Consider the following pairs :
| 1. | Gajapati | – | Name of a powerful Dynasty in Orissa |
| 2. | Ashvapati | – | Deccan Sultans |
| 3. | Narapati | – | Rayas of Vijayanagara |
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
1 only
2 only
1, 2 and 3
None of the above
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2024
1. Gajapati: Name of a powerful Dynasty in Orissa. This is correctly matched. The Gajapati Dynasty ruled Kalinga (modern Odisha) from 1434 to 1541 CE. ‘Gajapati’ literally means ‘Lord of Elephants’, referring to the strength of their elephant corps.
2. Ashvapati: Deccan Sultans. This is correctly matched. ‘Ashvapati’ means ‘Lord of Horses’. The Deccan Sultanates (like the Bahmanis and their successors) were known for their strong cavalry forces, often importing horses from Arabia and Persia. This title was associated with them in contrast to other regional powers.
3. Narapati: Rayas of Vijayanagara. This is correctly matched. ‘Narapati’ means ‘Lord of Men’ or King, referring to the large infantry forces maintained by the Vijayanagara rulers (Rayas). Medieval sources, particularly foreign travellers like Duarte Barbosa, often used this tripartite division (Gajapati of Orissa, Ashvapati of the Deccan, and Narapati of Vijayanagara) to describe the major powers in the South during the 15th and 16th centuries, based on the perceived strength of their respective armies (elephants, cavalry, and infantry).
All three pairs are correctly matched according to this historical context and common descriptions of the period’s major southern Indian powers.
– Ashvapati = Lord of Horses, associated with Deccan Sultans.
– Narapati = Lord of Men, associated with Vijayanagara rulers (Rayas).
– These titles reflect the primary military strength associated with each kingdom/group.