Hampi
was the capital of Vijayanagar Empire, the last great Hindu
Kingdom. Under the Vijayanagar rulers Hampi grew fabulously.
The princes of Vijayanagar built numerous Dravidian temples
and palaces. The records of foreign travelers between 14th
and 16th century bear testimony to the grandeur of Hampi.
However the magnificent capital of Vijayanagar was destroyed
by the Deccan Muslim league in 1565. Hampi is a village in
northern Karnataka, India. It marks the ruins of Vijayanagar,
the former capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. The Hampi
village also houses the well-known Virupaksha temple.
Hampi contains several monuments belonging to the erstwhile
capital city. The Hampi ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Hampi is also identified with the legendary Kishkindha,
the monkey kingdom mentioned in the Ramayana. The rulers of
Vijayanagar chose Hampi as their capital because of its
strategic location. Hampi was bounded by the Tungabhadra
River on one side and granite cliffs on the other three
sides. The ruins at Hampi bear testimony to the patronage of
the Vijayanagar rulers to art and architecture. Excavations
at Hampi have unearthed beautiful temples, one of them
underground and also the ruins of once splendid palaces and
gateways.
















