Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 244

The Portuguese traveller who visited Vijayanagara kingdom was .....

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the well-known Portuguese travellers who documented their visits to the Vijayanagara

Correct Answer: C) Domingo Paes.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Civil Services, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The question asks about the Portuguese traveller who visited the Vijayanagara kingdom. The Vijayanagara kingdom was a powerful Hindu empire that ruled parts of southern India from the 14th to the 16th century. During this period, several European travellers visited the kingdom, leaving behind valuable accounts of their experiences. Among these travellers, Domingo Paes is particularly notable for his detailed and comprehensive documentation of the Vijayanagara kingdom.

Domingo Paes was a Portuguese traveller who arrived in the Vijayanagara kingdom in 1520. His visit coincided with the reign of King Krishna Deva Raya, who was known for his patronage of the arts and his military prowess. Paes's account, titled "The Travels of Domingo Paes," provides a vivid and detailed description of the kingdom's architecture, culture, and administration. He wrote extensively about the city of Vijayanagara, which was the capital of the kingdom, and described its grandeur, temples, and the lifestyle of its inhabitants.

Paes's account is significant because it offers a contemporary European perspective on the Vijayanagara kingdom. His observations are valuable for historians and researchers studying the period, as they provide insights into the social, economic, and political conditions of the kingdom. The detailed nature of his accounts makes him a primary source for understanding the Vijayanagara kingdom during the early 16th century.

Other Portuguese travellers, such as Nuniz, also visited the Vijayanagara kingdom, but their accounts are not as comprehensive or detailed as those of Domingo Paes. Nicolo Conti, on the other hand, was an Italian traveller who visited India in the 15th century, but he did not visit the Vijayanagara kingdom. Therefore, Domingo Paes is the correct answer to the question.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Nicolo Conti was an Italian traveller who visited India in the 15th century, but he did not visit the Vijayanagara kingdom. This option is incorrect.
  • Option B: Nuniz was a Portuguese traveller who visited the Vijayanagara kingdom, but he is not the primary figure associated with detailed accounts of the kingdom. This option is incorrect.
  • Option C: Domingo Paes is the correct answer. He was a Portuguese traveller who visited the Vijayanagara kingdom in 1520 and wrote detailed accounts of his experiences, which are valuable historical sources.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect because Domingo Paes is a well-known Portuguese traveller who visited the Vijayanagara kingdom and documented his experiences.

Mnemonic: Domingo Paes: D for Discovery, P for Portuguese

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