It is important to note that the Vijayanagar Emperors had, in common with the Portuguese, the crusading spirit against the Mussulmans. Just as the presence of the Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula and their Empire across the narrow Straits of Gibraltar constituted a standing menace to the Portuguese, the presence of the Bahmini Sultanates on the borders of Vijayanagar provided that State with the powerful motive of safeguarding Hindu religion and culture in South India, and of upholding national independence against Muslim Powers.
Kung ilang daang taon nahirati ang mga taga-Europa sa lasa at bango ng mga spices, kaya lubha silang naunsiyami nang sakupin ng mga Muslim ang Middle East at hilagang Africa nuong bandang 700, at naipit ang daloy ng spices mula Maluku. Lalo nang naputol ang daloy nang sakupin ng mga Muslim sa Turkey ang Constantinople [Istanbul ang tawag ngayon] nuong 1453.