Vijayanagar Empire

(noun)

A Hindu state based in the Deccan plateau region of South India that reigned from 1336–1646 CE, when it was conquered by the Muslim Sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda.

Related Terms

Examples of Vijayanagar Empire in the following topics:

  • Architecture in the Vijayanagar Empire

    • The Vijayanagar Empire ruled in South India from 1336 until 1646 and left a lasting legacy of architecture, sculpture, and painting.
    • The Vijayanagar Empire was a Hindu empire based in the Deccan plateau region of South India.
    • The empire's patronage enabled its fine arts and literature to rise to new heights, and its legacy of sculpture, painting, and architecture influenced the development of the arts in South India long after the empire came to an end.
    • Pillars of Vijayanagar temples are often engraved with images of yali, or hippogriffs.
    • Describe the key features of religious, courtly, and civic architecture of the Vijayanagar Empire

  • Sculpture in the Vijayanagar Empire

    • Vijayanagar sculpture can most commonly be seen in the reliefs, pillars, and monolithic statues of temples.
    • The Vijayanagar Empire's patronage enabled its fine arts and literature to rise to new heights.
    • Sculpture was integrally linked with architecture in the creation of Vijayanagar temples.
    • Another element of the Vijayanagar style is the carving and consecration of large monolithic statues, such as the Sasivekalu Ganesha and Kadalekalu Ganesha at Hampi; the Gommateshvara (Bahubali) monoliths in Karkala and Venur; and the Nandi bull in Lepakshi.
    • Explain the key traits inherent to the sculpture of the Vijayanagar Empire

  • Painting in the Vijayanagar Empire

    • Painting under the Vijayanagar Empire, which evolved into the Mysore style of painting, is best illustrated in the elaborate wall-paintings of temples.
    • In addition to architecture and sculpture, the Vijayanagar emperors were enthusiastic patrons of painting.
    • The Vijayanagar School of Painting was renowned for its frescoes of Hindu mythological themes on temple walls and ceilings.
    • The rulers of Vijayanagar encouraged literature, art, architecture, religious, and philosophical discussions.
    • Mysore painting, an important form of South Indian classical painting, developed out of Vijayanagar painting and originated in the southern town of Mysore, in Karnataka, during the reign of the Vijayanagar emperors.

  • Nayak Architecture

    • The Nayak Dynasty emerged in South India after the collapse of the Vijayanagar Empire.
    • The Nayaks, former military governors of the Vijayanagar emperors, declared their independence in 1565 and established their own kingdoms, ruling from the 16th through 18th centuries.

  • The Rise of Hinduism

    • During the reign of the Gupta Empire between 320-550 CE, which included the period known as the Golden Age of India, the first known stone and cave temples dedicated to Hindu deities were built.
    • During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Hindu Vijayanagar Empire had arisen and served as a barrier against invasion by Muslim rulers to the north, fostering a reconstruction of Hindu life and administration.
    • Vidyaranya, a minister and mentor to three generations of kings in the Vijayanagar Empire beginning around 1336, helped spread the historical and cultural influence of Shankara, an Indian philosopher of the 8th century CE credited with unifying and establishing the main currents of thought in Hinduism.

  • Nayak Painting

    • Ruling from the 16th through 18th centuries in South India, the Nayak Empire was noted for its administrative reforms, its artistic and cultural achievements, and the creation of a unique style of temple architecture.
    • Thanjavur painting originated under the Nayaks of Thanjavur (anglicized as Tanjore) around 1600 CE, and one can see the influence of Deccani, Vijayanagar, Maratha, and even European or Company styles of painting.
    • Both real and mythical, depictions of animals included bears, elephants, lions, and fish (the emblem of the Pandyas who had ruled Madurai before the Vijayanagar and Nayak rulers).

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  • Naming of the Byzantine Empire

    • While the Western Roman Empire fell, the Eastern Roman Empire, now known as the Byzantine Empire, thrived.
    • The Byzantine Empire, sometimes referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire in the East during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, originally founded as Byzantium).
    • Both "Byzantine Empire" and "Eastern Roman Empire" are historiographical terms created after the end of the realm; its citizens continued to refer to their empire as the Roman Empire and thought of themselves as Romans.
    • Over time, the culture of the Eastern Roman Empire transformed.
    • Just as the Byzantine Empire represented the political continuation of the Roman Empire, Byzantine art and culture developed directly out of the art of the Roman Empire, which was itself profoundly influenced by ancient Greek art.

  • Break from the Seleucid Empire and Rise of the Parthian Empire

    • The Parthian Empire began as a minor revolt against the Seleucid Empire, but became powerful and wealthy because they controlled major trade routes.
    • The Seleucid Empire soon overextended itself.
    • He founded the Parthian Empire in 247 BCE when he conquered the region of Parthia, then a satrapy (province) in rebellion against the Seleucid Empire.
    • The Parthian Empire was also called the Arsacid Empire, after the Arscaid dynasty.
    • The Parthians controlled the major trade routes between the Roman Empire and the Han Empire of China, which became the foundation of Parthia's wealth and power.