Vijayanagar

Vijayanagar [Sanskrit,=city of victory], ruined city, SE India. It was the capital (14th-16th cent.) of the Hindu Vijayanagar empire, which embraced all India S of the Kistna River and shielded S India from the Muslim kingdoms of the north. At its height during the reign (c.1510-c.1530) of Krishnadeva Raya, the empire had dealings with many Asian and European countries. The city of Vijayanagar, then some 60 mi (95 km) in circumference, flourished as a prosperous trade center and was noted for its artists, writers, and temples. After a crushing defeat of the Hindus at Talikota (1565) Muslim forces utterly demolished the city, and, except for a brief revival, the empire was destroyed.

Vijayanagar, Karnātaka/India Ruins. ‘City of Victory’ from the Sanskrit vijaya and nagar. The Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar came into existence in 1336 as a bulwark against Muslim invaders from the north. When Prince Harihara defeated the Hoysalas in 1343 he founded the city as his capital. In 1565, however, Muslim forces destroyed the city. The village of Hampi now incorporates part of the ruins.