Which ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire is remembered as a friend and ally of the Portuguese Governor Afonso de Albuquerque in the early sixteenth century?

Introduction / Context:
The Vijayanagara Empire in South India maintained diplomatic and commercial contacts with the Portuguese, who had established themselves on the western coast of India. One famous ruler of Vijayanagara is often mentioned as a friend and ally of Afonso de Albuquerque, the Portuguese Governor who played a key role in building the Portuguese Estado da India. This question tests knowledge of that specific relationship and helps place Vijayanagara in a wider Indian Ocean context.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The question refers to a Vijayanagara ruler who was friendly with Afonso de Albuquerque in the early sixteenth century. The options include Devaraya II, Krishna Deva Raya, Narsimha Raya, Venkata II, and Harihara II. We assume that the learner can roughly date Albuquerque's period of activity around the early 1500s and knows the reign periods of the major Vijayanagara rulers, particularly Krishna Deva Raya, who ruled between about 1509 and 1529.

Concept / Approach:
Krishna Deva Raya is widely recognised as the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. His reign coincided with the early Portuguese presence in India, especially under Afonso de Albuquerque, who became Governor of Portuguese India in 1509. Historical accounts describe cordial relations between Krishna Deva Raya and the Portuguese, who supplied him with horses and other goods. This makes Krishna Deva Raya the clear match for the description in the question, whereas other rulers either reigned earlier or later.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Afonso de Albuquerque was active in India roughly between 1503 and 1515, serving as Governor from 1509. Step 2: Identify which Vijayanagara ruler reigned during that same time frame. Step 3: Remember that Krishna Deva Raya ruled from about 1509 to 1529 and is described in many sources as having friendly ties with the Portuguese. Step 4: Check other options such as Devaraya II and Harihara II, who belonged to earlier phases of the empire, and Venkata II, who ruled much later. Step 5: Conclude that Krishna Deva Raya is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard histories of the Vijayanagara Empire and the Portuguese presence in India highlight the link between Krishna Deva Raya and Afonso de Albuquerque. They mention that Portuguese horses and artillery were important in Vijayanagara warfare and that relations were generally cordial. Devaraya II and Harihara II, while important rulers, belong to earlier centuries, and Venkata II belongs to a later phase when Portuguese influence had changed. This confirms that Krishna Deva Raya is the only ruler who fits the time and context described.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Devaraya II is wrong because he ruled earlier in the fifteenth century, before the Portuguese firmly established themselves on the Indian coast. Narsimha Raya is a less prominent figure and does not match the time frame of Albuquerque. Venkata II belongs to the late sixteenth century when political conditions were very different. Harihara II is also from an earlier phase of Vijayanagara and could not have been a contemporary of Albuquerque. None of them had the well documented friendship and alliance that Krishna Deva Raya enjoyed with the Portuguese Governor.

Common Pitfalls:
Students occasionally confuse Devaraya II and Krishna Deva Raya because both have Deva in their names and are associated with Vijayanagara's strength. Another mistake is to ignore the time frame of Albuquerque and simply choose any well sounding name. To avoid this, learners should link Krishna Deva Raya with the early sixteenth century and with contacts with Portuguese traders and officials, including Afonso de Albuquerque.

Final Answer:
The Vijayanagara ruler who was a friend and ally of Afonso de Albuquerque was Krishna Deva Raya.