Echoes of
Vijayanagara
Presented by Rashi Lalwani
Introduction
The Empire was founded in the 14th Century. In its peak years
empire stretched from the Krishna River in the north to the
extreme south of the Peninsula.
In 1565, the city was sacked and subsequently deserted.
Although it fell into ruins in the 17th-18th Centuries, it came to
be known as Krishna- Tungabhadra doab. The oral traditions
combined with archaeological finds, monuments and
inscriptions and other records helped scholars to rediscover the
Vijaynagara Empire from its ruins.
The year 1001 A.D. saw the first inroad into
India of Muhammadans from over the
northwest border, under the leadership of
Mahmud of Ghazni. His expeditions were
Before the
raids and nothing more. Other invasions.
however, followed in quick succession and
after the lapse of two centuries, the
Establishment
Muhammadas were firmly and permanently
established at Delhi. War followed war and
from that period Northern India knew no
rest.
Everything lead up to an inevitable end.
Suddenly around the year 1334 A.D., there
was a halt or stop in the invasions.
Foundations
The city of Vijaynagra is The Empire of Vijaynagar,
supposed to have been was founded around the
founded in the year 1336 year 1335-1336 by two
and that not far from the brothers. Harihara I and
truth. The date is Bukka I. The Empire
gathered from a speedily grew in
inscription of Ibn Batuta importance. This empire
dated in A.D. 1340. became a refuge for the
. outcasts driven out of
their home by advancing
Muhammadans.
Geographical
Location
The Vijaynagara Empire was The capital city of the
based in the Deccan of the Vijayngara Empire was Hampi.
Southern peninsula. During the The Empire rapidly grew along
peak period the Empire covered the banks of the Tungabhadra
much of the region of Southern River. It grew from being an
India. It covered the present day ancient pilgrimage centre in
states of Karnataka, Andhra the 13th Century and becoming
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa a metropolis of approximately
and some parts of the Telangana 650 square kilometers by the
and Maharashtra. the world's second largest city.
Caste and terminology
Social
Structure
Women
Social Interactions
Religion
Introduction and terminology
Political
Structure
Division of State and Power
Rayas and Nayaks
Dynasties and the Peak
Introduction and terminology
Economic
Structure
Taxes and Policies
Exports
ARCHITECTURAL
MARVEL
The strain began to show following Krishna deva
Raya's death in 1529. His successors were
troubled Nayaks and the central power shifted in
Fall of the
1543 to the Aravidu Dynasty.
In 1565 Rama Raya, led the army into the Battle
Empire
of Talikota where his forces are defeated by a
combined, army of Bijapur, Ahamadnagar and
Golconda and the the city was abandoned within
4 years.
The Vijayagar Kings were keen to ensure stability
of the Sultanates and vice-versa. It was the
adventurous policies of Rama Raya who wanted
to turn Sultanates against each other which led
to the downfall of the empire.
Discovery
The ruins at Hampi were brought to light in 1800 by an engineer and
antiquarian named Colonel Colin Mackenzie an employee of the English
East India Company.
He prepared the first survey map of the site. Subsequently, in 1856,
photographers began to record the monuments which enabled scholars to
study them
As early as 1836 epigraphists began collecting several dozen inscriptions
found at the ruins and other temples in Hampi. In an effort to reconstruct
the history of the city, the literary sources from foreign traveler's account
and other literature written in Telugu, Sanskrit Kannada & Tamil were
taken in account.
Conclusion
The Vijaynagar Empire, the beacon of culture and resilience emerged as a
powerful force in South India during 14th Century.
The Empire flourished for over 3 centuries, leaving behind an enduring legacy of
architectural marvels, cultural vibrancy and administrative finesse.
Despite its eventual decline in 17th century, the Empire's impact on South
Indian remains indelible. The Empire's legacy serves as a testament to the
ingenuity, resilience and cultural richness of South India.
Thank You!
