In a London museum, a visitor stops before a copy of an oil painting dated to about 1825. It shows Colin Mackenzie, a surveyor of the English East India Company, with three Indian helpers, one of them holding a telescope. A panel beside it explains that the empire Mackenzie studied ruled much of the south for over two centuries. Its kings fought neighbouring powers on their northern frontier, and they left inscriptions and temples across the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab. The visitor wants to learn more about this empire and the people who recorded its story.
What were the kings of this empire and their northern rivals competing to control?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Fertile river valleys and the resources of lucrative overseas trade
Option (1) Sacred temple towns and the gifts brought by pilgrims — Incorrect. Temple towns were important to these rulers, but they were not what the frontier wars were fought over.
Option (2) Fertile river valleys and the resources of lucrative overseas trade — Correct. The rivals fought for fertile river valleys and the resources from lucrative overseas trade. Rich farmland and trade income paid for armies and courts.
Option (3) Forest tracts and the supply of war elephants — Incorrect. Elephants were used in war, but forest tracts were not the stated prize of this rivalry.
Option (4) Hill forts and the tribute paid by local chiefs — Incorrect. Forts and tribute mattered in local politics, but the contest was over valleys and trade.
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