Vijayanagara Empire – UPSC Prelims

Vijayanagara or “city of victory” was the name of both a city and an empire.

The empire was founded in the fourteenth century (1336 AD) by Harihara and Bukka of the Sangama dynasty.

It stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the peninsula.

Vijayanagar Empire was ruled by four important dynasties and they are:

Krishnadevaraya (ruled 1509-29) of the Tuluva dynasty was the most famous ruler of Vijayanagar. His rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation.

He is credited with building some fine temples and adding impressive gopurams to many important south Indian temples. He also founded a suburban township near Vijayanagar called Nagalapuram after his mother.

He composed a work on statecraft in Telugu known as the Amuktamalyada.

Dravidian architecture survives in the rest of Southern India spread through the patronage of the Vijayanagara rulers.

Vijayanagara architecture is also known for its adoption of elements of Indo Islamic Architecture in secular buildings like the Queen’s Bath and the Elephant Stables, representing a highly evolved multi-religious and multi-ethnic society.