UPSC Prelims 2021 Q35: Medieval History – Vijayanagara Empire
- (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
- (c) 2 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
Vijayanagara Women per Portuguese Traveller Nuniz
Fernao Nuniz (Portuguese chronicler, visited Vijayanagara c. 1535-1537) wrote in his chronicle that the women of the Vijayanagara Empire were highly educated and skilled. He specifically mentioned women being experts in:
| Skill | Nuniz Mentions? |
|---|---|
| 1. Wrestling | YES - Women trained in physical arts including wrestling. |
| 2. Astrology | YES - Skilled in reading planetary charts and predictions. |
| 3. Accounting | YES - Women employed in royal treasury as accountants. |
| 4. Soothsaying | YES - Predicting future events via signs. |
All four skills were noted by Nuniz. Answer: (d).
Nuniz also described women in the royal palaces as musicians, dancers, palace guards (Kavalgars), and administrators.
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Nuniz explicitly mentioned soothsaying (4) alongside the other three.
- (b) Incorrect. Astrology (2) is also mentioned.
- (c) Incorrect. Wrestling (1) and Accounting (3) are also mentioned.
- (d) CORRECT. Nuniz's chronicle records Vijayanagara women as expert in all four: wrestling, astrology, accounting and soothsaying. Women also served as palace guards, musicians and administrators.
Key point
Nuniz on Vijayanagara women: expert in wrestling + astrology + accounting + soothsaying. Women also served as palace guards (Kavalgars), musicians, dancers, treasury officials. All four skills confirmed. Vijayanagara had exceptional female participation in courtly life.
Remember
Portuguese writer Fernao Nuniz (c. 1535-37) wrote that Vijayanagara women were expert in all four: wrestling (1), astrology (2), accounting (3) and soothsaying (4). Women also served as palace guards, musicians and treasury officials. Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Nuniz (1535-37) with other Portuguese chroniclers like Domingo Paes (1520-22) and Duarte Barbosa. All wrote on Vijayanagara but different aspects.
- Assuming medieval Indian women had no public role. Vijayanagara was exceptional - female palace guards, accountants, and even scholars.
- Not linking Nuniz with the era of Achyuta Deva Raya (1529-1542) - he wrote during Achyuta's reign, after Krishna Deva Raya (d. 1529).
Exam tip
Vijayanagara sources: Domingo Paes (Krishna Deva Raya era, 1520-22), Fernao Nuniz (Achyuta era, 1535-37), Duarte Barbosa (early 16th c.), Nicolo di Conti (Italian, 15th c.), Abdur Razzaq (Persian, 1443). Nuniz specifically praised women's varied expertise.
Sources
- Robert Sewell - A Forgotten Empire: Vijayanagar (Chronicles of Nuniz and Paes)
- NCERT Themes in Indian History Part II - Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara