HistoryMedieval India: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara

In the north-eastern corner of the urban core of Vijayanagara, archae…

In the north-eastern corner of the urban core of Vijayanagara, archaeologists found fine Chinese porcelain. What do they suggest about these areas?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → They may have been occupied by rich traders

Option (1) They may have been used as royal storehouses — Incorrect. Royal stores belonged to the royal centre. The porcelain finds lay in the urban core instead.

Option (2) They may have been occupied by rich traders — Correct. Costly imported porcelain points to wealthy owners. So archaeologists suggest these areas may have been occupied by rich traders.

Option (3) They may have been occupied by Portuguese soldiers — Incorrect. The Portuguese came to trade and fight, but the finds are not linked to their soldiers.

Option (4) They may have been occupied by temple priests — Incorrect. Priests lived around the temples of the sacred centre. The costly porcelain points to wealthy traders instead.

NCERT (2026-27): “3.3 The urban core
Moving along the roads leading into the urban core, there is relatively little archaeological evidence of the houses of ordinary people. Archaeologists have found fine Chinese porcelain in some areas, including in the north-eastern corner of the urban core and suggest that these areas may have been occupied by rich traders. This was also the Muslim residential quarter. Tombs and mosques located here have distinctive functions, yet their architecture resembles that of the mandapas found in the temples of Hampi.”