Hampi, located in the east-central part of Karnataka state of India, homes the ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire of the Indian history. According to the Persian and European chronicles, Hampi was a grand city on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. During 1500 CE, Hampi was also the second largest medieval-era city after Beijing.
About the widespread Hampi group of monuments
Located in the hilly terrain formed by granite boulders, Hampi covers an area of about 41.5 square kilometers. There are about 1600 monuments built between 1336 and 1570 CE during the Vijayanagara empire.
The Virupaksha temple is the oldest and an important Hindu pilgrimage. The other notable structures of Hampi are-
- Krishna temple
- Achyutaraya temple
- Vitthala temple
- Hemakuta hill monuments
- Hazara Rama temple
- Kodandarama temple and riverside monuments
- Pattabhirama temple complex
- Mahanavami platform, public square complex
- Queen’s bath
- Elephant stables and Zenana enclosure
There are many Jain temples in the compound dating from the same era, of which, the Ganagitti temple complex is the main.
What was the cause of the downfall of the Vijayanagara empire and hence the ruins of the city?
During 1565 CE, at the battle of Talikota, the Vijayanagara empire was defeated by a coalition of Muslim sultanates. The kingdom was captured, pillaged, and destroyed by the armies. It is said that the city was burnt to ashes for six months after the war. Today, what we see is the ruins of this wonderful kingdom.
Hampi showcases the grandeur of the ancient empires. What makes Hampi so special is that it features an entire kingdom and not just a monument. Had it not been ruined, Hampi and the Vijayanagara kingdom would have been a living legend of administration and township. If you are planning a trip, you can also book an intercity cab in Hampi for sightseeing and onward journey.
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