Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom ?
- (a) Kakinada
- (b) Motupalli ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
- (d) Nelluru
Why the answer is (b)
• Motupalli, on the Andhra coast in Prakasam district, was the chief port of the Kakatiya kingdom (12th–14th century); Marco Polo visited it around 1290 and praised its trade in diamonds and muslin.
• Ganapatideva's Motupalli pillar inscription (1244) guaranteed security and fair duties to foreign merchants — a famous charter of trade — option (b).
• Kakinada (a) and Machilipatnam (c) rose under later powers; Nellore (d) is inland.
• Hence option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Kakinada
- Kakinada became important much later.
- (c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
- Machilipatnam flourished under the Qutb Shahis and Europeans.
- (d) Nelluru
- Nellore is not a seaport.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.