Hampi Historical Facts and Pictures

Hampi, the once-glorious capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, is located in the north of present-day Karnataka state in India. Now just a small village, Hampi is surrounded by the ruins of the imperial capital, expanding over a wide area of about 26km². Even in its ruined state, it is regarded as one of the most attractive tourist spots of the country and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Group of Monuments at Hampi).

Hampi Map

Hampi Map

The great Vijayanagara Empire was established in the year 1336 by the two brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama Dynasty. The empire came to be regarded as a culmination of all the struggles of the southern powers for averting the Islamic invasions in late 13th century. Its power started declining after the great defeat in 1356 at the hands of the Deccan sultanates (Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golkonda, Bidar, and Berar); but, the empire continued its existence until 1646.

Hampi

Hampi Pictures

Hampi

Temple of Hampi

Hampi Chariot

Hampi Temple Pictures

Hampi Temple

Virupaksha Temple of Hampi

Vithala Temple of Hampi

Hampi Boulders

Hampi Boulders Images

Hampi Boulders Photos

Hampi Boulders

Hampi Boulders Pictures

Hampi Musical Pillars

Hampi Musical Pillars Pictures

Hampi Musical Pillars

The magnificence as well as the rise and fall of the Vijayanagara Empire and its capital Hampi are discussed in the writings of renowned travellers and historians like Fernão Nunes, Domingo Paes and Robert Sewell.