Which empire did Nicolo de Conti, Abdur Razzaq, Afanasy Nikitin and Fernao Nuniz visit? [CDS 2015 (I)]
A. The empire of Kannauj
B. Vijayanagara empire
C. Hoysala empire
D. Rashtrakuta empire
Answer: Vijayanagara empire
Option b is the correct answer.
Nicolo de Conti, Abdur Razzaq, Afanasy Nikitin and Fernao Nuniz were all foreign travellers who visited India in the 15th and 16th centuries and wrote accounts of their observations. They all visited the Vijayanagara empire, which was a powerful Hindu kingdom that ruled over most of South India from 1336 to 1646
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Nicolo de Conti was an Italian merchant who visited India in 1420 and stayed for about four years. He travelled to various parts of India, including the Vijayanagara empire, where he met the king Deva Raya II and described the city of Vijayanagara as large and prosperous.
Abdur Razzaq was a Persian diplomat who visited India in 1443 and stayed for about two years. He met the king Deva Raya II and wrote about the splendour and wealth of the Vijayanagara empire
Afanasy Nikitin was a Russian merchant who visited India in 1469 and stayed for about three years. He travelled to various parts of India, including the Vijayanagara empire, where he witnessed the coronation of Virupaksha Raya II and wrote about the customs and religion of the Hindus.
Fernao Nuniz was a Portuguese traveller who visited India in 1535 and stayed for about three years. He travelled to various parts of India, including the Vijayanagara empire, where he met the king Achyuta Deva Raya and wrote a detailed history of the Vijayanagara empire from its foundation to his time.