Questions in Search of Answers

The Discovery of Hampi

In 1800, Colonel Colin Mackenzie, an engineer and antiquarian, discovered the ruins at Hampi through his survey map. He collected information from priests of the Virupaksha temple and the shrine of Pampadevi. Photographers began recording the monuments in 1856, enabling scholars to study them. Epigraphists began collecting inscriptions from the temples in 1836. Historians combined this information with accounts of foreign travelers and literature in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Sanskrit to reconstruct the city’s history. Mackenzie appointed the first Surveyor General of India in 1815, focused on collecting local histories and surveying historic sites to better understand India’s past and improve governance. Studying Vijayanagara provided valuable information on Indian institutions, laws, and customs, which still influence the population today....

Rayas, Nayakas, and Sultans

The Vijayanagara Empire, founded in 1336 by brothers Harihara and Bukka, included people from various languages and religious traditions. The empire competed with contemporary rulers for control of fertile river valleys and overseas trade resources. The rulers of Vijayanagara borrowed ideas and building techniques from powerful states like the Cholas and Hoysalas, which extended patronage to elaborate temples. They built on these traditions and expanded them....

Vijayanagara The Capital and its Environs

Like other capitals, Vijayanagara had a unique physical design and architectural style....

The Royal Centre

The royal centre in the south-western settlement housed over 60 temples, important for rulers to establish authority through association with shrines. About thirty palaces were large structures, not associated with ritual functions, and were constructed entirely of masonry, unlike temples....

The Sacred Centre

The following describes the sacred center as Gopurans and Mandapas:...

Plotting Palaces, Temples and Bazaars

Vijayanagara, a site of national importance, has been extensively researched through surveys, photographs, plans, and inscriptions. The Archaeological Survey of India and the Karnataka Department of Archaeology and Museums have preserved the site, which was recognized as a site of national importance in 1976. In the early 1980s, a project was launched to document the material remains of Vijayanagara through extensive surveys. The mapping process involved dividing the area into 25 squares, each designated by a letter of the alphabet, and subdividing them into smaller units. The study of wooden elements and stone structures at Vijayanagara provides insights into the vibrant life of the times....

Questions in Search of Answers

Buildings provide information into the organization, use, materials, and techniques of spaces, assessing a city’s defense requirements and military preparedness. They also reveal the spread of ideas and cultural influences, often conveying ideas and symbols influenced by their cultural context. However, investigations of architectural features do not reveal what ordinary people, including those living in the city and its outskirts, thought about these impressive buildings or the enterprises they contributed their labor to....

Conclusion – Class 12 History Notes Chapter 7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara

In conclusion, the Vijayanagara Empire was a Hindu empire that ruled South India for over two centuries. It was founded in 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, and reached its peak under Krishnadevaraya in the early 16th century. The empire was known for its wealth, power, and cultural achievements. The Vijayanagara Empire was a major power in South India for over two centuries. At its peak, it controlled most of the region, from the Krishna River in the north to the Cauvery River in the south. The empire was also a major center of trade and commerce....

Chapter 7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara- FAQs

What is the focus of Class 12 History Chapter 7?...