Hampi

WHY IN NEWS?

• SC backs move of Karnataka government to demolish restaurants near Hampi site Virupapura Gaddi.
• Virupapura Gaddi is an oval islet formed by the Tungabhadra river and located west of the Hampi (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
• The court concluded that the constructions were in violation of the Mysore Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1961.

ABOUT HAMPI

• It is a UNESCO world heritage site.
• It was a part of the Mauryan Empire back in the third century BC.
• Emperor Ashoka's Rock Edicts in Nittur and Udegolan—both in Bellary district 269-232 BCE—suggest this region was part of the Maurya Empire during the 3rd century BCE. A Brahmi inscription and a terracotta seal dating to about the 2nd century CE have been found during site excavations.
• The town is mentioned in Badami Chalukya's inscriptions as Pampapura; dating from between the 6th and 8th centuries.
• Hampi was the capital city during the four different dynasties altogether in the Vijayanagar city that came into existence in the year 1336 AD.
• The Vijayanagara Empire reached unfathomable heights under the guidance of King Krishnadeva Raya of the Tuluva Dynasty.
• Chronicles left by Persian and European travellers, particularly the Portuguese are saying that state Hampi was a prosperous, wealthy and grand city near the Tungabhadra River, with numerous temples, farms and trading markets.
• ‘Kishkindha Kaand’ in Ramayana has special significance concerning Hampi.
• It is located near the Tungabhadra River.
• By 1500 CE, Hampi-Vijayanagara was the world’s second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing, and probably India’s richest at that time, attracting traders from Persia and Portugal.
• It has been described by UNESCO as an “austere, grandiose site” of more than 1,600 surviving remains of the last great Hindu kingdom in South India.
• The Vitthala temple in Hampi is an excellent example of Vijayanagar style. The monolithic statues of Lakshmi, Narasimha and Ganesha are noted for their massiveness and grace. The Krishna temple, Pattabhirama temple, Hazara Ramachandra and Chandrasekhara temple as also the Jain temples, are other examples. Majority of these temples in Hampi were provided with widespread bazaars flanked on either side by storied Mandapas.
• Among secular edifices, mention may be made of the Zenana enclosure wherein a massive stone basement of the Queen's palace and ornate pavilion called 'Lotus-Mahal' are the only remnants of a luxurious 'Antahpura'. The corner towers of arresting elevation, the Dhananayaka's enclosure (treasury), the Mahanavami Dibba carrying beautifully sculptured panels, a variety of ponds and tanks, Mandapas, the elephant's stables and the row of pillared Mandapas are some of the important architectural remains of Hampi.
• Recent excavations at the Hampi have brought to light a large number of palatial complexes and basements of several platforms. Interesting finds include a large number of stone images, beautiful terra cotta objects and stucco figures that once embellished the palaces at Hampi.
• In addition, many gold and copper coins, household utensils, a square stepped-tank (Sarovar) at the south-west of Mahanavami Dibba, and a large number of ceramics, including the important variety of porcelain and inscribed Buddhist sculptures of 2nd-3rd century A.D. have also been unearthed.
• Reliefs of Jain temples at Hampi includes Hemkut Jain temples, Ratnantraykut, Parsvanath Charan and Ganagitti Jain temples.
• The Hampi site includes a Muslim quarter with Islamic tombs, two mosques and a cemetery.

Prelims Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Hampi:
1.It is a UNESCO world heritage site.
2.It is located near the Tungabhadra River.
3.It also hosts reliefs of Jain temples.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 and2
b)1 only
c)2 and 3
d)All of the above

Answer to the Prelims Question