HistoryMedieval India: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara

An archaeologist moves along the roads leading into the urban core of…

An archaeologist moves along the roads leading into the urban core of Vijayanagara. Of which kind of evidence does she find relatively little here?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → The houses of ordinary people

Option (1) The houses of ordinary people — Correct. In the urban core there is relatively little archaeological evidence of the houses of ordinary people. Their homes have left few remains.

Option (2) Fine Chinese porcelain — Incorrect. Fine Chinese porcelain has been found here, in the north-eastern corner of the urban core.

Option (3) Tombs and mosques — Incorrect. Tombs and mosques stand in the Muslim residential quarter of the urban core, so they are well known.

Option (4) Pavements of roads — Incorrect. Finds of pavements are one way archaeologists have traced the roads of the city.

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.”