Question 1GS1GS1

Numerous foreign travellers have vividly documented their observations of the Vijayanagara Empire over time, offering valuable sources for reconstructing its history. Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

Main Body

Foreign travellers have often provided a new perspective through which to see a civilization. What goes unseen by the local historians is documented by the foreigners.

Abdul Razzak, Duarte Barbosa, Marco Corte, Foreign Travellers from Vijayanagara

Observations of Vijayanagara:

Size of the empire: most travellers recounted Vijayanagara to be one of the largest kingdoms by size in the world

Grandness of ancinet architecture and sculpture: monolithic, large sculptures showed the dominance and majesty of the empire. eg. Vitthalsamy, Virupakshi at Hampi.

Influence of Islamic architecture: slender buildings like elephant stables with arches and domes showed Vijayanagara to be an amalgamating society.

Diverse system with Nayak-led administration. Travellers noted increasing complexity of Nayaks eventually leading to weakening of Empire and Battle of Talikota.

Foreign travellers provided a layman's new into the socio-political & economic structure of Vijayanagara

139 words4 paragraphs3 bullet points

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Topper

Srishti Mishra

AIR 952023

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Modern Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

Vijayanagara Empire

Foreign travellers accounts and documentation

Writing Stats

139

Total words

Paragraphs

Bullets

analytical and descriptive

Tone