CHAPTER
07 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara
Introduction:
The Vijayanagara Empire was the most prestigious and magnificent kingdom in South India. Its capital is Hampi. Hampi
was discovered in 1815 by Colin Mackenzie, India's first surveyor. Colin McKenzie’s work has given new direction to all future
researchers. Alexander Greenlaw's first detailed photograph of Hampi was taken in 1856, which is very useful to the scholar.
1. New Architecture: Hampi
The Vijayanagara Empire was the most prestigious and magnificent kingdom in South India. Its capital is Hampi. Hampi was
discovered in 1815 by Colin Mackenzie, India's first surveyor.
His (Colin McKenzie) work has given new direction to all future researchers.
Alexander Greenlaw's first detailed photograph of Hampi was taken in 1856,
which is very useful to the scholar.
J F Fleet began compiling and documenting inscriptions from the walls of
temples in Hampi in 1876.
John Marshall began conservation of Hampi in 1902. In 1976, Hampi was
declared a site of national importance and in 1986 it was declared a World
Heritage Site.
The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in the 14th century by two brothers,
Harihara and Bukka.
The rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire were known as the Rayas. Krishna
Deva Raya was the most powerful ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. During
his tenure, the empire touched its glory.
The administration of the Vijayanagara Empire was very good and its people
were very happy.
The Vijayanagara Empire began to decline by the 16th century and ended in
the 17th century.
Four dynasties ruled Vijayanagar:
(a) Sangam dynasty (b) Saluva Dynasty (c)
Tuluva dynasty (d) Aravidu dynasty
The Sangam dynasty established an empire, the Saluva expanded it, the Saluva brought it to the pinnacle of its glory, but it began
to decline under Aravidu.
Many factors contributed to the downfall of the empire, including the weak central government, the weak descendants of
Krishnadevaraya, the struggles of various dynasties against the Bahmani kingdom, and the weak empires.
Meeting its water needs from the natural warehouses built by the Tungabhadra River was the most important feature of the
empire. The ruler of Vijayanagar also built huge forts. The archaeologist made a detailed study of the roads within the city and
the roads leading out of the city. The Imperial Centers were located in the southwestern part of the settlement, with more than
sixty bars. The shrine is located at the northern end of the rock on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. According to tradition,
, the rock hill served as a refuge for the DO YOU KNOW?
ape kingdoms of Bali and Sugriva Empire of Karnataka: Historians use the term Vijayanagara Empire, described by
mentioned in the Ramayana. contemporaries Empire of Karnataka.
Vijayanagar or 'City of Victory' is home Gajapati: That means Lord of Elephants. It is the name of the most
to both a city and an empire. It
powerful ruling dynasty in Odisha in the fifteenth century.
stretches from the Krishna River in the
Ashvapati: In the famous tradition of Vijayanagar, the Deccan sultans
north to the far south of the peninsula.
People remember that the name are known as the presidents of the horse lords. • Narpati:
Hampi is derived from the local In the Vijayanagara Empire, Raya was known as Narpati
mother goddess 'Pampa Devi'. or Lord of Men.
2. Emergence of Vijayanagara:
The two brothers Harihara and Bukka
founded the Vijayanagara Empire in
1336. The Vijayanagara rulers called
themselves 'Rayas'. Vijayanagar is
famous for its markets for spices, textiles
and precious stones. The importation of
horses from Arabia and Central Asia was
controlled by Arab and Portuguese
traders and local traders (Kudirai
Chetty). Trade is often considered a
status symbol for the city. Instead, the
revenue generated through trade
contributed significantly to the well-being of the state.
DO YOU KNOW?
Greek: It is a Sanskrit word for Greeks and other peoples who entered the subcontinent from the north-west.
Shikhara: The top of a temple or the highest roof is called a shikhara. In general, visitors to temples can see it from a
reasonable distance. At the bottom of the peak we see a statue of the main deity or goddess.
Sanctuary: This is the focal point of the main hall in the middle of the temple. Usually every devotee comes to the door of this
room to pay homage and a sense of devotion towards his main duty.
3. Vijayanagara dynasties and rulers:
Vijayanagar was ruled by various dynasties like Sangam, Salva and
Tuluva. Krishna Deva Raya belonged to the Tuluva dynasty, whose rule
was characterized by the expansion and unification of Vijayanagara.
During the reign of Krishnadevaraya, Vijayanagar flourished under
conditions of unparalleled peace and prosperity. The Krishna Deva Rayas
established some of the best temples and gopurams and a suburban base
called Nagalapuram. After his death in 1529, his successors were troubled
by rebel 'leaders' or military officers.
By 1542, control of
the center had been
transferred to
another ruling dynasty, with Aravidu in power until the end of the 17th
century. Military chiefs or leaders often travel from region to region with
farmers, mediating the settlement of fertile land. The Amar-Nayaka system,
like the Iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate, was a major political invention of
the Vijayanagara Empire.
These were the military commanders who were given territories to rule
'Roy'. The immortal-leaders paid an annual tribute to the king and
personally presented gifts to express their allegiance to the royal court.
07 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara
Introduction:
The Vijayanagara Empire was the most prestigious and magnificent kingdom in South India. Its capital is Hampi. Hampi
was discovered in 1815 by Colin Mackenzie, India's first surveyor. Colin McKenzie’s work has given new direction to all future
researchers. Alexander Greenlaw's first detailed photograph of Hampi was taken in 1856, which is very useful to the scholar.
1. New Architecture: Hampi
The Vijayanagara Empire was the most prestigious and magnificent kingdom in South India. Its capital is Hampi. Hampi was
discovered in 1815 by Colin Mackenzie, India's first surveyor.
His (Colin McKenzie) work has given new direction to all future researchers.
Alexander Greenlaw's first detailed photograph of Hampi was taken in 1856,
which is very useful to the scholar.
J F Fleet began compiling and documenting inscriptions from the walls of
temples in Hampi in 1876.
John Marshall began conservation of Hampi in 1902. In 1976, Hampi was
declared a site of national importance and in 1986 it was declared a World
Heritage Site.
The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in the 14th century by two brothers,
Harihara and Bukka.
The rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire were known as the Rayas. Krishna
Deva Raya was the most powerful ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. During
his tenure, the empire touched its glory.
The administration of the Vijayanagara Empire was very good and its people
were very happy.
The Vijayanagara Empire began to decline by the 16th century and ended in
the 17th century.
Four dynasties ruled Vijayanagar:
(a) Sangam dynasty (b) Saluva Dynasty (c)
Tuluva dynasty (d) Aravidu dynasty
The Sangam dynasty established an empire, the Saluva expanded it, the Saluva brought it to the pinnacle of its glory, but it began
to decline under Aravidu.
Many factors contributed to the downfall of the empire, including the weak central government, the weak descendants of
Krishnadevaraya, the struggles of various dynasties against the Bahmani kingdom, and the weak empires.
Meeting its water needs from the natural warehouses built by the Tungabhadra River was the most important feature of the
empire. The ruler of Vijayanagar also built huge forts. The archaeologist made a detailed study of the roads within the city and
the roads leading out of the city. The Imperial Centers were located in the southwestern part of the settlement, with more than
sixty bars. The shrine is located at the northern end of the rock on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. According to tradition,
, the rock hill served as a refuge for the DO YOU KNOW?
ape kingdoms of Bali and Sugriva Empire of Karnataka: Historians use the term Vijayanagara Empire, described by
mentioned in the Ramayana. contemporaries Empire of Karnataka.
Vijayanagar or 'City of Victory' is home Gajapati: That means Lord of Elephants. It is the name of the most
to both a city and an empire. It
powerful ruling dynasty in Odisha in the fifteenth century.
stretches from the Krishna River in the
Ashvapati: In the famous tradition of Vijayanagar, the Deccan sultans
north to the far south of the peninsula.
People remember that the name are known as the presidents of the horse lords. • Narpati:
Hampi is derived from the local In the Vijayanagara Empire, Raya was known as Narpati
mother goddess 'Pampa Devi'. or Lord of Men.
2. Emergence of Vijayanagara:
The two brothers Harihara and Bukka
founded the Vijayanagara Empire in
1336. The Vijayanagara rulers called
themselves 'Rayas'. Vijayanagar is
famous for its markets for spices, textiles
and precious stones. The importation of
horses from Arabia and Central Asia was
controlled by Arab and Portuguese
traders and local traders (Kudirai
Chetty). Trade is often considered a
status symbol for the city. Instead, the
revenue generated through trade
contributed significantly to the well-being of the state.
DO YOU KNOW?
Greek: It is a Sanskrit word for Greeks and other peoples who entered the subcontinent from the north-west.
Shikhara: The top of a temple or the highest roof is called a shikhara. In general, visitors to temples can see it from a
reasonable distance. At the bottom of the peak we see a statue of the main deity or goddess.
Sanctuary: This is the focal point of the main hall in the middle of the temple. Usually every devotee comes to the door of this
room to pay homage and a sense of devotion towards his main duty.
3. Vijayanagara dynasties and rulers:
Vijayanagar was ruled by various dynasties like Sangam, Salva and
Tuluva. Krishna Deva Raya belonged to the Tuluva dynasty, whose rule
was characterized by the expansion and unification of Vijayanagara.
During the reign of Krishnadevaraya, Vijayanagar flourished under
conditions of unparalleled peace and prosperity. The Krishna Deva Rayas
established some of the best temples and gopurams and a suburban base
called Nagalapuram. After his death in 1529, his successors were troubled
by rebel 'leaders' or military officers.
By 1542, control of
the center had been
transferred to
another ruling dynasty, with Aravidu in power until the end of the 17th
century. Military chiefs or leaders often travel from region to region with
farmers, mediating the settlement of fertile land. The Amar-Nayaka system,
like the Iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate, was a major political invention of
the Vijayanagara Empire.
These were the military commanders who were given territories to rule
'Roy'. The immortal-leaders paid an annual tribute to the king and
personally presented gifts to express their allegiance to the royal court.
