Hampi is a spectacle. It is a peek into what the past used to be .
About 500 kms away from Bangalore, in Karnataka,India squeezed into the rocky flat bed region of Bellary, is Hampi. A magnificent reminder of the glory of the Vijayanagar Empire. Though in ruins, Hampi's monuments with their history stand tall among the tiny villages of the present day.
The region has a history that stretches to almost the year 300 BC. The archeological finds from the region suggest it being a part of the Mauryan Empire ( 3rd Century BC). Little is known about the area for ling stretches of time.
It is then in the 14th Century that the story of Hampi starts appearing in recorded history in detail.
The Hoysala dynasty which ruled from 1000 to the 1300, was repeatedly attacked by the armies of Alauddin Khilji and Muhammad bin Tughlaq. In 1326 the Hoysala's were defeated and the capital was destroyed.
From the ruins of the Hoysala rose the magnificent Vijayanagara Empire. Established in 1336, it went on to become a gloriuos kingdom. somewhere in the 15th century it was believed to be the second largest city in the world after Beijing.
A flourishing metropolis, with grand temples, palaces brought visitors and traders from across the world.
In 1565 it was attacked again by Deccan Sultanates and looted, plundered ,destroyed and left in ruins.
Here are few photographs of the ruins of the magnificent city of Hampi. Some of the monuments are in pristine shape today , almost 6 centuries later.
The monuments and ruins tell a story.
A story that lets you imagine , how grandiose it would have been in the past.
A story that reminds you of the destruction everlasting human greed and ambition can cause.
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