Vijayanagar

Vijayanagar, a ruined city 8 miles in circuit, in Madras province, about 40 miles to the NW. of Bellary, in a plain encumbered with granite rocks, many of which have been rudely sculptured into a variety of forms. After having been for two centuries the metropolis of a powerful Hindu kingdom, Vijayanagar was sacked and ruined by the Mohammedans of the Deccan in 1565. At that date it is described as 24 miles round. The ruins of the ancient city, the building of which was begun in 1336, now cover 9 sq. m. The modern village on its site is called Haampi; pop. 700.