Medieval Indian Rulers and Portuguese Interactions

The question asks about the medieval Indian ruler who granted permission to the Portuguese to construct a fort at Bhatkal. This involves understanding the historical context of the Vijayanagara Empire and its relationship with European powers, particularly the Portuguese, during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Vijayanagara Empire and the Portuguese

The Vijayanagara Empire, located in South India, was a dominant power that controlled significant parts of the Deccan and beyond. Its rulers had extensive interactions with foreign traders, including the Portuguese who arrived in India in the late 15th century. The Portuguese were keen on establishing a trade monopoly in the East and securing coastal footholds.

Key aspects of their relationship included:

• Trade: The Portuguese sought valuable commodities like spices, textiles, and other goods from India.
• Military Support: The Vijayanagara rulers, especially, were highly dependent on imports of high-quality horses for their cavalry, which were often supplied by the Portuguese who controlled trade routes from Persia and Arabia.
• Strategic Alliances: At times, the Portuguese and Vijayanagara found common ground against mutual rivals, such as the Deccan Sultanates.
• Coastal Presence: The Portuguese aimed to control important port cities along the western coast to facilitate trade and strengthen their position.

Krishnadevaraya and the Portuguese

Krishnadevaraya, who reigned from 1509 to 1529, was one of the most famous rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. His reign was marked by military successes, administrative reforms, and flourishing arts and literature. He also had significant dealings with the Portuguese.

During Krishnadevaraya's rule, the Vijayanagara Empire controlled important coastal areas, including ports like Bhatkal. Historical accounts, including those by Portuguese travelers who visited his court, describe the interactions between Krishnadevaraya and the Portuguese.

The Portuguese sought permission to trade and establish factories or fortified trading posts in Vijayanagara territories. Granting such permissions could benefit the empire through increased trade revenue and ensured the supply of essential imports like horses.

Records indicate that Krishnadevaraya allowed the Portuguese to establish trading posts and possibly fortified structures in certain coastal areas under his control, including Bhatkal. This permission was part of the broader diplomatic and economic relationship between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Portuguese.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the other rulers mentioned:

• Narasimha Saluva: He was the founder of the Saluva dynasty and ruled before Krishnadevaraya. While he also had interactions with foreign powers, the specific permission for a fort at Bhatkal is typically associated with Krishnadevaraya's period of strong engagement with the Portuguese.
• Muhammad Shah III: He was a ruler of the Bahmani Sultanate, a rival power to the Vijayanagara Empire in the Deccan. His interactions with the Portuguese were primarily related to areas controlled by the Bahmanis and their successor states, not coastal areas under firm Vijayanagara control like Bhatkal during Krishnadevaraya's peak.
• Yusuf Adil Shah: He was the founder of the Bijapur Sultanate, one of the successor states of the Bahmani Sultanate. He was significantly involved in conflicts with the Portuguese, particularly over the control of Goa, which the Portuguese captured from Bijapur in 1510 during the reign of Yusuf Adil Shah (though the final conquest was completed shortly after his death). His domain and interactions with the Portuguese were different from the context of Bhatkal under Vijayanagara.

Considering the historical context and the specific interactions regarding trading posts and fortifications on the western coast under Vijayanagara control, Krishnadevaraya is the ruler associated with granting such permissions to the Portuguese at Bhatkal.

Conclusion

Based on historical evidence regarding the relationship between the Vijayanagara Empire under Krishnadevaraya and the Portuguese, and the control of the port city of Bhatkal by Vijayanagara during his reign, it was Krishnadevaraya who gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort (likely a fortified trading post) at Bhatkal.

Revision Table: Medieval Indian Rulers and Portuguese Relations

Additional Information: Portuguese in Medieval India

The arrival of Vasco da Gama in Calicut in 1498 marked the beginning of the Portuguese presence in India. Initially focused on trade, the Portuguese soon sought to establish a maritime empire (Estado da Índia) by controlling key ports and trade routes.

• Goa became the capital of the Estado da Índia after its capture in 1510.
• They established factories (feitorias) which were trading posts, often fortified for protection.
• Their power was based on naval supremacy and the 'cartaz' system, requiring Indian and other ships to obtain passes from them to trade, asserting control over maritime commerce.
• Their relations with Indian rulers were complex, involving alliances, conflicts, and diplomatic exchanges based on fluctuating political and economic interests.

Understanding the interactions between powerful Indian states like the Vijayanagara Empire and the emerging European powers like Portugal is crucial for grasping the dynamics of medieval Indian history and the beginning of European influence in the subcontinent.