UPSC Prelims 2024 Q56: Medieval History – Medieval India
- (a) Krishnadevaraya
- (b) Narasimha Saluva
- (c) Muhammad Shah III
- (d) Yusuf Adil Shah
Answer: (a) Krishnadevaraya
Explanation
Portuguese Fort at Bhatkal - Vijayanagara Connection
Bhatkal is a coastal town in present-day Karnataka on the Arabian Sea.
In the early 16th century, the Vijayanagara Empire controlled this coastline.
Krishnadevaraya (r. 1509-1529) was the most powerful ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire.
He maintained a pragmatic and friendly relationship with the Portuguese.
He granted the Portuguese permission to build a fort at Bhatkal to facilitate trade - especially horse imports (Vijayanagara army relied on Arabian horses imported via Portuguese-controlled ports).
| Option | Ruler | Period | Why Wrong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krishnadevaraya | Vijayanagara | 1509-1529 | CORRECT - gave permission to Portuguese at Bhatkal |
| Narasimha Saluva | Vijayanagara | 1485-1491 | Earlier ruler; Portuguese had not established major Indian presence yet |
| Muhammad Shah III | Bahmani Sultanate | ruled Deccan | Bahmani Sultanate was rival to Vijayanagara, not a Portuguese ally |
| Yusuf Adil Shah | Bijapur Sultanate | ruled Goa area | He LOST Goa to the Portuguese (1510) - he would not grant them another fort |
Answer: (a) Krishnadevaraya.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire gave the Portuguese permission to build a fort at Bhatkal. He maintained strategic trade relations with the Portuguese, especially for horse imports vital to his military.
- (b) Incorrect. Narasimha Saluva ruled before Portuguese had significant coastal presence in India. Portuguese arrived in India in 1498 (Vasco da Gama) and established major trade presence after 1510.
- (c) Incorrect. Muhammad Shah III was a Bahmani sultan - rival to the Vijayanagara Empire. The fort at Bhatkal was granted by the Vijayanagara ruler who controlled that coastal region.
- (d) Incorrect. Yusuf Adil Shah of Bijapur LOST Goa to the Portuguese in 1510 under Albuquerque. He would not have granted the Portuguese another fort after losing territory to them.
Key point
Krishnadevaraya (Vijayanagara) gave Portuguese permission for fort at Bhatkal. Strategic reason: Vijayanagara needed Portuguese trade routes for horse imports. Portuguese needed Vijayanagara as ally against Bijapur and Bahmani Sultans.
Remember
Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire gave the Portuguese permission to build a fort at Bhatkal, driven by strategic horse-trade interests.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Yusuf Adil Shah with a Portuguese ally - he was the ruler who LOST Goa to the Portuguese, making him their enemy, not the one granting them new forts.
- Not knowing that Bhatkal was under Vijayanagara control - it was a key port for the Vijayanagara Empire on the Konkan/Karnataka coast.
- Forgetting the Vijayanagara-Portuguese alliance rationale - horse trade was essential for Vijayanagara military power, and Portuguese controlled the Arabian Sea trade routes.
Exam tip
Vijayanagara + Portuguese = ALLIES (against common Deccan Sultanate enemies + horse trade). Bijapur/Bahmani + Portuguese = ENEMIES. Krishnadevaraya is the key Vijayanagara ruler for Portuguese-India questions in UPSC.
Sources
- NCERT Class 7 History - Chapter 3: The Vijayanagara Empire
- NCERT Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History Part II