Vijayanagara
Vijayanagara, Karnataka (KA), India
Vijayanagara was a powerful Hindu empire founded in 1336 by brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty in the Deccan region of southern India, primarily in present-day Karnataka.
The empire was established as a stronghold against Muslim invasions, to preserve Hindu culture and territory during a period of significant political upheaval. Vijayanagara’s capital city, also called Vijayanagara (modern-day Hampi), became a major political, cultural, and economic center known for its impressive temples, palaces, and vibrant urban planning.
At its peak under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya in the early 16th century, the empire controlled much of southern India, including present-day Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Kerala. Vijayanagara engaged in prolonged conflicts with the Deccan Sultanates and served as a bastion that resisted northern invasions.
