Role of foreign travellers in reconstructing the history of Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdom

Published on 13 Oct 2025

• Record on Architectural Marvel: Niccolò de' Conti provided valuable information about the Vijayanagara capital, Hampi. His accounts shed light on the grandeur of the city, describing it as having "splendid palaces and marketplaces," as well as its thriving trade with China and Southeast Asia.

• Abdur Razzak Samarqandi and Domingo Peas also validated the wealth and grandeur of Hampi in their accounts.

• Record on Nature of King: Conti mentioned how the king was highly revered and surrounded by a court of nobles, ministers, and officials who assisted in the administration of the empire.

• Trade and Commerce: Conti's observations also shed light on the significant maritime trade conducted by the empire with foreign countries, which played a crucial role in its economic prosperity.

• Record on Cultural Elements:  Domingos Paes account fully explains the yearly royal Durga festival.

• Records on Administrative and security Details: Domingos Paes account fully explains the feudal Malankara system of Vijayanagara’s military organisation.

• Writings of Fernao Nunes have brought to light on construction of massive fortification works, watch towers and security walls.

• Records on Agriculture: Paes also records that advanced irrigation technology allowed the kingdom to produce high yields of crops at very reasonable prices, and a wide variety of cultures.

• Detailed record on Bahmani Kingdom

• Razzak mention about the display of wealth and power by Bahmani sultans during Nowruz festival. 

• Razzak notes the religious diversity and tolerance in the Bahmani Sultanate. He observed that Islam was the dominant religion of the Sultanate, but people of different faiths, including Hindus and Jains, lived harmoniously within the kingdom.

• He describes the flourishing literary and artistic scene, with poets, scholars, and artists being patronized by the Sultan and the nobility.

• He mentions the abundance of textiles, spices, and precious stones available in the markets, and the flourishing maritime trade that connected the kingdom to various other regions, including the Persian Gulf.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Role of foreign travellers in reconstructing the history of Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdom foreign travellers Vijayanagara kingdom Bahmani Niccolò de' Conti Italian traveller Abdur Razzak Samarqandi Persian traveller Domingo Paes Portuguese traveller Fernao Nunes Portuguese horse dealer Deva Raya II KDR Krishna Deva raya Achyutaraya Narrative of the Visit of Nicolo Conti to India in the 15th Century The Rise of Two Auspicious Constellations and the Confluence of Two Oceans Matla'us-Sa'dain wa Majma'ul-Bahrain Chronica dos reis de Bisnaga Chronicle of the kings of Vijayanagar Hampi Nowruz festival

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Indian Heritage and Culture