Vijayanagara, once one of the mightiest Hindu empires, has now been reduced to a mere village. Through extensive research and restoration efforts, dedicated conservationists and the ASI have made every possible attempt to restore the lost brilliance of the Vijayanagara Empire. The splendid rocks and large boulders, together with the awe-inspiring royal architecture, confer on Hampi the rare accolade of being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural beauty as well. Indeed, with the turbulent Tungabhadra river flowing on one side and rocks and boulders poised in an amazing balancing act, Hampi presents a sight to behold. In Vijayanagara Empire acclaimed photographer Raghu Rai, through his passionate response to the site, takes the reader on a visual experience akin to being transported into the world the way it must have existed centuries ago. His photographs have an archival and ancient feel to them, and yet succinctly capture not only the depths and details of the ruins but also fleeting experiences.

The Vijayanagar Empire, which was headquartered in present-day Hampi, Karnataka, is acclaimed in pre-modern history as the most powerful kingdom to arrest the onslaught of Moghul invaders in the South for nearly two centuries. Its rulers were known for their valour in taking on the Sultans from the North. Further, the rulers of Vijayanagara were great patrons of Hindu culture and civilization and were known for their military and administrative acumen. They patronized fine arts, music, dance and temple architecture. Despite their glory, there are conflicting records of the empire’s history, right from the inception of the empire to its collapse. There are some apologists who even contest the fact that Sage Vidyaranya founded the empire to defend Hinduism and its values. Others, foreign tourists who visited the empire, were not wholly appreciative of the rulers and exaggerated their weaknesses if any. Influenced by their religious allegiances, these visitors were often biased and tended to base their narratives on hearsay. Modern historians too have descredited the empire so as to nullify the role of religious bigotry. They came up with theories that do not truly represent the true spirit and culture of this great empire. Which narrative is the most accurate and who has curated the history of the Vijayanagar Empire in the most succinct way? This book only tries to analyse various theories about the Empire and tries to give a perspective on such controversies.

Written About A.D. 1520 To 1522 And A.D. 1535 To 1537 Respectively.

It is the sixteenth century in South India and the Vijayanagara Empire is in the throes of a succession struggle that threatens to disrupt the peace of the realm. Far away from the chaos, the splendorous estate of Madhuvana sits in relative heaven where its seventy-year-old patriarch, Rajanna, has just died. After elders decree that his widows are to perform an ancient ritual in which a widow is cremated alive, the lives of three people intersect. Aadarshini is Rajanna’s twenty-two-year-old third wife and mother of his heir. Azam Khan is Rajanna’s trusted bodyguard, left rudderless after the death of his master. Prabhakara Swami is the enigmatic temple priest who holds the strings that control the fates of others. When Aadarshini is thrust into a forbidding darkness, she discovers what it means to become the hero of her own story as destiny tosses her around like a straw in the wind. While events in the capital close in around her, she must seize her fate and overpower not just those who want to see her down, but also her inner demons. In this intriguing historical thriller, the widow of a South Indian patriarch embarks on a journey of self-discovery to take control of her destiny and survive in an uncertain world.

The book deals with the political and administration patterns that prevailed in Andhradēsa before the emergence of British rule. The conventional pattern of studying Medieval History in the past was glorifying the personalities of some kings and emperors. But the present study has been taken up to discover the factual realities that are considered in the form of socio-economic, political and administrative patterns as the essentials for the historical study. This book is an impressive and wide ranging one, examining the political order, material frame works and complex history of Vijayanagar Empire with a particular focus on Andhra Pradesh