Abdur Razzaq's Visit to Indian Cities

Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi was a Persian ambassador and chronicler who visited Southern India in the 15th century. He was sent on a mission by the ruler of Persia to the court of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire.

During his travels in India, Abdur Razzaq documented his observations, providing valuable insights into the political, social, and economic conditions of the places he visited. His famous work, the Matla al-Sa'dain wa Majma al-Bahrain, describes his journey and experiences.

The question asks about the cities Abdur Razzaq visited. Historical accounts, including his own writings, confirm his travels to specific regions and cities within the Vijayanagara Empire's influence.

Let's consider the options provided:

• Chennai: Located on the eastern coast, Chennai (historically Madras) was not the primary city in the Vijayanagara heartland visited by Razzaq.
• Mangalore: Situated on the western coast, Mangalore was a significant port city during that period. Abdur Razzaq is recorded as having landed and spent time in Mangalore upon arriving in the region.
• Goa: While also a coastal region on the west, Goa was under different control during the time of Razzaq's visit and not typically cited as one of his key destinations related directly to the Vijayanagara court visit.

Based on historical records and Abdur Razzaq's own travelogue, he arrived at the port of Mangalore before proceeding inland towards the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi (which is not among the options). Therefore, among the given choices, Mangalore is the city that Abdur Razzaq is known to have visited.

His visit to Mangalore provided him with his initial impressions of the region before he moved further into the empire's territories.