The Vice-president of India recently paid a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi, in the Vijayanagara district of Karnataka. This location mainly consists of the vestiges of the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire that existed from the 14th to the 16th century CE.
About the Hampi Site
Covering an area of approximately 4,187.24 hectares in the Tungabhadra basin in Bellary District, Central Karnataka, the site of Hampi presents an awe-inspiring landscape. The setting encompasses the Tungabhadra river, rugged hill ranges, and vast plains, scattered with significant physical remains.
One distinctive attribute of the Hampi temples is their broad chariot streets that are bordered by a series of pillared pavilions. Among the notable locations within this heritage site are the Krishna temple complex, Narasimha, Ganesa, Hemakuta group of temples, Achyutaraya temple complex, Vitthala temple complex, Pattabhirama temple complex, Lotus Mahal complex, among others.
Historical Background of Hampi
In the 14th century, Hampi served as the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Situated near the Tungabhadra River, the ancient city was known for its prosperity and grandeur, boasting numerous temples, farms, and trading markets. By 1500 CE, the city of Hampi-Vijayanagara was the second-largest medieval-era city globally after Beijing and was likely India’s wealthiest city at the time, attracting traders from Persia and Portugal.
However, the Vijayanagara Empire came to an end when it was defeated by a coalition of sultanates. Following the Battle of Talikota in 1565, its capital was invaded, looted, and destroyed by the armies of the sultanate, leaving Hampi in ruins.
The Vijayanagara Empire
The ancient city of victory, or Vijayanagara, lent its name to both a city and an influential empire. In 1336 AD, Harihara and Bukka of Sangama dynasty founded the empire, with Hampi as its capital city. The empire once stretched from the Krishna river in the north to the extreme south of the peninsula.
The rule of the Vijayanagar Empire saw four major dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu. Krishnadevaraya, who ruled from 1509-29 from the Tuluva dynasty, was one of the most well-known rulers of Vijayanagara. Besides establishing several magnificent temples and incorporating grand gopurams into many key south Indian temples, he also authored a Telugu statecraft called Amuktamalyada.
Last Modified: February 13, 2024