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Vijayanagara, India, 1566AD

Vijayanagara, India, 1566AD


Vijayanagara (City of Victory) was the capital city of the historic Vijayanagara Empire. Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

A part of Vijayanagara ruins known as Hampi has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. Hampi is an ancient human settlement, mentioned in Hindu texts and has pre-Vijayanagara temples and monuments. In the early 14th century, the region was invaded and plundered by invading armies. The city of Vijayanagara was built from the ruins of Hampi.

The city grew rapidly. The Vijayanagara-centered empire functioned as a barrier to the Muslim sultanates in the north, leading to the reconstruction of Hindu life, scholarship, multi-religious activity, rapid infrastructure improvements and economic activity. By 1500 CE, Hampi-Vijayanagara was the world's second largest city (after Beijing) and India's richest at that time, attracting traders from Persia and Portugal.

Wars between nearby Muslim Sultanates and Hindu Vijayanagara continued through the 16th century. In 1565, the Vijayanagara leader Aliya Rama Raya was captured and killed, and the city fell. The conquered capital city of Vijayanagara was looted and destroyed for 6 months, after which it remained in ruins.