Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c16.s3: References to the forts by the foreign visitors
Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c16.s3
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References to the forts by the foreign visitors
c16.s3.1
Among the visitors, chronologically Nicolo-conti (an Italian, 1420 A.D.) states that "the city, which was about 60 sq. miles in area,had walls that were carried upto the mountains and enclosed the valleys and at their fort in the city there were ninety thousand men fit to bear arms" (Sowell, R. 1962, PP. 89-91).
c16.s3.2
Abdul Razak, a Persian (1443 A.D.), is probably the best in his accounts and most informative so far as the city and the enclosing forts were concerned.
c16.s3.3
According to Abdul Razak (Sewell,R., 1962, P.89-91) "the city was enclosed by 7 fort walls. In the open areas, in between the first 5 fortifications from the outer most, were mainly fruit gardens such as Banana etc. flower gardens of rose, Jasmin etc., besides some parts were under cultivation. The remaining areas were thickly populated by the artisans, the craftsmen, the village industrialists, the merchants, the sportsmen, the astrologists and other scholars. In particular, in the area between second and third of the inner most forts, were soldiers, priests and men of elite-class. There were many religious and secular buildings of high order".
c16.s3.4
Abdul Razak adds that, "the inner most was the citadel, the centre of the Vijayanagara city. The citadel extends from Kamalapura to Hampi with many gates bearing towers at intervals. The path through these gates leads to the site of old palaces, various civil and administrative buildings etc."
c16.s3.5
Further he says that "the citadel was the strongest as evidenced from the kinds of rock materials used, orientation and setting up of gateways at strategic points."
c16.s3.6
Abdul Razak is very graphic in his description of the city of the fort. "He further says that around the citadel were stones of the height of a man one-half of which is sunk in the ground, while the other half rises above the ground. These are the approaches to the citadel. These are fixed one beside the other in such a manner that no horse or foot soldier could boldly or with ease approach the citadel".
c16.s3.7
"The seventh fortress is to the north and is the place of the king. The space which separates the first fortress is filled with cultivated fields and with houses and gardens. In the space from the third to the seventh one meets a numberless crowd of people, many shops and Bazaars. By the king's palace are four Bazars, placed opposite to each other. On the north is the portico of the 'Rai'. Above each Bazar is a lofty arcade, with a magnificent gallery, but the audience hall of the kings palace is elevated above all the rest. The Bazars are extremely long and broad."
c16.s3.8
"Each elephant has a seperate compartment, the walls of which are solid and roofs composed of strong pieces of wood. Opposite the mint is the house of the Governor, where are stationed twelve thousand soldiers on guard".
c16.s3.9
Another chronicler, Duarte Barbose (Portuguse, 1504-16 A.D.) refers to the city (Sewell, R., 1962, P.129) as "located on the level ground and surrounded by a very good wall on one side and the river on the other". He says, "the king keeps at all times nine hundred elephants, more than twenty thousand horses all bought with his own money".
c16.s3.10
Next, Nuniz (1535-37 A.D.) is probably the last in the series of foreign visitors giving accounts of the city of Vijayanagara and her glory. He records (Sewell,R.,1962, P.277) that "the city was enclosed by many walls". What is more interesting to note in his account is a reference to the renovation of the fort. He says, "This king made in the city of Bisnaga many walls and enclosed it a new". He further states that "a dam was constructed across the river Tungabhadra to get water for the gardens etc. of the city".
c16.s3.11
The above accounts would help us to locate the forts and to trace them as far as possible. Accordingly an attempt was made to study the citadel area.