Q2. Describe the growth and significance of Hampi as an important trading and commercial town.
Answers
Answer: Hampi: An Architectural Splendour
Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka. It was located in the ruins of the city of Vijayanagara (once the capital of the the Vijayanagara Empire).
By archeological findings, we know that the city was well fortified but no cementing material was used for binding the bricks or stones, rather they were wedged together by interlocking.
The architecture in there was splendid, consisting of the royal buildings with arches, domes, pillared halls, sculptures, well-designed gardens and orchards.
In the 15th and the 16th centuries, Hampi became the centre for various cultural and commercial activities. The markets consisted of traders such as Moors (name used for muslim merchants), the Chettis and the Portuguese.
The cultural activities included celebration of various festivals such as Mahanavami (known as Navaratri now in the sothern part of India), one of the most important festivals of Hampi. Temples became the centre for not only worship but also for the development of various religious and cultural traditions such as that of 'devadasis' (the temple dancers).
Archaeologists have also found the Mahanavami platform, that the kings used to hold meetings and from where they watched various music and dance performances and wrestling matches.
Inspite of all these developments, Hampi, the cultural capital, started deteriorating after the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, as it was defeated by the Deccani Sultans- rulers of the Golconda, Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Berar and Bidar.