In a major breakthrough that has thrown new light on the history of Karnataka, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has excavated the remains of a 14th-century palace at the world-famous Hampi ruins in Bellary district. The finding assumes significance as this is the first ever evidence of its kind on the founders of the glorious Vijayanagar kingdom, the Hukka-Bukka brothers.
This place which is believed to have been built between 1336 and 1358 belonged to Hakka who was also called Veeraharihara. The biggest discovery, however, is an image of Bhuvaneshwari, the pedestal of which contains an inscription with a reference to Hakka. The remains were found just one metre below the ground.
Confirming this, ASI superintending archaeologist (Bangalore circle) Kodira P Poonacha told The Times of India, "This is for the first time that we have found an inscription making a mention about the founders of the kingdom."
Another inscription dating back to 1527 refers to the famous Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya, indicating that the palace was in existence for at least 200 years. "The finding is important because this is one of the earliest palace complexes that was occupied by the royal family,"adds Mr Poonacha.
The palace which is referred to as Harihara mane (Harihara's house) in the inscriptions, is a masterpiece in itself. As a Muslim envoy Abdul Razak who visited the kingdom in 1443 said, "Vijayanagar is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it."
The basement is still intact and covered with intricate carvings. The entrance of the palace, for instance, has a row of carved elephants. The structure comprises a central hall with rooms on all sides. It also has an irrigation system to water plants in the palace gardens.
The discovery is said to be of immense importance to historians, as studies are likely to provide them valuable information on the early period of the Vijayanagar dynasty.
Research is still on to determine when the palace, built of mortar amd lime, could have crumbled. One possibility is that it was destroyed by Muslim rulers who plundered the kingdom in 1568 during the battle of Talikota.
Meanwhile, the ASI has taken various steps to conserve what remains of the ruins.
A major problem it has been facing is the encroachment of land in these historic
sites. It has succeeded in evicting encroachment who mostly comprise sadhus,
with the help of police.
But it has not been able to do much about the rows of shops and huts that
have mushroomed on both sides of the road leading to the Virupaksha temple.
During the reign of Krishnadevaraya this was the main bazaar where gems were
openly sold in heaps, on the roadside. But today, the same road resembles a slum.
(Courtesy The Times of India 28 Sep)
