Would you find these features in a city today? Why do you think the gardens and water bodies were selected for special mention by Paes?
Yes, gardens and water bodies would certainly be found in a city today as they serve essential purposes of aesthetics, recreation and water supply.
Paes selected these features for special mention because Vijayanagara was located in one of the most arid zones of the peninsula. Despite this, the city had many groves of trees, conduits of water, lakes and a palm-grove near the king's palace. The presence of such features in a dry region indicated elaborate arrangements made to store rainwater through embankments and reservoirs like the Kamalapuram tank. These features demonstrated the city's prosperity, advanced planning and the king's ability to transform a harsh landscape into a beautiful and habitable urban centre.
Explanation
The question tests students' understanding of urban planning in Vijayanagara and why certain features stood out to foreign travellers. The context clearly mentions that the region was arid, yet Paes observed gardens, lakes, conduits and a palm-grove near the palace. This contrast between the dry landscape and the presence of water bodies and greenery made these features remarkable. The Kamalapuram tank and system of embankments showed sophisticated water management. Students should connect these facts to explain why Paes found them noteworthy.