Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1646) was renowned for its wealth, military power, and cultural patronage.
Because it was a major center of trade and religion in South India, it attracted numerous foreign visitors.
Their travelogues provide vivid descriptions of the capital city (modern-day Hampi), its administration, festivals, and market systems.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Domingo Paes was a Portuguese traveler who visited Vijayanagara around 1520–1522 CE, during the golden age of the empire under Krishnadevaraya.
His account, "Chronica dos Reis de Bisnaga," is one of the most detailed and enthusiastic descriptions of the city.
Paes was particularly impressed by the sheer size of the city, which he compared to Rome.
He described the city as being "the best provided city in the world," noting that every street was full of people and markets.
He observed that there were abundant supplies of rice, wheat, grains, and Indian corn, as well as a variety of fruits and gems.
He also marveled at the military organization, describing the King’s palace and the massive fortifications that guarded the city.
Comparing other travelers:
(A) Nicolo Conti: An Italian who visited in 1420 during Deva Raya I's reign. He gave early details about the city's circumference and the custom of Sati.
(C) Ibn Battuta: A Moroccan who traveled widely in the 14th century. While he visited South India, his primary focus was the Delhi Sultanate under Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
(D) Fernao Nuniz: A Portuguese horse trader who visited in the 1530s. His account is historical and administrative, providing a timeline of the kings and the irrigation systems, but the specific "best provided" quote belongs to Paes.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The Portuguese traveler Domingo Paes is credited with describing Vijayanagara as the "best provided city in the world," reflecting the peak prosperity of the empire under Krishnadevaraya.
Thus, option (B) is the correct answer.