Medieval History Set 16 | MROY Class

Medieval History Set 16 Questions & Answers

Before founding the Vijayanagara kingdom, Harihara and Bukka were imprisoned, converted to Islam, and appointed to deal with rebellions when Muhammad Tughlaq overran which kingdom? – Kampili
The young Vijayanagara kingdom expanded rapidly in its early years. By which year had the entire Hoysala kingdom passed into the hands of the Vijayanagara rulers? – 1346
Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah founded the Bahmani kingdom in 1347. While he claimed descent from a half-mythical Iranian hero, a popular legend by Ferishta states that the title “Bahman Shah” was actually a tribute to his: – Brahman patron
The Tungabhadra doab was a heavily contested, wealthy region located between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. According to the text, what was the approximate size of this region? – 30,000 square miles
In 1367, Bukka I assaulted the fortress of Mudkal and slaughtered the entire garrison except for one man. Enraged by this, the Bahmani sultan vowed not to sheath his sword until he had slaughtered how many Hindus in revenge? – One hundred thousand
The 1367 battle between the Bahmani sultan and the Vijayanagara king over the Tungabhadra doab is historically significant because it marked the first recorded use in this region of: – Artillery
Under Harihara II (1377–1404), the Vijayanagara empire expanded considerably. What was considered his greatest military success against the Bahmani kingdom? – Wresting Belgaum and Goa in the west
Following a defeat by Firuz Shah Bahmani, Deva Raya I had to pay a massive indemnity and marry his daughter to the sultan. To obviate future disputes, which territory did he cede in dowry? – Bankapur
Deva Raya I constructed a dam across the Tungabhadra to bring canals into the city. According to the text, by how much did these canals increase his state revenues? – 350,000 pardaos
To strengthen his military against the Bahmanids, Deva Raya II enlisted 2,000 Muslim cavalrymen and assembled a massive force. According to Ferishta, how many Hindus well skilled in archery were part of this force? – 60,000
The sixteenth-century Portuguese writer Nuniz recorded that kings of Quilon, Sri Lanka, Pulicat, Pegu, and which other Southeast Asian location paid tribute to Deva Raya II? – Tenasserim
The Persian traveler Abdur Razzaq, who visited Vijayanagara under Deva Raya II, noted the empire’s vast maritime reach. He claimed the prince had how many ports, each equal to Calicut? – Three hundred ports
Firuz Shah Bahmani (1397–1422) was renowned for his linguistic abilities and would converse with his wives in their native tongues. According to Ferishta, which three regional Indian languages was he well versed in? – Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi
Which Bahmani ruler avenged a previous defeat by invading Warangal, killing its ruler, annexing its territories, and subsequently shifting the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar? – Ahmad Shah I
Mahmud Gawan was an Iranian by birth who started as a trader before dominating Bahmani affairs as prime minister. What title was he initially granted by the sultan? – Malik-ut-Tujjar
Under Mahmud Gawan’s administrative reforms, the Bahmani kingdom was divided into eight provinces (tarafs). To maintain a contingent of 500 horses, what was the fixed annual salary for a noble? – 1,00,000 huns
During the reign of Krishna Deva Raya, the rising power of the Portuguese sought economic concessions. They offered to buy his neutrality by promising him a monopoly in the supply of horses and assistance in recovering which port from Bijapur? – Goa
In 1520, Krishna Deva Raya completely defeated the Bijapur ruler in a major battle, pushing him across the river Krishna to recover which two contested territories? – Raichur and Mudkal
Which Italian traveler at Krishna Deva Raya’s court described him as “a great ruler and a man of much justice, but subject to sudden fits of rage”? – Paes
The devastating Battle of Bannihatti in 1565, which resulted in the execution of Rama Raja and the ruin of Vijayanagara, is also known by what other name? – Battle of Rakshasa-Tangadi
In the Vijayanagara administrative hierarchy, the province was called rajya or mandalam, and the district was called nadu. What was the sub-district called? – Sthala
According to a Vijayanagara inscription, what was the specific tax rate levied on the winter crop of kuruvai (a type of rice)? – One-third of the produce
The European search for a direct sea route to India in the 15th century was heavily driven by the desire to bypass the virtual monopoly over the pepper trade established by which power? – The Ottoman Turks
In 1453, the Pope issued a Bull granting Portugal lands “discovered” beyond which African cape, on the condition of converting the peoples to Christianity? – Cape Nor
Which Portuguese navigator successfully rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, laying the basis for direct trade links between Europe and India? – Bartholomew Diaz
In 1509, the Portuguese navy routed a combined fleet of the Egyptian sultan and the ruler of Gujarat, establishing supremacy in the Indian Ocean. This battle avenged the death of the son of which Portuguese governor? – Don Almaida
Which Portuguese governor initiated the policy of dominating oriental commerce by capturing Goa from Bijapur in 1510 and establishing it as the principal center of Portuguese activity? – Albuquerque
In 1531, a Portuguese attack on Daman and Diu was successfully repulsed by an Ottoman commander who later earned a great name as a master-gunner. Who was he? – Rumi Khan
The ruler of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, granted the island of Bassein to the Portuguese to secure an alliance against the impending invasion by which Mughal emperor? – Humayun
The prolonged naval threat from the Turks to the Portuguese in the Indian Ocean finally subsided in 1566 when the Ottomans and the Portuguese came to an agreement to do what? – Share the spice and Indian trade and not clash in the Arab seas.

MROY Class

Medieval History Set 16

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📌 History • Medieval

Q.1) Before founding the Vijayanagara kingdom, Harihara and Bukka were imprisoned, converted to Islam, and appointed to deal with rebellions when Muhammad Tughlaq overran which kingdom?

Ans > Kampili

Early Life and Capture: Harihara and Bukka were initially serving the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal before its fall. They subsequently moved to the Kampili kingdom. When Muhammad bin Tughlaq of the Delhi Sultanate invaded and defeated Kampili in 1327, the brothers were taken prisoner and brought to Delhi.
Conversion and Return: To secure their release and gain the Sultan’s trust, they converted to Islam. Recognizing their local influence and administrative skills, Tughlaq dispatched them back to the Deccan to suppress the growing rebellions against his rule in the region.
Founding of Vijayanagara: Upon returning to the south, they were heavily influenced by the Hindu sage Vidyaranya. They seized the opportunity presented by the waning power of the Delhi Sultanate, returned to Hinduism, and founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336 on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, establishing the Sangama dynasty to protect Hindu dharma.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.2) The young Vijayanagara kingdom expanded rapidly in its early years. By which year had the entire Hoysala kingdom passed into the hands of the Vijayanagara rulers?

Ans > 1346

Decline of the Hoysalas: The Hoysala Empire, which once dominated the southern Deccan, was severely weakened by repeated invasions from the Delhi Sultanate, particularly by Malik Kafur and later Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Their last great ruler, Veera Ballala III, was killed in a battle against the Madurai Sultanate in 1343.
Vijayanagara’s Expansion: Following the tragic death of Veera Ballala III, the Hoysala territories were left in a state of political vacuum and extreme vulnerability. Harihara I and Bukka I, the founders of the young Vijayanagara kingdom, strategically capitalized on this instability.
Complete Annexation: Through a combination of shrewd diplomacy, marital alliances, and direct military conquests, the brothers systematically absorbed the remaining Hoysala territories. By 1346, the entire Hoysala kingdom had seamlessly transitioned into the hands of the Vijayanagara rulers, massively expanding their resource base, manpower, and territorial boundaries, making them the paramount power in South India.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.3) Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah founded the Bahmani kingdom in 1347. While he claimed descent from a half-mythical Iranian hero, a popular legend by Ferishta states that the title “Bahman Shah” was actually a tribute to his:

Ans > Brahman patron

Origins of the Founder: Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah, originally known as Hasan Gangu, was the founder of the Bahmani Sultanate in 1347. While royal chronicles often attempted to link his lineage to the legendary Iranian king Bahman to legitimize his rule, popular historical traditions provide a vastly different narrative regarding his roots.
The Legend of Gangu: According to the renowned Persian historian Ferishta, Hasan initially lived in profound poverty and worked as a humble servant for a wealthy and kind-hearted Brahman named Gangu in Delhi. The Brahman predicted Hasan’s future greatness and supported him significantly during his early, difficult struggles.
A Tribute to Loyalty: When Hasan successfully established his independent kingdom in the Deccan after revolting against Muhammad bin Tughlaq, he adopted the majestic title “Bahman Shah.” Ferishta asserts that this title was not a claim to royal Persian descent but a deliberate, grateful tribute to his former Brahman master and patron, Gangu, reflecting a unique synthesis of Hindu-Muslim cultural ties in the early Deccan.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.4) The Tungabhadra doab was a heavily contested, wealthy region located between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. According to the text, what was the approximate size of this region?

Ans > 30,000 square miles

Geographical Significance: The Tungabhadra doab is the highly fertile, extremely wealthy triangular tract of land geographically situated between the Krishna River and its major tributary, the Tungabhadra River. This region served as the primary breadbasket for whoever managed to control it.
Economic Value: Comprising approximately 30,000 square miles of prime agricultural land, the doab was universally famous for its rich soil, thriving agrarian economy, and massive revenue generation. It also housed crucial diamond mines and controlled strategic trade routes linking the western coast to the eastern ports.
Bone of Contention: Because of its immense economic and strategic value, the Tungabhadra doab became the epicenter of a relentless, centuries-long military conflict between the Bahmani Sultanate (and its successor states like Bijapur) to the north and the Vijayanagara Empire to the south. Both empires viewed the absolute control of these 30,000 square miles as strictly essential for their political survival and imperial expansion, leading to countless bloody skirmishes.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.5) In 1367, Bukka I assaulted the fortress of Mudkal and slaughtered the entire garrison except for one man. Enraged by this, the Bahmani sultan vowed not to sheath his sword until he had slaughtered how many Hindus in revenge?

Ans > One hundred thousand

Escalation of Conflict: The deep rivalry over the Tungabhadra doab reached unprecedented levels of brutality during the parallel reigns of Bukka I of Vijayanagara and Muhammad Shah I of the Bahmani Sultanate. In 1367, Bukka I launched a massive surprise assault on the highly strategic Bahmani fortress of Mudkal.
The Massacre at Mudkal: During this aggressive military campaign, Bukka’s forces showed absolutely no quarter, slaughtering the entire Bahmani garrison stationed at Mudkal. They left only a single, traumatized survivor to carry the grim news back to the Bahmani capital to strike fear into their enemies.
The Sultan’s Vow: Enraged by this unprecedented provocation and the massive loss of life, Sultan Muhammad Shah I swore a terrifying, bloodcurdling oath. He publicly vowed that he would not sheath his sword or rest until he had slaughtered exactly one hundred thousand Hindus in total retaliation. This vow led to a devastating and incredibly bloody campaign across the doab, setting a grim precedent for the scale of violence and the intensely bitter nature of the Bahmani-Vijayanagara wars.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.6) The 1367 battle between the Bahmani sultan and the Vijayanagara king over the Tungabhadra doab is historically significant because it marked the first recorded use in this region of:

Ans > Artillery

Technological Shift in Warfare: The horrific 1367 battle between the Bahmani Sultan Muhammad Shah I and the Vijayanagara King Bukka I is a major landmark event in the military history of the Indian subcontinent. It fundamentally altered exactly how wars were fought in the Deccan region.
Introduction of Artillery: Historical records clearly indicate that this specific, bloody conflict witnessed the very first recorded use of artillery in the region. Both sides deployed rudimentary cannons and crude gunpowder weapons, moving away from relying strictly and solely on traditional cavalry, infantry, and war elephants.
European and Turkish Influence: The introduction of these early firearms and artillery pieces is largely attributed to the active employment of foreign mercenaries, specifically Turkish and European master-gunners, by both empires. This technological arms race forced a massive change in fortress architecture, leading to thicker walls and specialized bastions designed to withstand cannon fire, forever changing the strategic landscape of medieval South Indian warfare.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.7) Under Harihara II (1377–1404), the Vijayanagara empire expanded considerably. What was considered his greatest military success against the Bahmani kingdom?

Ans > Wresting Belgaum and Goa in the west

Expansionist Policies: Harihara II, the highly capable third ruler of the Sangama dynasty, reigned from 1377 to 1404 and was instrumental in aggressively transforming the Vijayanagara kingdom into a formidable, massive imperial power. He systematically expanded his territories in almost all directions, successfully consolidating absolute control over the entire southern peninsula.
The Western Campaign: His most significant and strategic military triumph was executed against the Bahmani Sultanate on the contested western front. Recognizing the immense, unparalleled economic importance of international maritime trade, Harihara II directed his massive forces to capture key coastal territories.
Economic and Strategic Triumph: He successfully wrested the crucial, wealthy ports and territories of Belgaum and Goa from deep Bahmani control. Capturing Goa was particularly vital, as it was the premier port for the highly lucrative importation of Arabian and Persian war horses. Controlling this massive supply line drastically strengthened the Vijayanagara cavalry while simultaneously dealing a massive economic and military blow to their Bahmani rivals.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.8) Following a defeat by Firuz Shah Bahmani, Deva Raya I had to pay a massive indemnity and marry his daughter to the sultan. To obviate future disputes, which territory did he cede in dowry?

Ans > Bankapur

The Conflict of 1406: Deva Raya I, who forcefully ruled Vijayanagara from 1406 to 1422, faced immediate and severe military challenges from the Bahmani Sultanate, particularly from the highly ambitious ruler Firuz Shah Bahmani. A major, bloody conflict erupted over total control of the Raichur Doab.
Defeat and Humiliation: Firuz Shah launched a massive, multi-pronged invasion, ultimately defeating the Vijayanagara forces. To secure peace and completely prevent the total sacking of his wealthy capital, Deva Raya I was forced into a highly humiliating, one-sided treaty. He had to pay a massive war indemnity containing millions of gold coins, pearls, and trained elephants.
The Strategic Dowry: Furthermore, as part of the strict peace settlement, Deva Raya I was politically compelled to marry his own daughter to Sultan Firuz Shah. To ostensibly “obviate all future disputes” and secure a lasting truce, he formally ceded the highly strategic and wealthy territory of Bankapur, located deeply in the contested Tungabhadra doab, as her dowry, significantly shifting the regional balance of power.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.9) Deva Raya I constructed a dam across the Tungabhadra to bring canals into the city. According to the text, by how much did these canals increase his state revenues?

Ans > 350,000 pardaos

Visionary Infrastructure: Deva Raya I was not merely a military commander; he was a highly visionary civilian administrator who recognized that the long-term survival of his capital city, Hampi (Vijayanagara), depended entirely on a reliable, year-round water supply to support its booming population and massive agricultural needs.
The Tungabhadra Dam: To permanently solve the chronic water shortage, he commissioned the construction of a massive, engineering marvel—a huge dam across the turbulent, rocky Tungabhadra River. Using immense stone blocks and highly advanced hydraulic engineering for the era, he successfully diverted water into an intricate, vast network of aqueducts and canals leading directly into the heart of the city.
Massive Economic Boom: These massive canals did more than just provide drinking water; they transformed the arid, rocky lands surrounding the capital into highly fertile, heavily irrigated agricultural zones. This massive boost in agricultural productivity significantly increased the state’s tax base, enriching the royal treasury by an astounding 350,000 pardaos (gold coins) annually, funding further military expansions.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.10) To strengthen his military against the Bahmanids, Deva Raya II enlisted 2,000 Muslim cavalrymen and assembled a massive force. According to Ferishta, how many Hindus well skilled in archery were part of this force?

Ans > 60,000

Military Modernization: Deva Raya II (reigned 1422–1446) was acutely aware that the primary reason for Vijayanagara’s past, devastating defeats at the hands of the Bahmani Sultanate was the vastly superior quality of the Bahmani cavalry and their highly skilled mounted archers.
Enlisting Muslim Mercenaries: In a highly pragmatic and completely revolutionary move, Deva Raya II decided to modernize his army by explicitly enlisting 2,000 skilled Muslim cavalrymen. He provided them with generous land grants (jagirs), built a dedicated mosque in the capital for them, and strictly ordered his Hindu soldiers to learn the art of mounted archery from these new recruits.
A Formidable Archery Force: This aggressive training initiative was a massive, unqualified success. According to the Persian historian Ferishta, Deva Raya II eventually assembled an incredibly formidable force containing 60,000 Hindu soldiers who were exceptionally well-skilled in archery. This newly modernized, highly disciplined archery corps dramatically leveled the playing field, allowing Vijayanagara to successfully hold its ground in subsequent bloody wars.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.11) The sixteenth-century Portuguese writer Nuniz recorded that kings of Quilon, Sri Lanka, Pulicat, Pegu, and which other Southeast Asian location paid tribute to Deva Raya II?

Ans > Tenasserim

The Zenith of Sangama Power: Under the brilliant, aggressive leadership of Deva Raya II, the Vijayanagara Empire reached the absolute zenith of its territorial expansion and military prestige under the Sangama dynasty. His highly successful military campaigns extended far beyond the traditional borders of the Tungabhadra doab.
Overseas Influence: According to the highly detailed chronicles of the sixteenth-century Portuguese horse trader and writer Fernão Nunes (Nuniz), Deva Raya II’s power was not confined to the Indian peninsula. His massive naval fleet and diplomatic reach were formidable enough to command deep respect across the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.
Tributary States: Nuniz explicitly and clearly recorded that powerful foreign rulers, including the kings of Quilon, Sri Lanka, Pulicat, Pegu (in modern-day Myanmar), and Tenasserim (also in Myanmar/Burma), formally recognized his suzerainty and paid regular, massive financial tribute to his court. This highlights Vijayanagara’s immense economic influence and its status as a dominant maritime power during the 15th century.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.12) The Persian traveler Abdur Razzaq, who visited Vijayanagara under Deva Raya II, noted the empire’s vast maritime reach. He claimed the prince had how many ports, each equal to Calicut?

Ans > Three hundred ports

The Visit of Abdur Razzaq: Abdur Razzaq was a highly observant Persian scholar and formal ambassador dispatched by the Timurid ruler Shah Rukh. He visited the grand, bustling city of Vijayanagara in 1443, during the incredibly prosperous reign of Deva Raya II, and left behind incredibly detailed accounts of the empire’s administration, wealth, and geography.
Maritime Supremacy: In his extensive, widely read travelogues, Razzaq was profoundly struck by the sheer, unbelievable scale of the empire’s maritime economy. He noted that the kingdom’s coastline was vast and heavily fortified, supporting a massive network of international maritime trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Unprecedented Scale: To heavily emphasize this economic dominance to his ruler, Razzaq explicitly claimed that the Vijayanagara prince had in his dominions exactly “three hundred ports.” He further noted that each of these three hundred ports was equal in size, wealth, and commercial activity to Calicut, which was then universally considered one of the absolute greatest and busiest trading hubs in the medieval world.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.13) Firuz Shah Bahmani (1397–1422) was renowned for his linguistic abilities and would converse with his wives in their native tongues. According to Ferishta, which three regional Indian languages was he well versed in?

Ans > Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi

The Scholar Sultan: Firuz Shah Bahmani, who ruled from 1397 to 1422, is widely regarded as one of the most intellectually brilliant and culturally enlightened rulers of the Bahmani Sultanate. He actively promoted learning, philosophy, and the sciences, turning his lavish court into a vibrant center of international culture.
Linguistic Genius: Unlike many medieval monarchs who restricted themselves to courtly languages, Firuz Shah possessed an extraordinary, almost unparalleled linguistic aptitude. The historian Ferishta notes that he was flawlessly fluent in Persian, Arabic, and Turkish, allowing him to converse freely with scholars and merchants from across the Islamic world.
Embracing Local Cultures: More impressively, to effectively govern his diverse subjects and build deep local alliances, he mastered the regional languages of his empire. He was well versed in Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi, and reportedly insisted on conversing with the women in his massive harem in their respective native tongues, showcasing a rare level of cultural assimilation and linguistic respect.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.14) Which Bahmani ruler avenged a previous defeat by invading Warangal, killing its ruler, annexing its territories, and subsequently shifting the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar?

Ans > Ahmad Shah I

The Shift in Power: Ahmad Shah I (1422–1436) ascended the Bahmani throne after forcing his brother Firuz Shah to abdicate. He immediately set out to fiercely avenge previous military setbacks and aggressively expand the Sultanate’s borders, particularly focusing his wrath on the eastern frontiers.
The Destruction of Warangal: In a brutal and decisive military campaign, Ahmad Shah I massively invaded the Hindu kingdom of Warangal. He completely defeated their army, brutally killed the ruling monarch, plundered its immense wealth, and permanently annexed its territories, effectively wiping the ancient Kakatiya stronghold off the political map.
Relocating the Capital: Following this massive, bloody victory, Ahmad Shah made a highly strategic and culturally significant decision. He formally shifted the Bahmani capital from the hot, congested city of Gulbarga to the more centrally located, elevated, and easily defensible city of Bidar. This move marked a new era for the Sultanate, initiating a period of magnificent architectural development and deeper cultural ties with Persia.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.15) Mahmud Gawan was an Iranian by birth who started as a trader before dominating Bahmani affairs as prime minister. What title was he initially granted by the sultan?

Ans > Malik-ut-Tujjar

Rise of a Foreigner: Mahmud Gawan, an incredibly talented Iranian by birth, originally arrived in the Deccan as a highly wealthy horse merchant. His immense, practical knowledge of international trade, administration, and military strategy quickly caught the attention of the Bahmani royal court.
Gaining Royal Favor: Introduced to the Bahmani Sultan, Gawan’s sharp intellect and superb diplomatic skills rapidly made him a royal favorite. Recognizing his vast potential, the Sultan bestowed upon him extremely high honors, marking the beginning of his spectacular rise to the absolute pinnacle of political power in the Deccan.
The Title of Chief Merchant: He was initially granted the highly prestigious title of “Malik-ut-Tujjar,” which translates directly to “Prince of Merchants” or “Chief of the Merchants.” This title formally recognized his vast commercial network and economic expertise. Gawan would later rise to the position of Prime Minister (Vakil-us-Sultanat), where he implemented sweeping military and agrarian reforms that temporarily saved the Bahmani Sultanate from internal collapse and drastically expanded its borders.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.16) Under Mahmud Gawan’s administrative reforms, the Bahmani kingdom was divided into eight provinces (tarafs). To maintain a contingent of 500 horses, what was the fixed annual salary for a noble?

Ans > 1,00,000 huns

Gawan’s Administrative Overhaul: As Prime Minister, Mahmud Gawan realized that the Bahmani Sultanate’s provincial governors (tarafdars) had become dangerously powerful, acting like independent kings. To sharply curb their autonomy and centralize royal authority, he implemented strict administrative and military reforms.
Reorganizing the Tarafs: He heavily divided the existing four massive provinces into eight smaller, much more manageable provinces (tarafs). Furthermore, he brought key forts in each province directly under the control of commanders appointed by the Sultan, rather than the local governor, severely weakening their local military power.
Standardizing Military Pay: To completely prevent corruption and ensure the army was properly maintained, Gawan strictly standardized the military payment system. For a noble (amirdar) tasked with maintaining a specific contingent of 500 war horses, Gawan fixed the official annual salary at exactly 1,00,000 huns (gold coins). This massive salary could be paid in cash or through the revenue of a designated land grant (jagir), fundamentally streamlining the Bahmani military administration.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.17) During the reign of Krishna Deva Raya, the rising power of the Portuguese sought economic concessions. They offered to buy his neutrality by promising him a monopoly in the supply of horses and assistance in recovering which port from Bijapur?

Ans > Goa

The Arrival of the Portuguese: During the highly illustrious reign of Krishna Deva Raya (1509–1529), a new and incredibly aggressive naval power, the Portuguese, arrived on the western coast of India. Led by Alfonso de Albuquerque, they desperately sought to completely monopolize the highly lucrative Indian Ocean spice trade.
Seeking Vijayanagara’s Alliance: The Portuguese clearly recognized that the Vijayanagara Empire was the absolute paramount land power in the south. To successfully secure their own foothold on the coast without facing massive retaliation from Vijayanagara, the Portuguese sent envoys to Krishna Deva Raya’s court seeking diplomatic neutrality and economic concessions.
The Strategic Bargain: To heavily tempt the powerful emperor, the Portuguese offered a highly strategic bargain. They promised Krishna Deva Raya an exclusive, strict monopoly on the supply of superior Arabian war horses—crucial for his cavalry. In return, they asked for his strict neutrality and tacit assistance in their military campaign to rapidly capture the vital, wealthy port city of Goa from the Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.18) In 1520, Krishna Deva Raya completely defeated the Bijapur ruler in a major battle, pushing him across the river Krishna to recover which two contested territories?

Ans > Raichur and Mudkal

The Lifelong Feud: The Raichur Doab, a massively fertile tract of land heavily fortified and extremely rich in resources, was a constant, bloody bone of contention between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur. Control over this region was seen as a matter of immense strategic prestige and economic necessity.
The Climactic Battle of 1520: Under the highly dynamic leadership of Krishna Deva Raya, the Vijayanagara army launched a massive, full-scale offensive against Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur. The two massive, highly equipped armies clashed in 1520 in one of the most decisive battles of the medieval era.
Vijayanagara’s Triumph: Krishna Deva Raya’s superior military tactics and highly motivated infantry completely crushed the Bijapur forces. The defeated Sultan was pushed back across the Krishna River in total disarray. As a direct result of this crushing victory, Krishna Deva Raya successfully recovered and firmly annexed the highly prized and heavily contested fortress cities of Raichur and Mudkal, cementing his legacy as an undefeated general.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.19) Which Italian traveler at Krishna Deva Raya’s court described him as “a great ruler and a man of much justice, but subject to sudden fits of rage”?

Ans > Paes

European Observers in Hampi: During its spectacular golden age under Krishna Deva Raya, the immense wealth and sheer power of Vijayanagara attracted numerous foreign travelers, merchants, and diplomats, particularly from Portugal and Italy. These travelers left behind invaluable, highly vivid accounts of the empire’s administration and society.
Domingo Paes’s Account: One of the most famous observers was Domingo Paes, a Portuguese/Italian traveler and prominent horse trader who spent several years residing at the bustling royal court. His highly detailed chronicles provide an intimate, firsthand look into the daily life, massive military parades, and personal character of the emperor.
A Balanced Character Sketch: Paes was deeply impressed by Krishna Deva Raya’s impressive physical prowess, his administrative brilliance, and his remarkable accessibility to his subjects. He famously described the emperor as “a great ruler and a man of much justice.” However, Paes also carefully noted the ruler’s volatile temperament, adding that despite his overall fairness, he was uniquely “subject to sudden fits of rage,” providing a profoundly humanizing portrait of the legendary king.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.20) The devastating Battle of Bannihatti in 1565, which resulted in the execution of Rama Raja and the ruin of Vijayanagara, is also known by what other name?

Ans > Battle of Rakshasa-Tangadi

The Shifting Alliances: By 1565, the de facto ruler of Vijayanagara, Aliya Rama Raya, had spent years playing the various Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar) against each other through incredibly complex diplomacy and aggressive military interventions. Eventually, realizing the existential threat he posed, the Sultanates formed an unprecedented grand alliance to destroy him completely.
The Clash of Empires: The combined, massive armies of the Deccan Sultanates met the vast forces of Vijayanagara on the plains of Bannihatti, in a massive conflict that would permanently change the course of Indian history and politics.
The Fall of the Capital: Despite an initial, strong advantage, the Vijayanagara army was betrayed by key commanders, leading to total collapse. Rama Raya was captured and swiftly beheaded. This catastrophic defeat is widely known as the Battle of Talikota, but in historical records, it is most accurately referred to as the Battle of Rakshasa-Tangadi, named after the two twin villages near the actual battlefield. Following this, the magnificent capital of Hampi was mercilessly sacked and reduced to ruins over several months.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.21) In the Vijayanagara administrative hierarchy, the province was called rajya or mandalam, and the district was called nadu. What was the sub-district called?

Ans > Sthala

Decentralized Administration: The Vijayanagara Empire was incredibly vast, encompassing highly diverse linguistic and cultural zones across South India. To effectively govern this massive territory and ensure highly efficient tax collection, the empire utilized a highly structured, decentralized administrative hierarchy.
The Provincial Structure: At the absolute top tier, the massive empire was heavily divided into major provinces known as *rajyas* or *mandalams*, which were usually governed by royal princes or powerful military commanders (Nayakas). Below the provincial level, these massive territories were further subdivided into smaller districts known as *nadu*.
The Grassroots Hierarchy: To manage administration at the deeply local level, each *nadu* was meticulously divided into sub-districts known as *sthala*. Finally, the absolute lowest and most fundamental unit of the administrative structure was the *grama*, or the village. This multi-tiered system (Mandalam -> Nadu -> Sthala -> Grama) allowed the central authority in Hampi to maintain strong economic and political control over highly remote agrarian communities.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.22) According to a Vijayanagara inscription, what was the specific tax rate levied on the winter crop of kuruvai (a type of rice)?

Ans > One-third of the produce

Agrarian Economy: The Vijayanagara Empire’s immense wealth was primarily based on a highly organized and heavily taxed agrarian economy. The state took a massive interest in actively promoting agriculture by constructing huge dams, massive irrigation tanks, and extensive canal networks.
Complex Taxation System: The land revenue system was highly complex and varied significantly depending on the specific type of soil, the method of irrigation used, and the specific crop being cultivated. Taxes were generally collected in both cash and kind, requiring a massive bureaucracy of local accountants and strict assessors.
Specific Tax Rates: Historical inscriptions provide incredible, granular detail on these exacting tax structures. For instance, according to a specific surviving Vijayanagara stone inscription, the state levied a highly precise tax rate of exactly one-third of the total gross produce for the winter cultivation of *kuruvai*, which is a specific, fast-growing variety of rice. This indicates a heavy, but highly systematized, burden on the peasantry to support the empire’s massive military machine.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.23) The European search for a direct sea route to India in the 15th century was heavily driven by the desire to bypass the virtual monopoly over the pepper trade established by which power?

Ans > The Ottoman Turks

The Lure of Spices: During the late Middle Ages, European demand for Asian spices—particularly black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves—skyrocketed massively. These spices were absolutely essential for preserving meat, flavoring food, and producing medicines, making them as valuable as gold in European markets.
The Blocked Trade Routes: Historically, this incredibly lucrative trade was dominated by Arab merchants who transported goods across the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea, where Venetian and Genoese merchants distributed them across Europe. However, the geopolitical landscape changed drastically with the rise of the Islamic empires in the Middle East.
The Ottoman Monopoly: Following the devastating fall of Constantinople in 1453, the powerful Ottoman Turks firmly established a virtual, unyielding monopoly over the overland and Red Sea trade routes. They imposed massive taxes and strict blockades, making spices unaffordably expensive for Europeans. This strangling Ottoman monopoly was the primary catalyst that forced European monarchs to urgently fund perilous maritime expeditions to discover a direct, oceanic sea route to India.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.24) In 1453, the Pope issued a Bull granting Portugal lands “discovered” beyond which African cape, on the condition of converting the peoples to Christianity?

Ans > Cape Nor

The Age of Discovery: In the 15th century, the Iberian nations of Portugal and Spain spearheaded the Age of Discovery, aggressively exploring the Atlantic and the coast of Africa in search of vast wealth, new trade routes, and opportunities to completely bypass Islamic middlemen in the East.
Papal Legitimacy: To completely prevent bloody conflicts between Christian nations over these newly “discovered” territories, European monarchs frequently sought legal and spiritual arbitration from the Pope in Rome. The Papacy issued official decrees, known as Papal Bulls, to firmly divide the globe into exclusive spheres of influence.
The Bull of 1453: In 1453, a highly significant Papal Bull was formally issued explicitly granting the Kingdom of Portugal exclusive maritime rights and absolute sovereignty over all lands “discovered” beyond Cape Nor on the West African coast, extending all the way to India. However, this massive geopolitical grant came with a strict, non-negotiable religious condition: the Portuguese monarchy was morally obligated to aggressively convert the indigenous populations of these lands to the Catholic Christian faith.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.25) Which Portuguese navigator successfully rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, laying the basis for direct trade links between Europe and India?

Ans > Bartholomew Diaz

Pushing the Boundaries: Throughout the 15th century, Portuguese explorers, heavily funded by Prince Henry the Navigator, systematically and slowly inched their way further down the uncharted western coast of Africa, battling intense storms, unknown currents, and diseases in their desperate quest to find the southern tip of the continent.
A Monumental Breakthrough: In 1488, the highly courageous Portuguese navigator Bartholomew Diaz achieved a massive, historic breakthrough. Caught in a terrifying, multi-day storm, his small fleet was blown far off course to the south. When the massive storm finally cleared, he realized he had inadvertently sailed past the southernmost tip of Africa.
The Cape of Good Hope: He initially named it the “Cape of Storms,” but the Portuguese King renamed it the “Cape of Good Hope” because it mathematically proved that the Indian Ocean was accessible by sea from the Atlantic. Diaz’s incredible voyage definitively shattered ancient geographical myths and formally laid the geographical basis for Vasco da Gama’s later, successful direct trade voyage to India in 1498.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.26) In 1509, the Portuguese navy routed a combined fleet of the Egyptian sultan and the ruler of Gujarat, establishing supremacy in the Indian Ocean. This battle avenged the death of the son of which Portuguese governor?

Ans > Don Almaida

The Threat to Arab Trade: The sudden, aggressive arrival of heavily armed Portuguese ships in the Indian Ocean severely disrupted the centuries-old, highly profitable spice trade network dominated by Arab and Gujarati merchants. Realizing the existential threat to their economies, regional Islamic powers formed an unprecedented naval coalition.
The Battle of Chaul: In 1508, a combined, massive fleet consisting of ships from the Egyptian Mamluk Sultanate, the Zamorin of Calicut, and the Sultan of Gujarat ambushed the Portuguese at the Battle of Chaul. During this intense clash, the Portuguese suffered a bitter defeat, and the young son of the Portuguese Viceroy, Francisco de Almeida (Don Almaida), was killed in action.
The Vengeance at Diu: Deeply grieved and enraged, Viceroy Don Almaida refused to hand over his office until he had exacted total revenge. In 1509, he led a massive Portuguese armada into the Battle of Diu, completely routing and destroying the combined Egyptian and Gujarati fleets. This decisive victory avenged his son and permanently established absolute Portuguese naval supremacy in the Indian Ocean for the next century.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.27) Which Portuguese governor initiated the policy of dominating oriental commerce by capturing Goa from Bijapur in 1510 and establishing it as the principal center of Portuguese activity?

Ans > Albuquerque

Architect of the Empire: Afonso de Albuquerque, the highly ambitious second Viceroy of Portuguese India, was a ruthless and brilliant military strategist. He realized that simply sending trading fleets from Lisbon was insufficient to maintain a monopoly; Portugal needed permanent, heavily fortified territorial bases across the Indian Ocean to physically control the sea lanes.
The Capture of Goa: Abandoning the previous policy of relying solely on naval dominance, Albuquerque initiated a highly aggressive imperial policy of territorial conquest. In 1510, he launched a massive, successful assault on the wealthy island port of Goa, aggressively capturing it from the Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur.
The New Capital: Albuquerque immediately fortified Goa, massacred its Muslim inhabitants to prevent rebellions, and established it as the absolute principal center of Portuguese political and commercial activity in Asia. Goa provided an impregnable naval base, a massive shipbuilding center, and strategic control over the lucrative Arabian horse trade, serving as the glittering capital of the *Estado da Índia* for over four hundred years.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.28) In 1531, a Portuguese attack on Daman and Diu was successfully repulsed by an Ottoman commander who later earned a great name as a master-gunner. Who was he?

Ans > Rumi Khan

The Ottoman Response: The rapid rise of the Portuguese Empire in the Indian Ocean deeply alarmed the powerful Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans viewed themselves as the absolute protectors of global Islamic trade routes and holy sites, and they deeply resented the Portuguese blockades of the Red Sea.
The Siege of Diu (1531): To crush Portuguese influence, the Ottomans repeatedly dispatched heavily armed naval expeditions to assist the local Indian Sultanates. In 1531, the Portuguese launched a massive, preemptive naval attack aimed at capturing the strategic Gujarati ports of Daman and Diu.
The Master-Gunner: The Portuguese assault was decisively and violently repulsed by the combined Gujarati forces, heavily aided by a brilliant Ottoman military commander known as Rumi Khan. Rumi Khan was an absolute master-gunner and a highly skilled artillery expert. His deployment of advanced Ottoman cannons and superior siege tactics completely shattered the Portuguese fleet, earning him a legendary reputation across the Deccan, where he later introduced advanced artillery to several Indian Sultanates.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.29) The ruler of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, granted the island of Bassein to the Portuguese to secure an alliance against the impending invasion by which Mughal emperor?

Ans > Humayun

The Mughal Threat: In the 1530s, Bahadur Shah, the powerful and highly ambitious ruler of the Gujarat Sultanate, found himself facing a terrifying existential threat from the north. The newly established Mughal Empire, under the command of Emperor Humayun, launched a massive and highly successful invasion into Gujarati territory.
Desperate Diplomacy: Facing total annihilation by Humayun’s superior forces, Bahadur Shah became desperate. He urgently needed military assistance, particularly naval support and advanced artillery, which only the Europeans possessed. He opened frantic diplomatic channels with his former enemies, the Portuguese.
Ceding Bassein: To secure a binding military alliance and guarantee Portuguese armed intervention against the advancing Mughal armies, Bahadur Shah was forced to make a massive territorial concession. In the Treaty of Bassein (1534), he officially granted the highly strategic island of Bassein (along with surrounding territories and revenues) to the Portuguese. This act of desperation significantly expanded the Portuguese colonial footprint on the western coast of India, deeply embedding them in regional Indian politics.

📌 History • Medieval

Q.30) The prolonged naval threat from the Turks to the Portuguese in the Indian Ocean finally subsided in 1566 when the Ottomans and the Portuguese came to an agreement to do what?

Ans > Share the spice and Indian trade and not clash in the Arab seas.

Decades of Naval Warfare: Throughout the early 16th century, the Indian Ocean was a massive, bloody theater of war between the heavily armed galleons of the Portuguese Empire and the massive war galleys of the Ottoman Empire. Both superpowers relentlessly fought to establish an absolute, unyielding monopoly over the highly lucrative global spice trade.
Strategic Exhaustion: After decades of brutal naval sieges, blockades in the Red Sea, and proxy wars involving various Indian Sultanates, both empires began to suffer from severe economic exhaustion. Neither side could completely eradicate the other’s naval presence, and the constant warfare was drastically reducing their profit margins.
The 1566 Truce: Realizing the absolute futility of perpetual conflict, pragmatism finally prevailed over religious and imperial rivalry. In 1566, the Ottomans and the Portuguese came to a historic, highly secret geopolitical agreement. They formally agreed to divide the spheres of influence, share the immense profits of the spice and Indian trade, and strictly avoid engaging in further naval clashes in the Arab seas, bringing an era of relative stability to the region.

📌 Quick Summary — Medieval History Set 16

Kampili Rebellion: Harihara and Bukka were imprisoned and appointed to deal with rebellions here.
Hoysala Kingdom: Passed into the hands of the Vijayanagara rulers by 1346.
Bahman Shah: The title was meant to be a tribute to his Brahman patron, Gangu.
Tungabhadra Doab: A wealthy region consisting of approximately 30,000 square miles.
1367 Revenge: The Bahmani sultan vowed to slaughter one hundred thousand Hindus.
First Use of Artillery: Recorded during the 1367 battle between Bahmani and Vijayanagara.
Harihara II: Greatest success was wresting Belgaum and Goa in the west.
Deva Raya I’s Dowry: Ceded Bankapur to obviate future disputes with Firuz Shah.
Canal Revenues: Tungabhadra canals increased state revenues by 350,000 pardaos.
Deva Raya II’s Forces: Assembled 60,000 Hindus well skilled in archery.
Southeast Asian Tribute: Kings of Tenasserim (along with others) paid tribute to Deva Raya II.
Vijayanagara Ports: Abdur Razzaq noted the empire had three hundred ports.
Firuz Shah’s Languages: Well versed in Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi.
Ahmad Shah I: Invaded Warangal, killed its ruler, and shifted capital to Bidar.
Mahmud Gawan: Was initially granted the title of Malik-ut-Tujjar.
Noble’s Salary: Fixed at 1,00,000 huns per year for maintaining 500 horses.
Portuguese Strategy: Offered Krishna Deva Raya monopoly in horses to recover Goa.
1520 Battle: Krishna Deva Raya recovered Raichur and Mudkal from Bijapur.
Italian Traveler Paes: Described Krishna Deva Raya as just but subject to fits of rage.
Battle of Bannihatti: Also called the battle of Talikota or Rakshasa-Tangadi (1565).
Vijayanagara Administration: The sub-district was called Sthala.
Winter Crop Tax: Tax was one-third of the produce of kuruvai rice.
Spice Monopoly: European search for sea routes was driven by the Ottoman Turks’ monopoly.
1453 Papal Bull: Granted Portugal lands “discovered” beyond Cape Nor.
Bartholomew Diaz: Successfully rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488.
1509 Naval Battle: Avenged the death of the son of Portuguese governor Don Almaida.
Albuquerque: Initiated dominance by capturing Goa from Bijapur in 1510.
Rumi Khan: Ottoman commander who repulsed the Portuguese attack on Daman and Diu.
Bassein Island: Granted to the Portuguese by Bahadur Shah to secure an alliance against Humayun.
1566 Agreement: Portuguese and Ottomans agreed to share trade and not clash in Arab seas.

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Medieval History Set 16

Q.1) Before founding the Vijayanagara kingdom, Harihara and Bukka were imprisoned, converted to Islam, and appointed to deal with rebellions when Muhammad Tughlaq overran which kingdom?

Q.2) The young Vijayanagara kingdom expanded rapidly in its early years. By which year had the entire Hoysala kingdom passed into the hands of the Vijayanagara rulers?

Q.3) Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah founded the Bahmani kingdom in 1347. While he claimed descent from a half-mythical Iranian hero, a popular legend by Ferishta states that the title “Bahman Shah” was actually a tribute to his:

Q.4) The Tungabhadra doab was a heavily contested, wealthy region located between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. According to the text, what was the approximate size of this region?

Q.5) In 1367, Bukka I assaulted the fortress of Mudkal and slaughtered the entire garrison except for one man. Enraged by this, the Bahmani sultan vowed not to sheath his sword until he had slaughtered how many Hindus in revenge?

Q.6) The 1367 battle between the Bahmani sultan and the Vijayanagara king over the Tungabhadra doab is historically significant because it marked the first recorded use in this region of:

Q.7) Under Harihara II (1377–1404), the Vijayanagara empire expanded considerably. What was considered his greatest military success against the Bahmani kingdom?

Q.8) Following a defeat by Firuz Shah Bahmani, Deva Raya I had to pay a massive indemnity and marry his daughter to the sultan. To obviate future disputes, which territory did he cede in dowry?

Q.9) Deva Raya I constructed a dam across the Tungabhadra to bring canals into the city. According to the text, by how much did these canals increase his state revenues?

Q.10) To strengthen his military against the Bahmanids, Deva Raya II enlisted 2,000 Muslim cavalrymen and assembled a massive force. According to Ferishta, how many Hindus well skilled in archery were part of this force?

Q.11) The sixteenth-century Portuguese writer Nuniz recorded that kings of Quilon, Sri Lanka, Pulicat, Pegu, and which other Southeast Asian location paid tribute to Deva Raya II?

Q.12) The Persian traveler Abdur Razzaq, who visited Vijayanagara under Deva Raya II, noted the empire’s vast maritime reach. He claimed the prince had how many ports, each equal to Calicut?

Q.13) Firuz Shah Bahmani (1397–1422) was renowned for his linguistic abilities and would converse with his wives in their native tongues. According to Ferishta, which three regional Indian languages was he well versed in?

Q.14) Which Bahmani ruler avenged a previous defeat by invading Warangal, killing its ruler, annexing its territories, and subsequently shifting the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar?

Q.15) Mahmud Gawan was an Iranian by birth who started as a trader before dominating Bahmani affairs as prime minister. What title was he initially granted by the sultan?

Q.16) Under Mahmud Gawan’s administrative reforms, the Bahmani kingdom was divided into eight provinces (tarafs). To maintain a contingent of 500 horses, what was the fixed annual salary for a noble?

Q.17) During the reign of Krishna Deva Raya, the rising power of the Portuguese sought economic concessions. They offered to buy his neutrality by promising him a monopoly in the supply of horses and assistance in recovering which port from Bijapur?

Q.18) In 1520, Krishna Deva Raya completely defeated the Bijapur ruler in a major battle, pushing him across the river Krishna to recover which two contested territories?

Q.19) Which Italian traveler at Krishna Deva Raya’s court described him as “a great ruler and a man of much justice, but subject to sudden fits of rage”?

Q.20) The devastating Battle of Bannihatti in 1565, which resulted in the execution of Rama Raja and the ruin of Vijayanagara, is also known by what other name?

Q.21) In the Vijayanagara administrative hierarchy, the province was called rajya or mandalam, and the district was called nadu. What was the sub-district called?

Q.22) According to a Vijayanagara inscription, what was the specific tax rate levied on the winter crop of kuruvai (a type of rice)?

Q.23) The European search for a direct sea route to India in the 15th century was heavily driven by the desire to bypass the virtual monopoly over the pepper trade established by which power?

Q.24) In 1453, the Pope issued a Bull granting Portugal lands “discovered” beyond which African cape, on the condition of converting the peoples to Christianity?

Q.25) Which Portuguese navigator successfully rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, laying the basis for direct trade links between Europe and India?

Q.26) In 1509, the Portuguese navy routed a combined fleet of the Egyptian sultan and the ruler of Gujarat, establishing supremacy in the Indian Ocean. This battle avenged the death of the son of which Portuguese governor?

Q.27) Which Portuguese governor initiated the policy of dominating oriental commerce by capturing Goa from Bijapur in 1510 and establishing it as the principal center of Portuguese activity?

Q.28) In 1531, a Portuguese attack on Daman and Diu was successfully repulsed by an Ottoman commander who later earned a great name as a master-gunner. Who was he?

Q.29) The ruler of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, granted the island of Bassein to the Portuguese to secure an alliance against the impending invasion by which Mughal emperor?

Q.30) The prolonged naval threat from the Turks to the Portuguese in the Indian Ocean finally subsided in 1566 when the Ottomans and the Portuguese came to an agreement to do what?

📌 Quick Summary — Medieval History Set 16

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Q.1) Before founding the Vijayanagara kingdom, Harihara and Bukka were imprisoned, converted to Islam, and appointed to deal with rebellions when Muhammad Tughlaq overran which kingdom?

Q.2) The young Vijayanagara kingdom expanded rapidly in its early years. By which year had the entire Hoysala kingdom passed into the hands of the Vijayanagara rulers?

Q.3) Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah founded the Bahmani kingdom in 1347. While he claimed descent from a half-mythical Iranian hero, a popular legend by Ferishta states that the title “Bahman Shah” was actually a tribute to his:

Q.4) The Tungabhadra doab was a heavily contested, wealthy region located between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. According to the text, what was the approximate size of this region?

Q.5) In 1367, Bukka I assaulted the fortress of Mudkal and slaughtered the entire garrison except for one man. Enraged by this, the Bahmani sultan vowed not to sheath his sword until he had slaughtered how many Hindus in revenge?

Q.6) The 1367 battle between the Bahmani sultan and the Vijayanagara king over the Tungabhadra doab is historically significant because it marked the first recorded use in this region of:

Q.7) Under Harihara II (1377–1404), the Vijayanagara empire expanded considerably. What was considered his greatest military success against the Bahmani kingdom?

Q.8) Following a defeat by Firuz Shah Bahmani, Deva Raya I had to pay a massive indemnity and marry his daughter to the sultan. To obviate future disputes, which territory did he cede in dowry?

Q.9) Deva Raya I constructed a dam across the Tungabhadra to bring canals into the city. According to the text, by how much did these canals increase his state revenues?

Q.10) To strengthen his military against the Bahmanids, Deva Raya II enlisted 2,000 Muslim cavalrymen and assembled a massive force. According to Ferishta, how many Hindus well skilled in archery were part of this force?

Q.11) The sixteenth-century Portuguese writer Nuniz recorded that kings of Quilon, Sri Lanka, Pulicat, Pegu, and which other Southeast Asian location paid tribute to Deva Raya II?

Q.12) The Persian traveler Abdur Razzaq, who visited Vijayanagara under Deva Raya II, noted the empire’s vast maritime reach. He claimed the prince had how many ports, each equal to Calicut?

Q.13) Firuz Shah Bahmani (1397–1422) was renowned for his linguistic abilities and would converse with his wives in their native tongues. According to Ferishta, which three regional Indian languages was he well versed in?

Q.14) Which Bahmani ruler avenged a previous defeat by invading Warangal, killing its ruler, annexing its territories, and subsequently shifting the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar?

Q.15) Mahmud Gawan was an Iranian by birth who started as a trader before dominating Bahmani affairs as prime minister. What title was he initially granted by the sultan?

Q.16) Under Mahmud Gawan’s administrative reforms, the Bahmani kingdom was divided into eight provinces (tarafs). To maintain a contingent of 500 horses, what was the fixed annual salary for a noble?

Q.17) During the reign of Krishna Deva Raya, the rising power of the Portuguese sought economic concessions. They offered to buy his neutrality by promising him a monopoly in the supply of horses and assistance in recovering which port from Bijapur?

Q.18) In 1520, Krishna Deva Raya completely defeated the Bijapur ruler in a major battle, pushing him across the river Krishna to recover which two contested territories?

Q.19) Which Italian traveler at Krishna Deva Raya’s court described him as “a great ruler and a man of much justice, but subject to sudden fits of rage”?

Q.20) The devastating Battle of Bannihatti in 1565, which resulted in the execution of Rama Raja and the ruin of Vijayanagara, is also known by what other name?

Q.21) In the Vijayanagara administrative hierarchy, the province was called rajya or mandalam, and the district was called nadu. What was the sub-district called?

Q.22) According to a Vijayanagara inscription, what was the specific tax rate levied on the winter crop of kuruvai (a type of rice)?

Q.23) The European search for a direct sea route to India in the 15th century was heavily driven by the desire to bypass the virtual monopoly over the pepper trade established by which power?

Q.24) In 1453, the Pope issued a Bull granting Portugal lands “discovered” beyond which African cape, on the condition of converting the peoples to Christianity?

Q.25) Which Portuguese navigator successfully rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, laying the basis for direct trade links between Europe and India?

Q.26) In 1509, the Portuguese navy routed a combined fleet of the Egyptian sultan and the ruler of Gujarat, establishing supremacy in the Indian Ocean. This battle avenged the death of the son of which Portuguese governor?

Q.27) Which Portuguese governor initiated the policy of dominating oriental commerce by capturing Goa from Bijapur in 1510 and establishing it as the principal center of Portuguese activity?

Q.28) In 1531, a Portuguese attack on Daman and Diu was successfully repulsed by an Ottoman commander who later earned a great name as a master-gunner. Who was he?

Q.29) The ruler of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, granted the island of Bassein to the Portuguese to secure an alliance against the impending invasion by which Mughal emperor?

Q.30) The prolonged naval threat from the Turks to the Portuguese in the Indian Ocean finally subsided in 1566 when the Ottomans and the Portuguese came to an agreement to do what?

📌 Quick Summary — Medieval History Set 16

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