Question

Find out more about any one of the major cities which flourished in the subcontinent during c. fourteenth-seventeenth centuries. Describe the architecture of the city. Are there any features to suggest that these were political centres? Are there buildings that were ritually significant? Is there an area for commercial activities? What are the features that distinguish the urban layout from that of surrounding areas?

Answer 1

Vijayanagara – An Imperial Capital

Vijayanagara was a famous city in South India. It was founded in 1336 and became the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Today, its ruins are found at Hampi in Karnataka. The city had strong fort walls, temples, palaces, markets and water tanks. Important buildings included the Virupaksha Temple, Vitthala Temple, Lotus Mahal and Mahanavami Dibba. Vijayanagara was an important political centre because the kings lived and ruled from here. The royal buildings and large platforms were used for important ceremonies. It was also a religious centre. Many temples and shrines were built in the city. The Virupaksha and Vitthala temples were especially important. The city was also famous for trade and markets. People sold horses, clothes, spices, precious stones and many other goods. The areas around the city had farms, villages, canals and reservoirs. These provided food and water to the people living in Vijayanagara.

Conclusion:

Vijayanagara was an important political, religious and commercial city. Its buildings and ruins show the wealth and power of the Vijayanagara Empire.