Question

Krishnadevaraya’s court was adorned with poets called _____________.
A) Navamanis
B) Ashtadiggajas
C) Saptaswaras
D) Navaratnas

Answer 1

Hint:
- Eight poets were recognized as the eight pillars of his literary assembly in his court.
- It translates to "elephants in all directions." It alludes to an old Hindu concept that the world is held in eight directions by eight elephants.

Complete answer:
Krishnadevaraya - Krishnadevaraya was the Vijayanagara Empire's monarch from 1509 until 1529. He was the Tuluva Dynasty's third and greatest ruler. After the fall of the Delhi Sultanate, he ruled India's largest kingdom. Many Indians revere him as an icon since he presided over the empire during its peak.

Let us analyze the given options:
Option A) Navamanis: Navamanis was not one of the poets who were adorned in Krishnadevaraya’s court. Hence, this option is incorrect.
Option B) Ashtadiggajas: Emperor Krishnadevaraya governed the Vijayanagara Empire from 1509 until his death in 1529, and the eight Telugu intellectuals and poets in his court were known as the Ashtadiggajas. Telugu literature and culture reached their pinnacle during his rule. Hence, this option is correct.
Option C) Saptaswaras: A Swara is a tone or musical note on the Octave scale. Assume that this is a structure with multiple floors. The Shadja, also known as Tonic, is the starting point. There are placements of other notes that measure up to specified heights from the ground level. Hence, this option is also incorrect.
Option D) Navaratnas: A group of nine remarkable people at an emperor's court in India were known as the Navaratnas or Nauratan. The Nauratnas at the courts of the legendary emperor Vikramaditya, the Mughal emperor Akbar, and the feudal ruler Raja Krishnachandra are among the most well-known. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Therefore, option ‘B’ i.e, Ashtadiggajas is the correct answer because Krishnadevaraya’s court was adorned with poets called Ashtadiggajas.

Note:
- The title Ashtadiggajas (Ashta + dik + gaja) means elephants in eight directions. Airaavata, Pundareeka, Vamana, Kumuda, Anjana, Pushpadanta, Sarwabhouma, Suprateeka, are the Ashtadiggajas.
- Domingos Paes arrived in India during the reign of Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara Empire's most powerful king. Around the year 1520, Domingo Paes, a Portuguese adventurer, visited the Vijayanagara Empire.