UPSC Prelims 2024 Question:

Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal?

Explanation:

• Long before the modern era of resort politics, in what was the Golden Age of Karnataka, horse-trading, in its literal sense, used to be a noble profession.
  
  
• In the vast Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1565 AD) that stretched around Hampi from coast to coast there was no port more important than Bhatkal.
  
  
• Located by the Arabian Sea, merchants from across the world came here to sell their wares, especially horses from Arabia and weapons in exchange for sugar, pepper, spices and fine white rice. 
  
  
• Many of Bhatkal’s temples and Jain basadis were built during this period of prosperity. 
  
• Emperor Krishnadevaraya allowed the Portuguese to build a fort here in 1510, but little of it survives today.
  
  

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: History| Prehistoric Era