In the wake of The battle of Talikota (January, 1565), a major trade and cultural center, Hampi (now in Karnataka) was mercilessly attacked and reduced to rubble by the combined forces of the Deccani sultanates against the Vijayanagara Empire led by king Ramaraya. One can see the vast painful destruction of so many beautiful temples, buildings, etc in and around Hampi including Lakkundi town (the latter developed by the Chalukya rulers -11th and 12 centuries). The city of Hampi nurtured by the Vijayanagara rulers was never rebuilt and has remained in ruins since then. Hampi and the surrounding area are listed in the UNESCO World heritage site as a group of ruins (recognition given in 1986).
The Vijayanagara empire headed by Aliya Ramaraya in the 14th century was one of the most powerful and rich kingdoms in the Deccan Plateau and was endowed with vast natural and mineral resources. The Deccani sultans independently could not seize the powerful Vijayanagara kingdom with a large well-trained army and military wares, So the the Sultanates of Bijapur and Bidar (Karnataka), Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) and Golconda (Andhra) formed a military alliance to seize the powerful Vijayanagara kingdom.
 |
| 1856 & 2016 Destruction of Hampi, Krishna mandir.KA en.wikipedia.org |
 |
| ruins of hampi , Karnataka. |
 |
| Brainly,in |
 |
| Hampi, cannons caused much of damages. quora.com |
 |
| 1865, Malik-i-Maidan cannon, Bijapur fort, en.bharatpedia.org |
 |
| Vijayanagara ruler Ramarayaindianetzone.com |
Above image: King Ramarayat of the Vijayanagara - Son-in-law of Emperor Krishna Deva Raya and the founder of the Aravidu dynasty, in the war against the Deccani sultanates Rama Raya was killed by beheading . Later ahe Vijayanagara Empire became fragmented into several semi-independent principalities each paying only nominal allegiance and tribute to the empire.......................
 |
| .King sri krishnadevaraya, Vijayanagara karnataka.com |
 |
| Deccan sultanates.en.wikipedia.org |
In the decisive war the allied forces came out victorious over the Hindu Ramaraya for four main reasons:
01.They had superior well trained artillery troops with powerful cannons, besides unshakable unity among the Sultanates.
02. Massive Malik-E-Maidan" bronze cannon (cast in Ahmednagar in 1549) with its stunning fire power, range and size of cannons terrorized the Vijayanagara troops.
03. The most disturbing setback was ruler Ramaraya who succeeded king Krishnadevaraya (died in 1529) was betrayed by his own Muslim commanders Gilani brothers. They suddenly switched sides and turned their loyalty to the united Sultanates during critical point of battle, leaving Ramaraya in the lurch .
04. Ramaraya, failed to gather secretly the military information on the sultanates and their strength. He was overconfident about his troops, their warfare and artillery fire power.
Hampi is being visited by lots of tourists both Indians and foreigners. There is a group of monuments here, and the temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva.
 |
| Elephant stables or Gajasala, Hampi, Karnataka en.wikipedia.org |
 |
| Krishna temple water tank, Hampi, KA en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: Krishna temple, water tank, Hampi, Karnataka. 15-16th century. This is the sacred pushkarani or tank located on the eastern side of Krishna temple in Hampi, India. It's a fine example of water tank design of Vijayanagar time that could be used by the public for drinking, etc. There were many step wells to access the ground water and each temple had a water tank in front. During the plundering by the allied sultanate armies, many were damaged or destroyed. Some are in ruins now..............
Hampi, the land of surprises was founded in the middle of 14th Century by two local princes, Hakka & Bukka on the banks of the Tungabhadra river, around 1500 CE grew fast to become a beautiful sprawling city of opulence and imperial elegance during the heyday of the Vijayanagar Empire, one of the most powerful in the Deccan Plateau; the city was one of the richests in the world then. The city represents the highest concentration of architecture. Classified into religious, courtly and military buildings, its pillared audience halls and towering gateways are its stylistic hallmarks. Many secular buildings bear Islamic features, displaying the city’s cosmopolitan inception. Some of its religious complexes remain in use today(collections.vam.ac.uk).
 |
| Krishna temple & stone chariot. ruins of Hampi , Karnataka istockphoto.com |
 |
| damaged and beheaded sculptures. Hampi, KAugra1515.blogspot.com |
 |
| non-secular seat of power or a palace Royal Center,Hampi,wikipedia |
Above image: Royal center, Hampi- A group of monuments and palaces- After the unopposed desecration,, the patronage of monuments and temples ceased, the Vaishnava cult perished, and the Royal Center was never rebuilt.
The legendary lost city though in a shambles, still retains its glitter and architectural splendor keeping the history and mythology alive. The city in ruins that never lost its aura, is still shrouded in mystery. It is about the Royal Center, a sprawling groups of homes and monuments that served at the heart of the Vijayanagara Empire. Various studies and excavation are yet to explain the exact purpose of the Royal Center and its functions.
It is imperative that political changes and the fortunes of kingdom and dynasties go hand in hand. With the change of political scenario under compelling situation, the mighty Vijayanagara empire fell on the had time.
The city was plundered and desecrated by the combined forces of the Deccan sultanates. The destruction was so complete that the city was never rebuilt and and has remained in ruins for centuries. Many temples, palaces, and other structures were destroyed or damaged. The place is often termed as the “city of ruins” owing to the number of ruins that are currently located in the area. The ruins included temples of Shiva Virupaksha, a form of Shiva and Vishnu, broken entrance tower/ gopura, damaged ornate pillars, smashed and beheaded sculptures on the outer parts of the temples halls (mandapam), idols, etc. The site is dotted with fallen ornate pillars, broken sculptures, damaged pillars without roof, etc.
The sultanate of Ahmednagar on orders from ruler Hussain Nizam Shah (1553–1565) the Indian Muslim of Deccani origin captured and beheaded the Vijayanagara king Aliya Rama Raya in the wake of the victory followed by massive raid on Hampi. The buildings there kept burning for a few months finally abandoned in dilapidated condition; In this ever changing work Hampi, once an amazing city through political changes became a desolate place. Credit goes to the earliest armature british photographer Alexander Greenlaw for vintage images. In the midst of ruins, Hampi is a treasure trove of ancient wonders,
https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Malik-E-Maidan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampi#:~:
https://www.quora.com/How-was-Hampi-destroyed
https://www.rarebooksocietyofindia.org/grid-layout.php?t=23&page=7
https://www.indianetzone.com/69/aliya_rama_raya.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama_Raya
https://hospet.online/stone-doors-remnants-of-incredible-hampi-history/
