Fernao Nuniz
Also called: Nuniz · Topic: Vijayanagara and the Deccan · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 3 "An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara"
Meaning
Fernao Nuniz was a Portuguese visitor to Vijayanagara in the 16th century. He was a horse trader who stayed in the city in the c. 1530s and wrote a chronicle (a history in order of events) of its kings. Along with Barbosa and Paes, he is one of the three main Portuguese writers on Vijayanagara. Historians use his account to picture daily life and trade in the capital, which he called "Bisnaga".
Example
Nuniz described the markets of Bisnaga as "overflowing with abundance of fruits" and every kind of meat. The meat on sale even included "rats and cats and lizards". His account shows how well supplied the city was in the 16th century.
Don't confuse with
- Domingo Paes: Paes was another Portuguese visitor, from Krishnadeva Raya's time. He said the city seemed "as large as Rome" and called it "the best-provided city in the world". He also described the king's looks and the "House of Victory".