Question map
Domingo Paes, the medieval traveller, has described the city of
Explanation
Domingo Paes was a Portuguese traveler and horse trader who visited the Vijayanagara Empire during the 16th century, specifically around 1520 CE during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya [2]. He left a comprehensive and detailed record of his stay in the capital city, Vijayanagara (modern-day Hampi) [3]. In his accounts, Paes famously compared the scale and grandeur of Vijayanagara to Rome, describing it as a beautiful city filled with groves, gardens, and advanced water conduits [2]. His writings, along with those of other travelers like Duarte Barbosa and Fernao Nuniz, serve as vital primary sources for reconstructing the urban planning, architectural achievements, and social life of the empire [5]. Paes witnessed the city at its peak before its eventual destruction following the Battle of Talikota in 1565 [3].
Sources
- [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > Finding out about the city > p. 176
- [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Reshaping India’s Political Map > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 35
- [3] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > 12.6 Art and Architecture > p. 186
- [5] https://frontline.thehindu.com/arts-and-culture/heritage/article30179818.ece