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• The ruler of Vijayanagara also had made vast fortification. The archaeologist
made an elaborated study of roads within the city and the roads which led one out
of the city.
• The Royal centres were located in the south-western part of the settlement, which
included over sixty times.
• The sacred centre was situated on the rocky northern end on the bank of the river
Tungabhadra. According to tradition rocky hill served as a shelter to the monkey
Kingdom of Bali and Sugriva which were mentioned in the Ramayana.

Vijayanagara or ‘City of Victory’ was the home of both a city and an empire. It stretched
from the river Krishna in the North to the extreme South of the Peninsula. People
remembered it as Hampi, a name derived from that of the local mother Goddess,
‘Pampadevi’.

Rise of Vijayanagara:

• Two brothers Harihara and Bukka founded the Vijayanagara empire in 1336. The
rulers of Vijayanagara called themselves as ‘Rayas’.
• Vijayanagara was famous for its markets dealing in spices, textiles and precious
stones. The trade of import of horses from Arabia and Central Asia was controlled
by Arab and Portuguese traders and also by local merchants (Kudirai Chettis).
• Trade was often regarded as a status symbol for this city. The revenue derived
from trade in turn contributed significantly to the prosperity of the state.

Dynasties and Rulers of Vijayanagara:

• Vijayanagara was ruled by different dynasties like Sangama, Salavas and
Tuluvas. Krishnadeva Raya belonged to Tuluva dynasty, whose rule was
characterised by expansion and consolidation of Vijayanagara.
• During the rule of Krishnadeva Raya, Vijayanagara flourished under the conditions
of unparalleled peace and prosperity. Krishnadeva Raya established some fine
temples and gopurams and sub-urban township named Nagalapuram. Alter his
death in 1529, his successors were troubled by rebellious ‘Nayakas’ or military
chiefs.
• By 1542, control at the centre had shifted to another ruling-lineage, that of the
Aravidu, which remained in power till the end of the 17th century. Military chiefs or
Nayakas often moved from one area to another accompanied by peasants broking
for fertile land on which to settle. The Amara-nayaka system, similar to Iqta
system of the Delhi sultanate, was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara
empire.
• These were military commanders who were given territories to govern the ‘raya’.
The Amara-nayakas sent tribute to the king annually and personally appeared in
the royal court with gifts to express their loyalty.

Geographical Structure and Architecture of Vijayanagara: