Question

This is an excerpt from Domingo Paes’s description of Vijayanagara: The size of this city I do not write here, because it cannot all be seen from any one spot, but I climbed a hill whence I could see a great part of it; I could not see it all because it lies between several ranges of hills. What I saw from thence seemed to me as large as Rome, and very beautiful to the sight; there are many groves of trees within it, in the gardens of the houses, and many conduits of water which flow into the midst of it, and in places there are lakes; and the king has close to his palace a palm-grove and other rich fruit-bearing trees.

1. Would you find these features in a city today?
2. Why do you think the gardens and water bodies were selected for special mention by Paes?

Answer 1

1. • Yes: Modern cities still feature public parks, gardens, water pipelines, and artificial lakes.
   • No: However, we rarely see massive agricultural orchards, palm groves, and farm fields enclosed directly inside a city’s main defensive walls like they were in Vijayanagara. Modern cities are mostly dense concrete zones.
2. • Surprise and Uniqueness: European cities at that time were crowded and stony. Seeing a massive city filled with dense green groves and lakes deeply impressed Paes.
   • Advanced Water Engineering: The complex network of water channels (conduits) running through the city highlighted the brilliant engineering skills of the rulers.
   • Visual Beauty: The lush gardens and water bodies made the urban landscape exceptionally beautiful.
   • Military Strategy: Including fruit-bearing groves and lakes inside the city walls ensured an uninterrupted supply of food and water during long enemy sieges.