Understanding Foreign Travellers in the Vijayanagar Empire

This question asks about the foreign travellers who visited the famous Vijayanagar empire during a specific ruler's time, namely Achyuta Deva Raya. The Vijayanagar empire attracted many visitors from different parts of the world who wrote valuable accounts about the empire's life, culture, and administration. Identifying the correct traveller requires knowledge of which visitor was present during Achyuta Deva Raya's reign.

Identifying the Traveller During Achyuta Deva Raya's Reign

Let's look at the options provided and the time periods they visited the Vijayanagar empire:

• Fernao Nuniz: Fernao Nuniz was a Portuguese horse trader and chronicler. His account, known as the Chronicle of Fernao Nuniz, describes the history of the Vijayanagar empire and its rulers. He visited Vijayanagar around 1535-1537 CE. Achyuta Deva Raya ruled the Vijayanagar empire from 1529 to 1542 CE. Therefore, Fernao Nuniz visited during the reign of Achyuta Deva Raya.
• Nicolo de Conti: Nicolo de Conti was an Italian merchant and traveller. He visited the Vijayanagar empire much earlier, during the reign of Deva Raya I, who ruled from 1406 to 1422 CE.
• Domingo Paes: Domingo Paes was a Portuguese traveller who visited the Vijayanagar empire during the reign of the most famous ruler, Krishna Deva Raya, who ruled from 1509 to 1529 CE.
• Duarte Barbosa: Duarte Barbosa was a Portuguese writer and explorer. He also visited the Vijayanagar empire during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya, around 1516-1518 CE.

Based on the visit periods, Fernao Nuniz is the traveller who visited the Vijayanagar empire during the rule of Achyuta Deva Raya.

Summary of Travellers and Rulers

Here is a quick summary to help distinguish between these important travellers:

Therefore, the foreign traveller who visited the Vijayanagar empire during the time of Achyuta Deva Raya was Fernao Nuniz.

Revision Table: Vijayanagar Travellers

Additional Information: Importance of Travellers' Accounts

The accounts left by foreign travellers are incredibly valuable primary sources for reconstructing the history of the Vijayanagar empire. Since official records from the empire itself are scarce, the observations made by visitors like Fernao Nuniz, Domingo Paes, Nicolo de Conti, and Duarte Barbosa provide unique insights into:

• The layout and infrastructure of the capital city, Vijayanagara.
• The wealth and prosperity of the empire.
• The social structure, customs, and lifestyle of the people.
• The administrative and military systems.
• Trade activities and economic conditions.
• Religious practices and festivals.

Studying these accounts helps historians understand the Vijayanagar empire from an external perspective, complementing archaeological findings and indigenous literary sources.