History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c29.s1.t4.17

v1.c29.s1.t4.17

For forming some idea of an ancient Hindu city one may mention Vijayanagar which remains the best preserved medieval Hindu capital town in India. An archaeological investigation of its urban lay-out and the chief monuments so far exposed, reveal sufficient information regarding the plan of the city as well as the form of individual elements viz. walls, roads, gateways, hydraulic works, residential quarters, palaces, civic buildings temples, shrines. It is situated on the bank of Tungabhadra river, regularly fortified having spectacular setting with granite landscape on the north, dominated by a gorge through which Tungabhadra river flows, to the south and west there to an extensive plain, on the South bank are the sacred shrines (around the village of Hampi). There is an irrigated valley to the south through which ancient canals still run. This separates the fortified urban core which is enclosed by a ring of massive fortification defining an elliptical zone about 4 km along its axis. Within the urban core there is an abundant evidence of habitation, temples, gateways, tanks and wells. At the south western end of the urban core, a cluster of enclosures encircled by high granite walls constitutes the royal center of the capital containing : palaces, temples, columned halls, treasury, watch towers, tanks and wells etc. Gateways are located along the roads leading into the urban core.