The Vijayanagara Empire: Map & History
The glorious medieval South Indian empire founded on the Tungabhadra river, famed for the granite metropolis of Hampi, diamond markets, and Krishnadevaraya.
Wikipedia Encyclopedic Compendium
Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
The Vijayanagara Empire, also known as the Karnāta Empire, was a late medieval Hindu empire that ruled much of Southern India. It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty.
Modern Countries Once Part of The Vijayanagara Empire
At its mapped extent, The Vijayanagara Empire covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside The Vijayanagara Empire's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
The Vijayanagara Empire in Depth
History
Before the early 14th-century rise of the Vijayanagara Empire, the Hindu states of the Deccan – the Yadava Empire of Devagiri, the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal, and the Pandyan Empire of Madurai – was repeatedly raided and attacked by an invasions from the Delhi Sultanate in the north. By 1317, the four kingdoms had been conquered by armies of Sultan Alauddin Khalji, his general Malik Kafur. Further south in the Deccan region, Hoysala commander, Singeya Nayaka-III, declared independence after the forces of the Delhi Sultanate defeated and captured the territories of the Yadava Empire in 1294. He created the Kampili kingdom near Gulbarga and Tungabhadra River in the northeastern parts of present-day Karnataka state.
Economy
The economy of the empire was largely dependent on agriculture. Wheat, sorghum (jowar), cotton, and pulse legumes grew in semi-arid regions, while sugarcane and rice thrived in rainy areas. Betel leaves, areca (for chewing), and coconut were the principal cash crops, and large-scale cotton production supplied the weaving centers of the empire's vibrant textile industry. Spices such as turmeric, pepper, cardamom, and ginger grew in the remote Malnad hill region and were transported to the city for trade. The empire's capital city was a thriving business centre that included a burgeoning market in large quantities of precious gems and gold. Prolific temple-building provided employment to thousands of masons, sculptors, and other skilled artisans.
Culture
The Hindu social order was prevalent and it influenced daily life in the empire. The rulers who occupied the top of this hierarchy assumed the honorific Varnasramadharma (lit, "helpers of the four classes and four stages"). According to Talbot, caste was more importantly determined by occupation or the professional community people belonged to, although the family lineage (Gotra) and the broad distinction described in sacred Hindu texts were also factors. The structure also contained sub-castes and caste clusters ("Jati"). According to Vanina, caste as a social identity was not fixed and was constantly changed for reasons including polity, trade and commerce, and was usually determined by context.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Vijayanagara Empire (CC BY-SA 4.0).
The Vijayanagara Empire: Key Facts
| Capitals | Vijayanagara, Penukonda, Chandragiri, Vellore |
|---|---|
| Official language | Kannada |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Founded | 1336 |
| Dissolved | 1646 |
Preceded by
- Hoysala Empire
- Kakatiya dynasty
- Kampili
- Madurai Sultanate
- Pandya dynasty
- Musunuri Nayaks
Succeeded by
- Kingdom of Mysore
- Keladi Nayaka
- Thanjavur Nayak kingdom
- Madurai Nayak dynasty
- Nayakas of Chitradurga
- Bijapur Sultanate
Facts from Wikidata Q167639 (CC0).
Vijayanagara Empire Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which The Vijayanagara Empire appears, with the other states of the time.
Imperial History & Territorial Expansion
Founded in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I with the guidance of sage Vidyaranya, the Vijayanagara Empire stood for three centuries as the bulwark of South Indian culture against northern Sultanate invasions. Its capital, Hampi, was described by Persian envoy Abdur Razzaq and Portuguese visitors as one of the richest and grandest metropolises on Earth, with bustling bazaars trading diamonds, pearls, and Arabian war horses. Under Emperor Krishnadevaraya, the empire reached its golden zenith in literature, art, and temple architecture.
Vijayanagara Empire Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Establishment of the Sangama dynasty capital at Hampi on the Tungabhadra.
Beginning of the Golden Age of territorial victories and cultural flourishing.
Decisive victory over the Bijapur Sultanate securing the Raichur Doab.
Combined Deccan Sultanates defeat the Vijayanagara army, leading to the sack of Hampi.
Key Monarchs, Architects & Strategists
Enduring Planetary Legacy
- ✓The monumental ruins of Hampi, showcasing the monolithic Stone Chariot and musical pillars of Vijaya Vittala Temple
- ✓The Nayankara administrative-military system coordinating feudal provincial governors
- ✓Flourishing of Telugu and Kannada literature under the patron court of the Ashtadiggajas
- ✓Extensive canal systems and granite aqueducts diverting the Tungabhadra river for perennial agricultural irrigation
Vijayanagara Empire: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Vijayanagara Empire exist?
The Vijayanagara Empire is dated to 1336 CE – 1646 CE (Peak: 1520 CE), in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire?
The capital of the Vijayanagara Empire was Vijayanagara (City of Victory, Hampi), Penukonda.
How large was the Vijayanagara Empire at its peak?
At its peak in 1520 the Vijayanagara Empire covered about 850,000 km².
How did the map of the Vijayanagara Empire change over time?
The Vijayanagara Empire appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1400 CE to 1500 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Geographic Lifelines
Other Sovereign Realms
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Avarga
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Söğüt, Bursa, Edirne, Constantinople
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore, Delhi