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Foreign Travelers' Mentions of Karnataka's Dynasties

Ptolemy: In his book "Geography," written in the 2nd century AD, Ptolemy mentions places in Karnataka such as Banavasi, Badami, Kalakeri, and Indi.

Xuanzang: He was a prominent Chinese traveler who visited many parts of India, including Karnataka, during the reign of Pulakeshin II, the Badami Chalukya king. His references to Pulakeshin's relationship with Harsha and his praise for the Kannadiga's strength and virtues are important sources.

Tabari: The Arab writer Tabari mentions the visit of Persian ambassadors to Pulakeshin's court and the diplomatic exchanges between the Chalukyas and the Persians.

Sulaiman: The Arab writer Sulaiman visited India in 851 AD. He stated that the Rashtrakuta empire was one of the four greatest empires of the contemporary world (the other three being Arabia, China, and Rome).

Al-Masudi: Another Arab traveler, Al-Masudi, who came to India in the 10th century, provided details about the Rashtrakutas and their capital, Mankir, which is Malakhed (Manyakheta).

Ibn Battuta: He traveled in India during the time of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. He mentioned historical events in South India, such as Alauddin's campaigns against Devagiri and the Hoysala empires, the bravery of Kampila of Kummata, and the end of the Hoysala king Ballala III.

The mentions and writings of foreign visitors to Vijayanagara such as Niccolò Conti, Abdur Razzaq, Duarte Barbosa, Domingo Paes, and Fernão Nunes have provided historical evidence about the Vijayanagara Empire and its rulers.

Nikitin: A Russian traveler named Nikitin (1470-74) visited the Bahmani Shahis. He provided a good description of Bidar and the Bahmani ruler Mahmud Gawan.

Caesar Fedrici: The Italian traveler Caesar Fedrici (Frederic), in 1567, described the ruined city of the Vijayanagara Empire that he saw and also gave reasons for its condition.

Ralph Fitch: Ralph Fitch of England visited Belagavi and Vijayapura (1583). He mentioned the trade in both these places and the court of Vijayapura.

Lin Shoten: Lin Shoten, a Dutchman who visited India between 1583 and 1588, provided details about the trade on the west coast and the social conditions in Karnataka and Goa.

Hendrick van Possar: Hendrick van Possar of Germany visited Vijayapura in 1622 during the reign of Ibrahim II. He provided details about the administration of Ibrahim II.

Mandaplo: Mandaplo, a German visitor who came to Vijayapura in 1639 during the reign of Mohammed Adil Shah II, provided details about trade in many places such as Raibag and Vijayapura.

Pietro della Valle: In 1623, Pietro della Valle traveled through the Keladi kingdom and visited the court of Venkatappa Nayaka. His observations on the life and society of that time provide interesting facts for the study of Karnataka's history after the Vijayanagara Empire.