under the managemt of Ahobilam, an Agrahara Garden a Tank and twelve trustees (sthanattar). In the course a Temple. www.ijar.org.in 179 International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.2, Issue-1(3), January-March, 2015 Tanks: One of the main branches of this in its close proximity. The tank is empty aqueduct supplied water to the and also in a much ruined stage. geometrically thrilling Stepped Tank Nevertheless the Archeological Survey within this area. In fact the very of India is repositioning the scrambled discovery of the Stepped Tank was due pavilion structures around the tank. On to this branch of aqueduct leading to the steps around the tank one can see particularly every stone is earmarked the chains of carvings. Especially that of for this purpose and some bears even elephants one following the other. The ‘sketches’ by its architects. The purpose entrance to the tank is decorated with of this tank is not very sure, mostly it the typical Vijayanagara style pillars. was used during the religious Friezes of rampant mythical beats and ceremonies by the royals. Two bathing other mythological themes decorate the pavilions of the Royal Centre – the pillars. This tank also known as Queen’s Bath & the Octagonal Bath – Lokakpavani tank is located at the end are popular for its architectural merits. of the Courtesan’s Street, close to the The Queens bath is a plan looking Varaha Temple. building from outside. But the interior is elaborate with a giant tank at the Irrigation works center and overlooking balconies projecting to the tank. The corridor The Vijayanagar architects were around with its arches, domes and the experts in constructing dams and canals. protruding balconies makes it look more According to Sewell, Krishnadeva Raya like to a palatial structure than a bath. ‘constructed in 1521 the dam and channel A water channel encircling the building at Korragal and the Basavanna channel acts as the means to feed water as well both of which are still in use and of great as a barrier from intrusion. A large open value to the country’. Krishna Devaraya verandah made of cubical pillars constructed a huge tank near the supporting the beams runs around this southeren entrance to Nagalapur Both octagonal tank. Another interesting Paes and Nuniz mention the construction structure is the Stepped Tank of of a great dam near the capital, with the Malapannanagudi, a village on the way aid of a Portuguese engineer. For the to Hampi. Tanks are an integral part of supply of water to the city many channels temple architecture. They served both were constructed. A stone channel goes up ceremonial and functional purposes. from the throne platform to the walls of Most of the temple of Hampi has tanks the citadel, a branch from it reaches the a constructed in its near vicinity. The Zenana enclosure and supplies water to queen’s bath. A tub, made of a singie block Manmatha Tank near Virupaksha 1/2 temple is by and large still functional. of granite measuring 41 feet in length 3 Temple tanks of the Krishna Temple feet in width and 2 ¾ in thickness was and the Vittala Temple have elaborate found there. Abdur Razzak says. “ In the pavilions attached to it. The central king’s palace one sees numerous running podiums of these tanks were used to streams and canals formed of chiseled place the images of the God & Goddess stone polished and smooth. Sewell states during the boat festival part of the that ‘Remains of these are still to be seen annual temple celebration. The temple not far from the ‘Ladies Bath’….. there tank part of the Achyutraya’s temple is was a long through that conveyed the a place to observe the tank architecture water and on each side were depressions which may have been hollowed for the www.ijar.org.in 180 International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.2, Issue-1(3), January-March, 2015 reception of round vessels of different banks of the channels. We find also sizes, intended to hold water for house- instances where a chain of irrigation hold use.” All these show the existence of systems by which lakes were connected irrigation architecture. The interesting with rivers and the lake connected among examples of street architecture can also be themselves. We may not also the solitary seen in Hampi Opposite to the temple of instance of the bounding of the river and Hampi there is a street 35 yards wide and creating a reservoir out of that. The term 800 yards long. pasipattam also denote a tax levied on Cheruvulu similar rights as is evident from an A record from Kurayi, Palmaner inscription from Tirumala referring to the taluk of Sadasiva dated 1482 (=1559 A.D) grant of eri-min-pattam by the villagers for refers to the right of utilizing the available the rendering of vedaparayanam to god water facility in cheruvulu (cheru-vlu), Tiruvengadamudaiyan, this inscription is Kumtalu, mutulu and etalu for irrigating dated in 1433 A.D. the land granted as archana-vritti. The record from Tirumala in 1409 A.D. Temple Architecture Another record from the same place in The city of Vijayanagar appears to have 1457 A.D. mentions undertaking fiven by been as much a capital city as city of the sthanattar of the temple to koyilkelvi temples and a number of interesting Emberumanar-jiyar who grated 5000 temples may still be found in the panam for desilting the lake at Avilali. deserted city. The temple of Pampapati Rayasam kondamarasa, Krishnaraya’s dedicated to Sri Virupaksha is the most minister, was two or three tanks sacred. Although the temple is said to constructed in the province of Udayagiri. have been built prior to the foundation of the city, many additions were made Some reference to the levy and to it by Hari Hara I and Krishnadeva collection of nirkuli by nayakas in Raya. The temple of Vitthalasamy is a Chandragiri and Chittoor. Tiruvenkata fine example of Vijayanagar style. In the Chirukkan by name, supervised the opinion of Fergusson, it ‘shows the digging and maintence of cannals and extreme limit in florid magnificence to channels in the department of which the style advanced’. Begun in the Varigripakarana or water works. This time of Deva Raya II its construction contradict the traditional view of N. was continued even in the reign of Venkataramanayya and Butron Stein that Achyta Raya, but was never entirely there was no department of irrigation or finished. It stands on a rectangular public works in the Vijayanagara domain. enclosure 538 by 310 feet with three The few instance cited above afford ample towers on each of the north, south and proof of the interest taken by the east sides.