The correct answer is: a) Vizianagaram.
Vizianagaram was a feudatory state in Andhra Pradesh that was founded in the 16th century by the Gajapati kings of Orissa. It was the largest and most powerful feudatory state in Andhra Pradesh, and it played a significant role in the history of the region.
The Gajapati kings were a powerful dynasty that ruled over Orissa from the 14th to the 16th centuries. They were known for their military prowess and their patronage of the arts. In the 16th century, the Gajapati kings began to expand their territory into Andhra Pradesh. They conquered several small kingdoms in the region, and they established the feudatory state of Vizianagaram.
The rulers of Vizianagaram were loyal to the Gajapati kings, and they helped to expand the Gajapati empire. However, in the 17th century, the Gajapati empire began to decline. The rulers of Vizianagaram took advantage of this decline, and they declared their independence from the Gajapati empire.
The rulers of Vizianagaram ruled over their kingdom for over 200 years. They were known for their military prowess and their patronage of the arts. They built several temples and palaces in Vizianagaram, and they made it a center of culture and learning.
In the 19th century, the British East India Company conquered Vizianagaram. The rulers of Vizianagaram were forced to sign a treaty with the British, and they became vassals of the British. The British ruled over Vizianagaram until India gained independence in 1947.
After India gained independence, Vizianagaram became a part of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The city of Vizianagaram is now a major tourist destination, and it is known for its temples, palaces, and museums.