The important characteristics of the Vijayanagar administration was the Amara-Nayaka system. The top-grade officers of the army were known as Nayaks or Palaiyagars or Poligars. These officers were granted land in lieu of their services.
Al Biruni was made court astrologer in Ghazni and he accompanied with Mahmud on his invasions on India. He lived for several years here and is considered to be first Indologist.