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No. 82

Hampi

On land South & Central Asia
The wide-angle view of the Galigopuram of the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi captured from Hemakunta Hill complex. The photograph showcases the Gopuram's towering height and elaborate carvings, which depict various mythologi
iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Where
India
Built by
Vijayanagara Empire
Era
1336-1565
Known for
Capital of one of the richest cities of its day.
How it ended
Sacked for months after the Battle of Talikota in 1565.
The image presents a flat elevation close-up of the Lotus Mahal in Hampi, showcasing its intricate architectural details. This view highlights the Mahal's distinctive lotus motifs, elegant arches, and ornate stonework, r
iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hampi / Karnataka - Vittala Temple - Entrance Gopuram
Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0
This wide-angle image showcases the Galigopuram of the Achyutaraya complex, emphasizing its impressive scale and intricate architectural details. The gopuram, a towering gateway adorned with elaborate carvings, reflects
iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Background

Hampi or Hampe (Kannada: [hɐmpe]), also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Hampi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the town of Hampi in Vijayanagara district, east-central Karnataka, India. Hampi predates the Vijayanagara Empire; it is mentioned in the Ramayana and the Puranas of Hinduism as Pampa Devi Tirtha Kshetra. Hampi continues as a religious centre, with the Virupaksha Temple, an active Adi Shankara-linked monastery and various monuments belonging to the old city.

Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara (Karnata) Empire from 1336 to 1565 (as Vijayanagara), when it was abandoned. It was a fortified city. Chronicles left by Persian and European travellers, particularly the Portuguese, say that Hampi was a prosperous, wealthy and grand city near the Tungabhadra River, with numerous temples, farms and trading markets. Hampi-Vijayanagara is estimated to be the world's second-largest city by 1500, after Beijing, and probably India's richest at that time, attracting traders from Persia and Portugal. The Vijayanagara Empire was defeated by a coalition of Muslim sultanates; its capital was conquered, pillaged and destroyed by Muslim armies in 1565, after which Hampi remained in ruins.

Situated in Karnataka, close to the contemporary town of Hampi with the city of Hosapete 13 kilometres (8.1 miles) away, Hampi's ruins are spread over 4,100 hectares (16 sq mi) and it has been described by UNESCO as an "austere, grandiose site" of more than 1,600 surviving remains of the last great Hindu kingdom in South India that includes "forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, mandapas, memorial structures, water structures and others".

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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