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Q51 (IAS/2017) History & Culture › Medieval India › Medieval Indian economy Official Key

Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom ?

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is option B, Motupalli.

Motupalle, also known as Desyuyyakonda-pattana and Velangara, was an important seaport in the time of Ganapati[2], a Kakatiya ruler. This king issued an abhaya-sasana in Saka 1166, corresponding to A.D. 1244, offering protection to foreigners at this port[1], demonstrating its significance for international trade. The Venetian traveller Marco Polo calls the Kakatiya kingdom, Mutfile, i.e. Motupalle, which according to him was reputed for its large-size diamonds and muslins 'as fine as the tissue of spider's web'[3]. This international recognition by Marco Polo and the royal decree protecting foreign merchants clearly establish Motupalli as a very important seaport of the Kakatiya kingdom. While Nelluru is mentioned in the sources as a district headquarters, there is no indication of it being a major seaport during the Kakatiya period.

Sources
  1. [1] https://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/images/epigraphia/Vol-II.pdf
  2. [2] https://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/images/epigraphia/Vol-II.pdf
  3. [3] https://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/images/epigraphia/Vol-II.pdf
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Q. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom ? [A] Kakinada [B] Motupalli [C] Machilipatnam (Masuli…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 7.5/10

This question bridges Medieval History and Regional Culture (Telangana). While standard NCERTs were silent, the 'Mission Kakatiya' government scheme (2014–17) made Kakatiya geography hot current affairs. It tests Economic History (Trade & Ports) rather than political chronology.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Was Kakinada a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 1/5
"Motupalle, also known as Desyuyyakonda-pattana and Velangara, was an important seaport in the time of Ganapati. This king issued an abhaya-sasana in Saka 1166, corresponding to A.D. 1244, offering protection to foreigners at this port."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states which port was important in the Kakatiya period: 'Motupalle ... was an important seaport in the time of Ganapati.'
  • Describes trade-related royal action at that port (an abhaya-sasana offering protection to foreigners), reinforcing Motupalle's prominence rather than naming Kakinada.
  • Does not mention Kakinada as an important Kakatiya seaport, implying the key medieval port was Motupalle.
Web source
Presence: 1/5
"The Venetian traveller Marco Polo calls the Kakatiya kingdom, Mutfile, i.e. Motupalle, which according to him was reputed for its large-size diamonds and muslins ‘as fine as the tissue of spider`s web’."
Why this source?
  • Notes contemporary and foreign recognition of Motupalle's prominence: 'The Venetian traveller Marco Polo calls the Kakatiya kingdom, Mutfile, i.e. Motupalle...'.
  • Praises goods associated with Motupalle (diamonds, muslins), indicating its importance for trade in the Kakatiya period rather than Kakinada.
  • No reference to Kakinada as a significant Kakatiya seaport is present in the passage.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Ports > p. 21
Strength: 4/5
“Vishakhapatnam: Developed in 1933, it has the best natural harbour in the country. It has a huge hinterland in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. Vishakhapatnam port ranked first in India for the last six years in respect of cargo traffic. Its main imports are petroleum, fertilisers, chemicals, machinery, and metals, while iron-ore, manganese ore, leather goods, timber, and food-grains are the main items of exports. Some of the intermediate and minor seaports include Bhimunipatnam, Cuddalore, Kakinada, Kalingapatnam, Machlipatnam. Nagappattinam, and Tuticorin along the eastern coast, and Alappuzha, Calicut, Daman, Kollam, Karwar, Kozhikode, Murad, Porbandar, Tellicherry, Veraval along the west coast of India (Fig.”
Why relevant

Lists Kakinada among intermediate and minor seaports on the eastern coast (modern description), giving a data point about its maritime role.

How to extend

A student could combine this modern classification with a map and historical sources to check continuity of port importance from medieval to modern times for Kakinada.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Origin and Expansion > p. 180
Strength: 4/5
“The three big states of the thirteenth century, the Pandyas in Tamil Nadu, the Hoysalas in Karnataka and the Kakatiyas in Andhra had almost been destroyed by the military expeditions of the Delhi Sultanate in the first three decades of the fourteenth century, leaving a big political turbulent political situation vacuum. Within the first four decades, the small principality became a big kingdom through the military activities of the five brothers in different directions. First, the entire core area of the Hoysala kingdom in Karnataka was incorporated into Vijayanagar. The coastal parts of Karnataka were soon taken over and remained an important part of the kingdom until the end.”
Why relevant

States the Kakatiyas were the major power in Andhra in the 13th century, implying they controlled coastal Andhra where Kakinada is located.

How to extend

Use the geographic fact that Kakinada lies in coastal Andhra to infer it was within Kakatiya sphere and then look for specific medieval port records or archaeology.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Trade > p. 125
Strength: 3/5
“Kanchipuram was an important trading centre in the Pallava period. The merchants had to obtain license to market their goods. Barter system generally prevailed but later the Pallavas issued gold and silver coins. Merchants had their own organizations such as Manigramam. In foreign trade, spices, cotton textiles, precious stones and medicinal plants were exported to Java, Sumatra, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China and Burma (Myanmar). Mamallapuram was an important seaport. Traders founded guilds and called themselves as sudesi, nanadesi, ainurruvar and others. Their main guild functioned at Aihole. Foreign merchants were known as Nanadesi. It had a separate flag with the figure of bull at the centre, and they enjoyed the right of issuing virasasanas.”
Why relevant

Gives a general pattern that South Indian kingdoms (e.g., Pallavas) had important seaports and active foreign trade networks.

How to extend

Apply this general pattern to the Kakatiya context: if coastal Andhra participated similarly in maritime trade, Kakinada might have been significant—so check trade-route maps and medieval guild/inscriptional evidence for Kakinada.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Nayak System > p. 183
Strength: 3/5
“The term Nayak is used from thirteenth century onwards in Telugu and Kannada areas in the sense of a military leader or simply soldier. Assigning the revenue of a particular locality to the Nayak for their military service is found in the Kakatiya kingdom during the thirteenth century. This is similar to the iqta system practiced by the Delhi Sultanate at that time. Nuniz says that the Vijayanagar kingdom at that time was divided between more than two hundred captains (his translation for Nayak) and they were compelled in turn to keep certain number of military forces (horses and foot soldiers) to serve the king in times of need: they were also required to pay certain amount of the revenue to the king in particular times of a year, like during the nine-day Mahanavami festival Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms Ÿ”
Why relevant

Describes Kakatiya administrative/military structures (assignment of revenue/local control to Nayaks), indicating the kingdom exercised local governance that could include coastal ports.

How to extend

A student could use this to look for inscriptions or revenue records naming Kakinada as a port under Kakatiya administrators.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 18: Early Resistance to British Rule > Origin of Palayams and Palayakkarars > p. 282
Strength: 2/5
“After the decline of Vijayanagara Empire, Nagama Nayak who arrived as a viceroy to Madurai and his son Viswanatha Nayak asserted themselves as independent rulers of Madurai and Tirunelveli. Under the able guidance of prime minister Ariyanatha Mudaliyar, all the little kingdoms of the former Pandian Empire were classified and converted into 72 palayams. Viswanatha Nayak constructed a formidable fort around Madurai city, which consisted of seventy two bastions. The origin of the Palayakkarar (poligari) system dates back to the 1530s. It is believed that this system was practiced earlier in Kakatiya kingdom of Warangal. The literal meaning of Palayakkarar is the holder of a camp as well as the holder of an estate on military tenure.”
Why relevant

Notes that certain administrative/military systems (palayakkarar-like) were practiced earlier in the Kakatiya kingdom, suggesting organized local control which often accompanies management of ports.

How to extend

Combine this with knowledge of medieval port administration to search for evidence of Kakinada being managed or fortified in Kakatiya-period records.

Statement 2
Was Motupalli a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Motupalle, also known as Desyuyyakonda-pattana and Velangara, was an important seaport in the time of Ganapati. This king issued an abhaya-sasana in Saka 1166, corresponding to A.D. 1244, offering protection to foreigners at this port."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names Motupalle (Motupalli) as an important seaport in the time of Ganapati (a Kakatiya ruler).
  • Describes a royal trade edict (abhaya-sasana) offering protection to foreigners at this port, indicating its commercial significance.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The Venetian traveller Marco Polo calls the Kakatiya kingdom, Mutfile, i.e. Motupalle, which according to him was reputed for its large-size diamonds and muslins ‘as fine as the tissue of spider`s web’."
Why this source?
  • Records that the Venetian traveller Marco Polo identified the Kakatiya kingdom with Motupalle (Mutfile), indicating foreign recognition of the port.
  • Notes Motupalle's reputation for valuable trade goods (large diamonds and very fine muslins), supporting its importance as a trading port.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Origin and Expansion > p. 180
Strength: 4/5
“The three big states of the thirteenth century, the Pandyas in Tamil Nadu, the Hoysalas in Karnataka and the Kakatiyas in Andhra had almost been destroyed by the military expeditions of the Delhi Sultanate in the first three decades of the fourteenth century, leaving a big political turbulent political situation vacuum. Within the first four decades, the small principality became a big kingdom through the military activities of the five brothers in different directions. First, the entire core area of the Hoysala kingdom in Karnataka was incorporated into Vijayanagar. The coastal parts of Karnataka were soon taken over and remained an important part of the kingdom until the end.”
Why relevant

Identifies the Kakatiyas as the medieval Andhra power with coastal territory, implying they had coastal ports under their control.

How to extend

A student could locate Motupalli on an Andhra coastal map and check if it falls within the Kakatiya core/coastal zone to judge its potential importance.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Trade > p. 125
Strength: 4/5
“Kanchipuram was an important trading centre in the Pallava period. The merchants had to obtain license to market their goods. Barter system generally prevailed but later the Pallavas issued gold and silver coins. Merchants had their own organizations such as Manigramam. In foreign trade, spices, cotton textiles, precious stones and medicinal plants were exported to Java, Sumatra, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China and Burma (Myanmar). Mamallapuram was an important seaport. Traders founded guilds and called themselves as sudesi, nanadesi, ainurruvar and others. Their main guild functioned at Aihole. Foreign merchants were known as Nanadesi. It had a separate flag with the figure of bull at the centre, and they enjoyed the right of issuing virasasanas.”
Why relevant

Describes South Indian maritime trade (exports to SE Asia, existence of important seaports like Mamallapuram) showing that regional kingdoms maintained significant ports for overseas trade.

How to extend

If Motupalli is on the Andhra coast, one could infer it might have functioned similarly for the Kakatiyas in regional and foreign trade networks.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Ports > p. 21
Strength: 4/5
“Vishakhapatnam: Developed in 1933, it has the best natural harbour in the country. It has a huge hinterland in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. Vishakhapatnam port ranked first in India for the last six years in respect of cargo traffic. Its main imports are petroleum, fertilisers, chemicals, machinery, and metals, while iron-ore, manganese ore, leather goods, timber, and food-grains are the main items of exports. Some of the intermediate and minor seaports include Bhimunipatnam, Cuddalore, Kakinada, Kalingapatnam, Machlipatnam. Nagappattinam, and Tuticorin along the eastern coast, and Alappuzha, Calicut, Daman, Kollam, Karwar, Kozhikode, Murad, Porbandar, Tellicherry, Veraval along the west coast of India (Fig.”
Why relevant

Lists intermediate/minor ports on the eastern coast (Kakinada, Machilipatnam) indicating multiple functioning ports in Andhra coastal region.

How to extend

Compare Motupalli's location to these named ports and known trade routes to assess whether Motupalli could have been of comparable importance.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Ports > p. 20
Strength: 3/5
“The port has a large hinterland which covers the seven states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, north-east India, Odisha, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The export and import of Bhutan and Nepal is also done through Kolkata port. The main exports of the port include bones, bone-meal, bunker-oil, electric goods, iron and steel, jute products, lac, leather goods, machinery, mica, scrap, tea, and timber. The main imports include edibleoils, fertilisers, machinery, railway equipments, and petroleum. South of Kolkata river port, Haldia seaport has been developed along the coast of Bay of Bengal to accomodate modern larger ships.• 7. Marmagao: Situated at the entrance of the Zuvari-estuary in Goa, it is the leading iron-ore exporting seaport of the country.”
Why relevant

Explains that eastern ports served large hinterlands and handled significant exports/imports, demonstrating the strategic economic role of Bay of Bengal ports.

How to extend

A student could check whether Motupalli had access to a substantial hinterland or produced/exported goods listed here to support claims of importance.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Nayak System > p. 183
Strength: 3/5
“The term Nayak is used from thirteenth century onwards in Telugu and Kannada areas in the sense of a military leader or simply soldier. Assigning the revenue of a particular locality to the Nayak for their military service is found in the Kakatiya kingdom during the thirteenth century. This is similar to the iqta system practiced by the Delhi Sultanate at that time. Nuniz says that the Vijayanagar kingdom at that time was divided between more than two hundred captains (his translation for Nayak) and they were compelled in turn to keep certain number of military forces (horses and foot soldiers) to serve the king in times of need: they were also required to pay certain amount of the revenue to the king in particular times of a year, like during the nine-day Mahanavami festival Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms Ÿ”
Why relevant

Notes Kakatiya administrative/military organization (assignment of local revenues to leaders), implying the kingdom managed coastal revenues and localities.

How to extend

Investigate whether Motupalli appears in records of revenue grants or naval/military assignments within the Kakatiya administrative system to infer its prominence.

Statement 3
Was Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam) a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Ports > p. 21
Strength: 4/5
“Vishakhapatnam: Developed in 1933, it has the best natural harbour in the country. It has a huge hinterland in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. Vishakhapatnam port ranked first in India for the last six years in respect of cargo traffic. Its main imports are petroleum, fertilisers, chemicals, machinery, and metals, while iron-ore, manganese ore, leather goods, timber, and food-grains are the main items of exports. Some of the intermediate and minor seaports include Bhimunipatnam, Cuddalore, Kakinada, Kalingapatnam, Machlipatnam. Nagappattinam, and Tuticorin along the eastern coast, and Alappuzha, Calicut, Daman, Kollam, Karwar, Kozhikode, Murad, Porbandar, Tellicherry, Veraval along the west coast of India (Fig.”
Why relevant

Lists Machilipatnam among intermediate/minor seaports on the east coast, showing it was an established coastal trading port.

How to extend

A student could combine this list with a map of medieval Andhra to see if Machilipatnam lay within or near Kakatiya-controlled territory, suggesting potential Kakatiya use.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: The Colonial Era in India > The Dutch: commerce and competition > p. 89
Strength: 4/5
“The Dutch arrived in India in the early 17th century and, unlike the Portuguese, focused primarily on commercial dominance, particularly in the spice trade. They established a Dutch East India Company, with trading posts in various parts of India, including, on the west coast, Surat, Bharuch, Cochin (Kochi), and on the east coast Nagapattinam and Masulipatnam (presentday Machilipatnam). Their most significant presence was in the Malabar region of Kerala, where they displaced the Portuguese from several trading centres.”
Why relevant

States the Dutch had a trading post at Masulipatnam (Machilipatnam), indicating the port's continued commercial importance into the early modern period.

How to extend

Compare the port's documented early‑modern importance with medieval trade routes and Kakatiya coastal influence to infer whether it was likely significant earlier.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 4: India on the Eve of British Conquest > Trade and Industry > p. 76
Strength: 4/5
“Masulipatnam, Aurangabad, Chicacole, Vishakhapatnam, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai, etc.; Kashmir was a centre of woollen manufactures. Ship-building Industry Maharashtra, the Andhra region and Bengal were the leaders in ship-building. Indian shipping also flourished on the Kerala coast at Calicut and Quilon. The Zamorin of Calicut used the Muslim Kunjali Maraikkars (who were well known for their seafaring ability) for his navy. Shivaji Bhonsle's navy put up a good defence on the west coast against the Portuguese. According to Bipan Chandra, the European companies bought many Indian-made ships for their use.”
Why relevant

Names Masulipatnam among important commercial/shipbuilding centres in the Andhra region, implying regional maritime activity centred there.

How to extend

Use this pattern (Andhra having major shipbuilding/ports) plus the geographic location of Kakatiya domains to assess plausibility that Kakatiyas used Machilipatnam as a key port.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > 9.2Pallavas > p. 122
Strength: 3/5
“PALLAVA TERRITORIES Pallava Territories Mahanadi Godavan Krishna Bijapur Arabian Bay of Masulipatnam Sea Bengal Sira PALLAVA ANCHI Vellone Andamarfand Nicobal akshad (India) Calicut (India) PANDIYA Madural Quilor Map not to scale Indian Ocean ۸ with some mixture of north Indian blood The Pallavas were associated with Tondaimandalam, the land between the north Pennar and north Vellar rivers. Simhavishnu is believed to have conquered the Chola country up to the Kaveri and consolidated his dynastic rule, started by his father Simhavarman. Simhavishnu, vanquishing the Kalabhras, conquered the land up to the Kaveri, thereby coming into conflict with the Pandyas. During Mahendravarman's reign, the army of Pulikesin II annexed the northern part of Pallava kingdom and almost reached the Pallava capital of Kanchipuram.”
Why relevant

Map text references the 'Bay of Masulipatnam' in the context of Pallava territories, showing the place-name and bay were known in earlier medieval maps.

How to extend

Locate that bay relative to later medieval polities (like the Kakatiyas) on historical maps to judge if the port lay inside Kakatiya maritime reach.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Trade > p. 125
Strength: 2/5
“Kanchipuram was an important trading centre in the Pallava period. The merchants had to obtain license to market their goods. Barter system generally prevailed but later the Pallavas issued gold and silver coins. Merchants had their own organizations such as Manigramam. In foreign trade, spices, cotton textiles, precious stones and medicinal plants were exported to Java, Sumatra, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China and Burma (Myanmar). Mamallapuram was an important seaport. Traders founded guilds and called themselves as sudesi, nanadesi, ainurruvar and others. Their main guild functioned at Aihole. Foreign merchants were known as Nanadesi. It had a separate flag with the figure of bull at the centre, and they enjoyed the right of issuing virasasanas.”
Why relevant

Although focused on Pallava seaports, it illustrates a pattern that south Indian dynasties maintained recognized seaports and organized trade—suggesting continuity of coastal trading hubs over time.

How to extend

Apply this general pattern to the Andhra coast: if Pallavas and later Europeans used ports there, a student might infer continuity making Machilipatnam a plausible Kakatiya-era port to investigate further.

Statement 4
Was Nelluru a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Nelluru identical with the district headquarters of the same name ... Motupalle, also known as Desyuyyakonda-pattana and Velangara, was an important seaport in the time of Ganapati. This king issued an abhaya-sasana in Saka 1166, corresponding to A.D. 1244, offering protection to foreigners at this port."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly identifies Motupalle as an important seaport in the time of Ganapati (Kakatiya ruler).
  • Mentions Nelluru only as a district headquarter/place name, not as a seaport.
  • Describes a trade edict and protections issued at Motupalle, indicating its commercial importance.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The Venetian traveller Marco Polo calls the Kakatiya kingdom, Mutfile, i.e. Motupalle, which according to him was reputed for its large-size diamonds and muslins ‘as fine as the tissue of spider`s web’. ... Bayyana and Tikkana who burnt Nellore together with those of their allies,"
Why this source?
  • Records Marco Polo's identification of the Kakatiya region with Motupalle, noting its reputation for valuable trade goods (implying Motupalle's prominence).
  • Mentions events (e.g., burning of Nellore) without describing Nellore as a major port, supporting that Motupalle—not Nelluru—was the noted seaport.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Origin and Expansion > p. 180
Strength: 4/5
“The three big states of the thirteenth century, the Pandyas in Tamil Nadu, the Hoysalas in Karnataka and the Kakatiyas in Andhra had almost been destroyed by the military expeditions of the Delhi Sultanate in the first three decades of the fourteenth century, leaving a big political turbulent political situation vacuum. Within the first four decades, the small principality became a big kingdom through the military activities of the five brothers in different directions. First, the entire core area of the Hoysala kingdom in Karnataka was incorporated into Vijayanagar. The coastal parts of Karnataka were soon taken over and remained an important part of the kingdom until the end.”
Why relevant

Identifies the Kakatiyas as the major power in Andhra in the 13th–14th centuries, implying they controlled coastal Andhra where seaports would lie.

How to extend

Locate Nelluru/Nellore on a map of coastal Andhra and check if it fell within Kakatiya-controlled territory to assess plausibility of being a Kakatiya seaport.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Ports > p. 21
Strength: 4/5
“Vishakhapatnam: Developed in 1933, it has the best natural harbour in the country. It has a huge hinterland in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. Vishakhapatnam port ranked first in India for the last six years in respect of cargo traffic. Its main imports are petroleum, fertilisers, chemicals, machinery, and metals, while iron-ore, manganese ore, leather goods, timber, and food-grains are the main items of exports. Some of the intermediate and minor seaports include Bhimunipatnam, Cuddalore, Kakinada, Kalingapatnam, Machlipatnam. Nagappattinam, and Tuticorin along the eastern coast, and Alappuzha, Calicut, Daman, Kollam, Karwar, Kozhikode, Murad, Porbandar, Tellicherry, Veraval along the west coast of India (Fig.”
Why relevant

Lists intermediate/minor eastern ports in Andhra such as Machilipatnam, Kakinada, Kalingapatnam, showing the region had multiple active ports.

How to extend

Compare Nelluru/Nellore's geographic position with these named ports and historical port networks to judge whether Nelluru fits the pattern of active coastal trade centres.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Trade > p. 125
Strength: 4/5
“Kanchipuram was an important trading centre in the Pallava period. The merchants had to obtain license to market their goods. Barter system generally prevailed but later the Pallavas issued gold and silver coins. Merchants had their own organizations such as Manigramam. In foreign trade, spices, cotton textiles, precious stones and medicinal plants were exported to Java, Sumatra, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China and Burma (Myanmar). Mamallapuram was an important seaport. Traders founded guilds and called themselves as sudesi, nanadesi, ainurruvar and others. Their main guild functioned at Aihole. Foreign merchants were known as Nanadesi. It had a separate flag with the figure of bull at the centre, and they enjoyed the right of issuing virasasanas.”
Why relevant

Describes South Indian maritime trade patterns (exports, guilds, and important seaports like Mamallapuram), providing a model of how ports functioned and were ranked.

How to extend

Use this model (exports, merchant guild presence, foreign trade links) to check if historical records of Nelluru show similar trading activity to qualify as a 'very important' seaport.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > IV. Answer the following in detail > p. 134
Strength: 3/5
“• 1. Highlight the importance of land grants issued by the Pallava kings. • 2. Discuss the maritime activity in Pallava kingdom. • 3. Describe the architectural excellence of shore temples at Mamallapuram.”
Why relevant

Explicitly highlights 'maritime activity' as a topic of importance in regional histories, indicating that coastal cities are assessed by documented maritime roles.

How to extend

Search for documentary or archaeological evidence of maritime activity (harbour structures, ship-related finds, foreign contacts) at Nelluru/Nellore to evaluate its importance.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Nayak System > p. 183
Strength: 3/5
“The term Nayak is used from thirteenth century onwards in Telugu and Kannada areas in the sense of a military leader or simply soldier. Assigning the revenue of a particular locality to the Nayak for their military service is found in the Kakatiya kingdom during the thirteenth century. This is similar to the iqta system practiced by the Delhi Sultanate at that time. Nuniz says that the Vijayanagar kingdom at that time was divided between more than two hundred captains (his translation for Nayak) and they were compelled in turn to keep certain number of military forces (horses and foot soldiers) to serve the king in times of need: they were also required to pay certain amount of the revenue to the king in particular times of a year, like during the nine-day Mahanavami festival Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms Ÿ”
Why relevant

Explains Kakatiya administrative practices (assignment of revenues/local control), suggesting ways to check if a port town was under Kakatiya administration and economically significant.

How to extend

Look for Kakatiya-era land grants, revenue records, or administrative mentions naming Nelluru to infer its economic/strategic importance to the kingdom.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC is shifting from 'Political History' (Wars/Dates) to 'Economic Geography of History'. Always map the entry/exit points (Ports) and the currency of major empires.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Trap/Current-Affairs Linked History. Not in basic NCERTs. Found in specialized culture notes or news regarding 'Mission Kakatiya' restoration projects.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Economic History of Medieval India > Maritime Trade & Urbanisation > Key Ports of Dynasties.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize Dynasty-Port pairs: Satavahanas (Barygaza/Bharuch, Kalyana), Guptas (Tamralipti), Cholas (Nagapattinam, Kaveripattinam/Puhar), Pandyas (Korkai), Cheras (Muziris/Tondi), Vijayanagara (Bhatkal, Honnavar), Mughals (Surat, Satgaon).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When a dynasty is in the news (e.g., Cholas via PS-1 movie or Kakatiyas via state schemes), do not stop at Kings/Temples. You MUST map their 'Economic Infrastructure'—Ports, Irrigation tanks, and Coinage.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Modern port classification vs. medieval port status
💡 The insight

Reference [1] lists Kakinada as an intermediate/minor seaport in a modern port list, while references [2], [8], [10] discuss the Kakatiya kingdom without linking Kakinada to it—so modern labels cannot be directly projected onto medieval importance.

High-yield for UPSC: avoids anachronistic reasoning when interpreting sources; useful when questions ask about continuity/change in economic geography. Helps connect historical interpretation with source criticism and historiography.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Ports > p. 21
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Origin and Expansion > p. 180
🔗 Anchor: "Was Kakinada a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Criteria determining a port's importance (natural harbour, hinterland, cargo)
💡 The insight

References ([1], [4], [6]) highlight factors used to rate ports today—natural harbour quality, hinterland, and cargo types—which are the kinds of criteria needed to assess a port's importance historically as well.

High-yield: mastering physical and economic criteria for port significance helps answer questions across geography and economic history (e.g., why some ports rose/fell). Enables comparative analysis and source-based evaluation in prelims and mains.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Ports > p. 21
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Ports > p. 19
🔗 Anchor: "Was Kakinada a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Kakatiya polity and territorial control
💡 The insight

References [2], [8], [10] describe the Kakatiya kingdom and its administrative/military practices—necessary background to judge whether coastal ports like Kakinada lay within Kakatiya control and could be important to them.

High-yield: understanding the political geography and administrative systems of medieval South India helps answer polity/economy linkage questions and contextualize maritime trade in mains answers and essays.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Origin and Expansion > p. 180
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Nayak System > p. 183
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 18: Early Resistance to British Rule > Origin of Palayams and Palayakkarars > p. 282
🔗 Anchor: "Was Kakinada a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Kakatiya kingdom — geography and administrative/military structure
💡 The insight

The claim names the Kakatiya polity; several references describe the Kakatiyas' location in Andhra and their administrative/military arrangements.

Understanding where the Kakatiyas ruled (Andhra/Warangal) and their systems (Nayak-like military tenure, palayakkarar/iqta parallels) is high-yield for medieval polity questions. It links to topics on regional power centres, military recruitment and revenue assignments, and helps evaluate claims about coastal control or maritime activity.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Origin and Expansion > p. 180
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 12: Bahmani and Vijayanagar Kingdoms > Nayak System > p. 183
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 18: Early Resistance to British Rule > Origin of Palayams and Palayakkarars > p. 282
🔗 Anchor: "Was Motupalli a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Medieval South Indian seaports and coastal trade hubs
💡 The insight

The question concerns a seaport's importance; references discuss notable medieval/regionally important ports (e.g., Mamallapuram, Machilipatnam) and lists of coastal ports.

Mastering which ports were important in different periods/regions (Tamil, Andhra coast) helps answer source-based questions about maritime trade, foreign contacts and economic significance. This concept connects trade networks, regional geography and polity control of coasts—used often in questions about trade, cultural exchange and economic history.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Trade > p. 125
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Ports > p. 21
🔗 Anchor: "Was Motupalli a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Merchant guilds and maritime trade networks in South India
💡 The insight

Assessing a port's importance requires awareness of merchant organisations and trade routes; references describe guilds and foreign trade destinations in the south.

Knowing merchant guilds (Manigramam, nanadesi, ainurruvar), exported commodities and overseas links is essential for questions on economic history and cultural contacts. This aids evaluation of why specific ports rose in prominence and how they connected to trans‑regional trade.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Trade > p. 125
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > IV. Answer the following in detail > p. 134
🔗 Anchor: "Was Motupalli a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Masulipatnam / Machilipatnam as an east-coast seaport
💡 The insight

Multiple references identify Masulipatnam/Machilipatnam as a named seaport on the eastern coast of India.

High-yield for UPSC: knowing historically significant coastal centres helps answer questions on trade, regional maritime links and economic geography. This concept connects to topics on medieval trade networks and later colonial maritime presence; useful for questions asking continuity/change of port importance across periods.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Ports > p. 21
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: The Colonial Era in India > The Dutch: commerce and competition > p. 89
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 4: India on the Eve of British Conquest > Trade and Industry > p. 76
🔗 Anchor: "Was Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam) a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdo..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Abhaya Sasana' (Charter of Security): An inscription at Motupalli by Kakatiya King Ganapati Deva guaranteeing fixed duties and protection to foreign traders. This is the medieval version of 'Ease of Doing Business'.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Modern vs. Ancient' Filter: Kakinada and Machilipatnam are prominent modern/colonial ports. Nelluru is a district HQ. Motupalli is the only 'obscure' historical name in the list. In Ancient/Medieval questions, if options mix famous modern cities with one obscure archaeological site, the obscure site is usually the answer.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-1 (Culture) & GS-3 (Economy): Use Motupalli's 'Abhaya Sasana' as a historical case study for 'State support to Trade' or 'Ease of Doing Business' in India, contrasting it with the arbitrary cargo seizures common in that era.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

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Which one of the following was an important Pandya port, celebrated for its pearls in Sangam poems and Greek accounts ?

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