Vijayanagara Empire History (14th-16th Century)

Questions and Answers

What significant event occurred in 1565 that impacted the city of Vijayanagara?

The city of Vijayanagara was sacked in 1565.

Who was Colonel Colin Mackenzie and what was his contribution to the rediscovery of Hampi?

Colonel Colin Mackenzie was an engineer and antiquarian who prepared the first survey map of Hampi in 1800.

How did oral traditions contribute to the rediscovery of the Vijayanagara Empire?

Oral traditions helped scholars connect local memories with archaeological finds and historical records.

What role did epigraphists play in the study of Hampi starting in 1836?

<p>Epigraphists began collecting inscriptions from temples at Hampi, enriching historical knowledge of the site.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the name 'Hampi' in relation to the Vijayanagara Empire.

<p>Hampi is derived from the local mother goddess, Pampadevi, signifying the cultural and religious importance of the site.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vijayanagara Empire Overview

Founded in the 14th century, Vijayanagara translates to "City of Victory."
Empire extended from the Krishna River to the southern tip of the Indian peninsula.
The city was sacked in 1565, leading to its abandonment.
Ruins in the 17th and 18th centuries left the city desolate, yet it remained culturally significant as Hampi, named after the local goddess Pampadevi.
Rediscovery of Vijayanagara was aided by oral traditions, archaeological remains, monuments, inscriptions, and historical records.

Discovery of Hampi

Hampi's ruins were first documented in 1800 by Colonel Colin Mackenzie, an engineer with the English East India Company.
Mackenzie created the first survey map of Hampi, relying heavily on the accounts of local priests linked to the Virupaksha temple and Pampadevi shrine.
Starting in 1856, photographers captured images of the monuments, facilitating scholarly studies.
As early as 1836, epigraphists began cataloging inscriptions from Hampi’s temples.
Historians compiled information from various sources, including accounts from foreign travelers and literature in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Sanskrit.

Description

Explore the fascinating history of the Vijayanagara Empire, founded in the 14th century. Discover its vast expanse, the significance of Hampi, and the events leading to its decline and ruin in the 17th and 18th centuries. Learn about the legacy of this 'City of Victory' and its cultural impact on the region.