Aneesh Bhargav

Lessons from a weekend at Hampi:

1. In the early mediaeval period, armies used to mainly consist of footsoldiers and elephant cavalry (horses were used but in limited capacity). But in the 13th century onwards, horses became much more popular, allowing kings to assert their dominance across much larger empires, since they could ride from one town to another at great speeds. Mediaeval Indian rulers would import expensive purebred horses from the Middle East, and they gradually became an important pillar of the king's military force.

2. The third image is from the Anjanadri Betta, the hill where Lord Hanuman is believed to have been born. You can see most of Hampi and a great view of the Tungabhadra River.

3. Many of the 'mantapas' or covered platforms you see in Hampi had various uses, from performing marriage rituals, to selling goods, to giving teachers a space to sit and tutor their students.

4. The slender pillars in the last image weren't added or attached to the stone edifice of the temple. They were literally carved out of the granite, leaving a hollow space around it. You can imagine the incredible skill of the stonemasons if Vijayanagara to be able to precisely cut the rock in such intricate shapes without damaging the rest of the rock, and it surviving for hundreds of years in pristine condition.

Do you know any Hampi or Vijayanagara facts? Drop them in the comments! More like this to come

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