Nayaka kingdoms
Also called: Madurai, Thanjavur and Gingee Nayakas · Topic: Vijayanagara and the Deccan · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 3 "An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara"
Meaning
Nayaka kingdoms were states set up by nayakas, the military chiefs who once served the Vijayanagara rulers. Many of them broke away, especially after the sack of the capital in 1565 and through the 17th century. Their breakaway sped up the empire's fall. Even so, they carried on Vijayanagara's styles of building palaces and temples.
Example
The Nayakas of Madurai built an audience hall with arches, following Vijayanagara palace styles. Some of the most spectacular gopurams (temple gateway towers) in the south were also built by nayakas, for example at Madurai. Other nayaka states grew up at Thanjavur and Gingee.
Don't confuse with
- Amara-nayaka system: this was the way the empire was run. Commanders got land to govern in return for tribute and troops. Nayaka kingdoms were the independent states that came out of it later.