VIJAYANAGARA

City of Victory
Thungabadra River
on the Deccan plateau
At the end of 13th century, invasion of Muslim led to rise of Two Sangama brothers,
Harihara and Bukka, who became founder of VIJAYANAGARA
 Deccan plateau is a dry territory and most settlements are dependent on proper
irrigation, so foundation of Vijayanagara was based as much on the proximity of the
Hampi shrines as on the possibility of irrigation
natural topography may have also played a part as the huge boulders, rocky
ridges, and valleys allowed for increased defensive capabilities
Existed from the middle of the fourteenth century until 1565,but
within that small period it served its purpose well: the protection of southern
India from the Muslim invaders to the north, and the unification of
the smaller kingships into the Vijayanagara Empire
 Hinduism pervades every aspect of lifestyle; waking, household chores, agriculture, even
bathroom habits are all integrated into a continuous prayer, So towns are planned to facilitate this
ritualistic lifestyle
The Mandala, a geometric pattern representing the order of the universe, serves this purpose, allowed
kings to plan their cities in such a way as to honor their chosen deity
 The patterns of the Mandala are dictated by Shastras that have existed for well over two
thousand years.

“They codify the layouts of capital cities, defining the appropriate spatial framework
in which Kings and Gods may meet”
The Mandala creates conceptual links between all the elements of city life, all of
which are based on the
Hindu religion.

These elements include temples, palaces, marketplaces, bath houses, and so

on.
 The Vijayanagaran Mandala, links the city based on concentric
circles and a
clockwise circulation, all converging on the Ramachandra temple in the middle of
the Royal Center 
 The Hampi Bazaar consists of a single wide street used as the ceremonial street for chariot
festivals. The street is ten meters wide and close to seven hundred and
fifty meters long, lined with raised colonnades that accommodated merchants
and other structures that may have served as residences for royal visitors during the
Mahanavami festival