Mishra, Siddhant
Unveiling the architectural marvels of the Vijayanagar empire : a comprehensive study of Vijayanagar architecture - Vol.21(3), Jul-Sep - New Delhi Institute of Town Planners 2024 - 91-100p.
One of the peculiarities of modern Indian historiography is that the Deccan remains relatively unstudied: little
significant work has been done on any of the Dravidian art and architecture, particularly that of the Vijayanagar
Empire. This large gap is all the more astounding at an age when every minute shape of history looked to be
meticulously plotted out. Few historians, Indian or foreign, have written substantially on the Deccan, which remains
infrequently visited and unexpectedly unexplored. The Vijayanagar Empire, which flourished in South India from the
14th to the 17th century, left a lasting impression on the area’s architectural landscape. The empire’s architectural
wonders, especially in its capital city of Hampi, demonstrate an amazing fusion of creative genius and cutting-edge
technological prowess. The highly advanced and inventive architectural technology used during the Vijayanagar
era allowed for the construction of numerous temples and secular buildings that still stand as reminders of the
majesty of the empire. The Vijayanagar Empire may not have used the word “sustainability” explicitly, but many
of their architectural practises are in line with current sustainability ideals. The architects and builders of the
empire exhibited a profound understanding of local resources, climate, and community needs, which unintentionally
resulted in the construction of buildings that were well-suited to their surroundings and that have withstood the test
of time. Some features like Passive cooling and ventilation, water management, durable constructions are evidently
seen in the architecture of this period.
URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN (AR-UPD)
Unveiling the architectural marvels of the Vijayanagar empire : a comprehensive study of Vijayanagar architecture - Vol.21(3), Jul-Sep - New Delhi Institute of Town Planners 2024 - 91-100p.
One of the peculiarities of modern Indian historiography is that the Deccan remains relatively unstudied: little
significant work has been done on any of the Dravidian art and architecture, particularly that of the Vijayanagar
Empire. This large gap is all the more astounding at an age when every minute shape of history looked to be
meticulously plotted out. Few historians, Indian or foreign, have written substantially on the Deccan, which remains
infrequently visited and unexpectedly unexplored. The Vijayanagar Empire, which flourished in South India from the
14th to the 17th century, left a lasting impression on the area’s architectural landscape. The empire’s architectural
wonders, especially in its capital city of Hampi, demonstrate an amazing fusion of creative genius and cutting-edge
technological prowess. The highly advanced and inventive architectural technology used during the Vijayanagar
era allowed for the construction of numerous temples and secular buildings that still stand as reminders of the
majesty of the empire. The Vijayanagar Empire may not have used the word “sustainability” explicitly, but many
of their architectural practises are in line with current sustainability ideals. The architects and builders of the
empire exhibited a profound understanding of local resources, climate, and community needs, which unintentionally
resulted in the construction of buildings that were well-suited to their surroundings and that have withstood the test
of time. Some features like Passive cooling and ventilation, water management, durable constructions are evidently
seen in the architecture of this period.
URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN (AR-UPD)