Interpreting the plan of a medieval Hindu capital, Vijayanagara

Despite its sack in 1565, Vijayanagara remains the best preserved medieval Hindu capital in India. An archaeological investigation of its urban layout and chief monuments is currently being undertaken by both Indian and foreign teams. We are particularly concerned to estimate the morphology of the city plan, as well as the forms of individual elements such as walls, roads, gateways, hydraulic works, residential quarters, palaces, civic buildings, temples and shrines. Interpretation of the meaning of the city poses the greatest challenge. Here, notions about kingship, the formation of states, and the role of the capital have to be coordinated with the material record. We believe that forms and rituals at the capital city promoted the identification of the Vijayanagara king with the god Rama.