Sources of Vijayanagar Empire

The ‘Vijayanagara’ or ‘City of Victory’ was the name of

the city as well as an empire which was founded by two
brothers, Harihara and Bukka in 1336 AD.
 ● The Vijayanagara kings competed
with contemporary rulers like
Sultans of Deccan and the Gajapati
rulers of Orissa (Now Odisha).
❖ The sources of Vijayanagar empire
history include accounts of foreign
travellers, Indigenous Works (local
vernacular literature), and
archaeological excavations.
Sources of Vijayanagar Empire
Sources Literary Works Information

Foreign Rehlatar Tuhfat- Account of the

Traveller un-Nuzzat by Ibn empire under
Accounts Batuta Harihara I

Matla as Sadain An account of

Wa Majma ul the reign of
Bahrain by Abdur Devaraya II
Razzaq
 An Account of Vivid account of
Countries Vijaynagara
Bordering the governance
Indian Ocean and under Krishna
their Inhabitants by Deva Raya
Duarte Barbosa

Dominigo Paes Governance

gave most detailed under Krishna
accounts of all Deva Raya of
historic Vijyanagara
descriptions of Empire
ancient city Hampi

Fernao Nuniz gave Mentioned the

detailed account on cultural aspects
the history of of the empire
Vijaynagar. and admire the
jewels worn of
women as well
as how women
were appointed
in the King's
service and also
detail account
on the
 foundation of
the city

Indigenous 1. Manucharitam Polity and

Works by Allasani Peddan political ideas of
the rulers
2. Gangdas Pratapa society and the
Vilasam by caste system
Gangadhara

3. Amuktarmalyada
by Krishnadeva
Raya

Archaeological Salu Vabhyudyam 1. A

Sources by Rajanatha contemporary
Dindima drama, deals
with siege of
Vijayanagara
city by the
Brahmins and
the Gajapatis of
Odisha after the
death of Deva
Raya II

2. Historical
eulogy of Saluva
 Dynasty

Inscriptions Bagapellisi Copper Achievement of

Plate Inscription Harihara I

Bitragunta grant of Genealogy of 5

Sangama II Sangama
Brothers

Channa Raya Successful

Pateeka Inscription invasions of
of harihara II Bukka I

Srirangam Copper Achievements of

Plates of Deva Bukka I
Raya II

Devulapalli Copper Genealogy of

Plates of Immadi Saluva DynastY
Narasimha

● The most striking feature about the location of

Vijayanagara is the natural basin formed by the
 river Tungabhadra which flows in a
northeasterly direction.
● The history of the Vijayanagara Empire was
recovered through the efforts of Mr. R Sewell,
who was Keeper of the Madras Record Office
and was tasked with responsibility for
documenting ancient inscriptions and remains
in the region.

● From the above sources, we know how the

rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire maintained
the well-functioning administrative methods
developed by their predecessors and also their
style of architecture.
Sources for Vijaya nagara history
● Works of Colin Mackenzie
● Archaeology
● Monuments
● INSCRIPTION

● Oral traditions
● Accounts of foreign travellers
● Literature written in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada
Colin Mackenzie
❖ The ruins at Hampi were brought to light in 1800 by an
engineer and antiquarian named Colonel Colin
Mackenzie
❖ He was employee of English East India company
❖ He was First Surveyor General of India
❖ He prepared first survey map of Hampi
❖ He collected information from priests of Virupaksha
temple and pampa devi shrine

● Mackenzie and his assistants This is a

copy by an unknown artist of an oil
 painting by the portrait painter Thomas
Hickey.
● It dates to c.1825 and belongs to the
collection of the Royal Asiatic Society
of Britain and Ireland.
● On Mackenzie’s left is his peon Kistnaji
holding a telescope, on his right are
Brahmana assistants – a Jaina pandit
(right) and behind him the Telugu
Brahmana Cauvellery Ventak
Letchmiah
● from 1856, photographers began to
record the monuments which enabled
scholars to study them.
● As early as 1836 epigraphists began
collecting several dozen inscriptions
found at this and other temples at
Hampi.
● In an effort to reconstruct the history
of the city and the empire, historians
collated information from these
sources with accounts of foreign
 travellers and other literature written in
Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Sanskrit

The history of Vijayanagar Empire constitutes an important chapter in the

history of India. Four dynasties - Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu - ruled
Vijayanagar from A.D. 1336 to 1672. The sources for the study of Vijayanagar
are varied such as literary, archaeological and numismatics. Krishnadevaraya's
Amukthamalyada, Gangadevi's Maduravijayam and Allasani Peddanna's
Manucharitam are some of the indigenous literature of this period.

Many foreign travelers visited the Vijayanagar Empire and their accounts are
also valuable. The Moroccan traveler, Ibn Battuta, Venetian traveler Nicolo de
Conti, Persian traveler Abdur Razzak and the Portuguese traveler Domingo
Paes were among them who left valuable accounts on the socio-economic
conditions of the Vijayanagar Empire.
The copper plate inscriptions such as the Srirangam copper plates of Devaraya
II provide the genealogy and achievements of Vijayanagar rulers. The Hampi
ruins and other monuments of Vijayanagar provide information on the cultural
contributions of the Vijayanagar rulers. The numerous coins issued by the
Vijayanagar rulers contain figures and legends explaining their tittles and
achievements.
 Urban Core
➔ Chinese porcelain in some areas, suggest that urban
core occupied by rich traders
➔ Urban core was also Residential quarters for Muslims
(tombs and mosques located here)
➔ Barbosa described houses of the people that are
thatched, but nonetheless well built and arranged
according to occupations, in long streets with many
open places.
➔ Numerous shrines and small temples
➔ Wells, rainwater tanks temple tanks
Hampi bazaar
 Hampi Bazaar is a unique attraction of Hampi. Located in front of
the Virupaksha Temple, the Hampi Bazaar is a well-known market
place that spreads for more than one kilometer. The road passing
through the market has series of old pavilions on both sides.
The place used to be a thriving market during the days of the
Vijayanagara Empire. Though the market has lost much of its sheen
and significance, it is still popular among the tourists.

History of the Hampi Bazaar

The Hampi Bazaar was once the centre of flourishing trade. It was a
well-planned market area. The series of pavilions had an organized
structure. Some of the pavilions were two stories. It also had the
residences of many rich and important people of that era. It was a
market that catered to the demands of the rich people as well as the
general masses.

Today what remains at Hampi Bazaar is just a shadow of its glorious

past.

Hampi Bazaar as it stands today

The Hampi Bazaar is also known as the Virupaksha Bazaar. The
Hampi Bazaar still functions as a market place, though it is no longer
as attractive as it was in the bygone era. One can still see the old
pavilions lining the street on both sides. However, the west end of the
street has been encroached by a number of shop owners and small
restaurants.

The eastern section of the street has been occupied by poor villagers,
who have settled down there. A large statue of Nandi bull, Yeduru
Basavanna, can be seen standing at the east end of the street.

A two-storied pavilion near the bull acts as a photo gallery. It contains

various unique photos of the Hampi site that date back to 1856 and
were taken by the famous international photographer Alexander
Greenlaw. It allows free entry to anyone interested in having a look
around the gallery. This photo gallery is a huge attraction for
photography enthusiasts.

What can you get at the Hampi Bazaar?

The Hampi Bazaar is a place where one can enjoy local shopping
experience. It was once a place where merchants from various foreign
lands used to sell exotic stuff like precious stones, jewellery, silk
clothes, etc. in the ancient times. It was also a market where cows and
horses were traded.

Today the market place is an area that sells a variety of local items like
embroidered shawls and textiles, traditional costumes, antique coins,
jewellery, colourful bags, stone figurines, carved artefacts, handicraft
items, clay dolls, etc. One of the interesting things found in the Hampi
Bazaar is the replica of Hampi ruins.

Apart from the items on offer the Hampi Bazaar is also a place where
one can enjoy lovely morning strolls before the hustle-bustle of
shopping starts for the day.

Hampi Bazaar during the Hampi Utsav

Hampi takes on a vibrant look during the annual festival, the Hampi
Utsav. Every year the Hampi Utsav is held in the month of November.
During the annual festival, the market place turns into a vivacious
place.

Hampi Bazaar becomes the center of all festive happenings that occur
in Hampi during those few days. It becomes a hotbed of cultural,
religious and temple festivals. As such, the activity in the market place
increases many folds as a huge number of tourists visit Hampi to take
part in the festivals.

How to reach Hampi Bazaar

Hampi Bazaar is an attraction that visitors don’t miss while on the
Hampi trail. It is a place that can be easily reached as most hotels
accomodating tourists are located in the areas surrounding the
market.

By Air

If you want to reach Hampi by air then take a flight to the nearest
airport at Bellary. It is situated at a distance of about 64 km from
Hampi. The airports at Belgaum (190 km) and Bangalore (353 km) are
other options for you to reach Hampi by air. You will be able to avail
other modes of transport to reach Hampi from these places.

By Rail
In case you want to reach Hampi by rail, reach the nearest station
located at Hospet. Hampi can be easily reached from Hospet as there
are frequent buses that ply between the two towns. There are also
other local means of transport that connect Hospet to Hampi.

By Road

The road network to reach Hampi is quite good. Hampi is well

connected to several towns and cities by the road network. There are
several buses that connect Hampi to the nearby places. Private cars
and vehicles can be hired from Bangalore or Mysore to reach Hampi.