Vijayanagara Empire

In this episode, we focus on the Vijayanagara Empire, a major Hindu power that shaped southern India from 1336 to 1646. We explore how the empire emerged in response to northern Islamic incursions and grew into a wealthy, sophisticated state supported by irrigation systems, international trade, and the nayankara military structure. The episode highlights its golden age under Krishnadevaraya, when literature, temple building, and imperial expansion flourished. We also examine the architectural splendor of Hampi, the empire’s role in preserving Hindu traditions and southern Indian identity, and its decline after the Battle of Talikota, which led to fragmentation into smaller successor states.