Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c19.s3.5

c19.s3.5

Quite in contrast to the Bijāpur fort, the fort in Vijayanagara i.e. Hampi (Fig.58) still was in the traditional style, especially in its type of entrances (Fig.59, Fig.61 and Fig. 62) construction of walls. For the very location of the fort is so difficult of access for enemies who intended to carry heavy guns. Secondly, as per the descriptions and some remnants of the forts described above, there were seven concentric fort walls in the hilly region only and the Vijayanagara soldiers (Illn. J1) too were equipped with rifle etc. But it is not evident that they like their Muslim counter-parts had heavy guns. In spite of the fact that the Muslims had heavy guns and advanced layout of the fort, the Vijayanagara rulers did not seem to have been perturbed, for they probably realised clearly that transport of heavy guns in the out of way areas in the hilly regions with reasonable speed was practically well nigh impossible. Further, enemies with such equipments had to break off many forts before they could reach the citadel. It is these natural protective gifts and their laborious and elaborate planning of series of forts that made them to feel more than a match.