Founding

Vijayanagara Empire was established in 1336 CE by Harihara I & Bukka Raya I of Sangama dynasty.

Capital City

Hampi (Vijayanagara) was imperial capital situated on banks of Tungabhadra River.

Global Accounts

Foreign travelers like Domingo Paes (Portuguese) in 1520 CE described it as as large & beautiful as Rome.

Fall of Empire

Defeated in Battle of Talikota (1565 CE) by Deccan Sultanates; capital ransacked & partially destroyed.

Destruction & Abandonment

The city reportedly burned for six months post defeat & was left largely untouched until rediscovered by British.

Initial Mapping

Colin Mackenzie (first Surveyor-General of India) mapped Hampi in 1799, created watercolour drawings.

Photography

Alexander Greenlaw took early photos in 1860s; documented ruins before excavations.

Restoration Efforts

British inserted steel rods into gopurams (e.g. Virupaksha Temple, marked Made in England 1856).

1970s

Directed by Saiyid Nurul Hasan, Union Minister; led to launch of Hampi National Project (1976).

Core Excavations

Excavation of Vitthala Bazaar, Royal Enclosures, Pushkarini tank & five bazaars.

1986

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2022–Present

Excavations resumed under Nikhil Das, ASI Hampi Circle; revealed Paan-Supari Bazaar.

Site Spread

Over 250 sq. km includes around 1,600 monuments & 30 villages across Vijayanagara & Koppal districts.

Governance

Managed by ASI, Karnataka Archaeology Dept. & HWHAMA (formed post UNESCO warning in 1999).

Zoning (2007)

Area divided into Core Zone (40 sq.km), Buffer Zone (90 sq.km), Peripheral Zone (rest) with regulatory norms.

HWHAMA

Formed in response to UNESCO placing Hampi on World Heritage in Danger List (1999) due to unauthorized bridge construction.

Master Plan (2007)

Enforced strict regulations; shops, guesthouses in core zones declared illegal; many were evacuated.

Controversy

Seen as non inclusive of locals & living heritage; caused displacement & loss of traditional livelihoods.

Haphazard Excavations

Archaeologists like Vasundhara Filliozat criticized lack of a systematic plan accidental discoveries led work.

Temporary Suspension

ASI suspended further digging to focus on conserving existing discoveries first.

Inappropriate Restoration

Eg. Narasimha monolith restoration halted after local protests; ASI replaced destroyed horse statues with elephants.

Structural Vulnerability

Example Saalu Mantapa at Virupaksha Temple collapsed due to heavy rains (2024) raising questions about neglect.

Local Villagers

Over 30 villages exist within heritage site, many residents depend on tourism & trade.

Evictions

Hampi Bazaar (Virupaksha Temple) cleared in 2011 citing encroachments; locals lost livelihood.

Cultural Impact

Krishna Devaraya (descendant claim) & others argue for integrating traditional worship, temple priest residency & marketplaces.

Rehabilitation

Relocated villagers given homes & land elsewhere, but face disconnection from ancestral spaces.

Tourist Footfall

In 2023: 83,000 domestic & 20,000+ foreign visitors; economy now tourism-driven.

Guides & Autos

175 licensed guides; 300 auto-rickshaws operate within World Heritage zone.

Environmental Concerns

Poor sanitation, lack of green mobility & infrastructure strain raise red flags.

INTACH Viewpoint

Shama Pawar advocates for community inclusive planning, eco-sensitive tourism & better regulation.

Harihara I & Bukka Raya I

Founders of Vijayanagara Empire

Domingo Paes

Portuguese traveller (1520 CE) who documented Vijayanagara

Colin Mackenzie

First Surveyor-General of India, mapped Hampi in 1799

Alexander Greenlaw

British photographer, 1860s Hampi documentation

Saiyid Nurul Hasan

Minister who initiated Hampi National Project (1976)

George Michell

Historian, founder of Deccan Heritage Foundation

Nikhil Das

Superintending Archaeologist, ASI Hampi Circle

Shama Pawar

INTACH, Hampi chapter convenor

Krishna Devaraya

Resident of Anegundi, claims royal descent

Geographical Location

Located in Ballari district Karnataka; lies along Tungabhadra River amidst rocky hills & granite outcrops.

Cultural Significance

Hampi is one of most important Shaivite & Vaishnavite pilgrimage sites; associated with Ramayana’s Kishkindha region.

Architectural Style

Primarily Dravidian architecture with elements of Indo-Islamic & temple-town planning (concentric enclosures, ceremonial axis, water structures).

Unique Features

Monolithic sculptures, musical pillars, stone chariots, stepwells (Pushkarinis), mantapas (pavilions), bazaar streets & water tanks.

Famous Monuments

Virupaksha Temple (oldest functioning temple in India)
Vitthala Temple Complex (musical pillars, stone chariot)
Hazara Rama Temple (Ramayana friezes)
Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, Queen Bath
Achyutaraya Temple, Sasivekalu Ganesha, Lakshmi Narasimha

Sacred Geography

Contains sacred shrines Kodanda Rama Temple, Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple, Pampa Sarovar, Anjanadri Hill (birthplace of Hanuman).

Inscriptions

Inscriptions in Kannada, Telugu, Sanskrit, Tamil & even Persian; used for dating monuments & royal decrees.

Water Management

Advanced hydraulic system aqueducts, canals, cisterns & tanks like Kamalapura Tank, Bukka Aqueduct.

Intangible Heritage

Folk performances, temple rituals, Purandaradasa compositions, local craft traditions like stone carving, banana fiber craft.

Festivals Celebrated

Hampi Utsav/Vijaya Utsav Annual 3-day cultural event
Rathotsava (Chariot Festival) at Virupaksha Temple
Navaratri & Deepavali in various temple precincts

Associated Myths

Believed to be monkey kingdom of Kishkindha in Ramayana; temples aligned with celestial & mythological beliefs.

Current Tourism Issues

Poor waste disposal
Lack of sustainable tourist facilities
Encroachment & unregulated constructions
Conflict between ASI & locals over heritage zoning

Founding Dynasties

The Empire saw four major dynasties
Sangama Dynasty (1336–1485)
Saluva Dynasty (1485–1505)
Tuluva Dynasty (1505–1570)
Aravidu Dynasty (1570–1646)

Capital Cities

Primary Vijayanagara (Hampi)
Later capitals (under Aravidus) Penukonda, Chandragiri, Vellore

Prominent Rulers

Harihara I & Bukka Raya I (founders)
Deva Raya II (enhanced irrigation, literature)
Krishna Deva Raya (greatest ruler; Tuluva dynasty)
Achyuta Deva Raya
Aliya Rama Raya (Battle of Talikota)

Administrative System

Centralized kingship with feudal Nayaka system
Amaranayakas managed land & troops
Revenue from agriculture, trade, temples
Extensive use of Kaifiyats (village records)

Military Organization

Large standing army with infantry, cavalry, war elephants
Use of European artillery via Portuguese
Fortified cities with watchtowers & military architecture

Religion & Culture

Patronized Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism
Temples became administrative & economic centers
Supported Bhakti saints & spiritual literature

Language & Literature

Flourished in Kannada, Telugu, Sanskrit, Tamil
Allasani Peddana, Tenali Ramakrishna, Krishnadevaraya Amuktamalyada
Also foreign accounts Abdur Razzak (Persian), Nicolo Conti (Italian), Domingo Paes (Portuguese)

Economic Prosperity

Major trade in spices, cotton, diamonds, horses
Markets attracted Arabs, Portuguese, Persians
Minted gold coins Pagoda/Hun, silver & copper varieties

Architectural Achievements

Temple-town planning
Innovative mandapas, gopurams, stone chariots
Hydraulic engineering: canals, tanks

Art & Sculpture

Featured intricate bas-reliefs, Yali pillars, musical pillars & mythological themes
Stone sculptures of gods, animals, dancers

International Relations

Diplomatic ties with Portuguese, Persians & horse trade from Arabian traders

Downfall

Battle of Talikota (1565 CE) Confederation of Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, Berar, Bidar)
Capital razed; empire fragmented into Nayaka kingdoms

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. How do architectural features of Hampi reflect socio-religious dynamics of Vijayanagara period?