Vijayanagara: History, Former Names & Timeline
Capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in southern India and perhaps among the largest cities in the world around 1500; sacked in 1565, its ruins are today’s Hampi.
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Former names of Vijayanagara
| From | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1336 | Vijayanagara | ‘City of Victory’ |
| 1600 | Hampi | ruins |
Timeline of Vijayanagara
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1336 | The brothers Harihara and Bukka found the city |
| 1509 | Krishnadevaraya comes to the throne and the empire reaches its height |
| 1565 | After the Battle of Talikota the Deccan sultanates sack the city |
| 1986 | The monuments of Hampi become a World Heritage Site |
Who ruled Vijayanagara
Derived from the border maps; each row runs until the next recorded border change.
| Period | State |
|---|---|
| 500 BC–401 BC | Iron Age megalith cultures |
| 400 BC–324 BC | Hindu kingdoms |
| 323 BC–201 BC | Hindu kingdoms and republics |
| 200 BC–2 BC | Mauryan Empire |
| 1 BC–499 | Satavahanihara |
| 500–599 | Vakataka |
| 600–799 | Pallavas |
| 800–899 | Rashtrakuta state |
| 900–999 | Rashtrakuta |
| 1000–1099 | Chalukya Empire |
| 1100–1199 | Western Chalukyas |
| 1200–1299 | Rajput kingdoms |
| 1300–1399 | minor Hindu kingdoms |
| 1400–1491 | Sultanate of Delhi |
| 1492–1699 | Vijayanagara |
| 1700–1782 | Mughal Empire |
| 1783–1799 | Golconda |
| 1800–1814 | Nizam's Dominions |
| 1815–1879 | Maratha Confederacy |
| 1880–1944 | British Raj |
| 1945–today | India |
Famous people of Vijayanagara
| Lived | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 1471 – 1529 | Krishnadevaraya | Emperor of Vijayanagara |
Nearby cities
Further reading
Questions about Vijayanagara
What was Vijayanagara called in the past?
Vijayanagara has been known as Hampi (from 1600, ruins). Its present name dates from 1600.
Which states have ruled Vijayanagara?
On the historical border maps from 500 BC to today, Vijayanagara lies within 21 different states: Iron Age megalith cultures, Hindu kingdoms, Hindu kingdoms and republics, Mauryan Empire, Satavahanihara, Vakataka, Pallavas, Rashtrakuta state, Rashtrakuta, Chalukya Empire and others.
What are the key dates in the history of Vijayanagara?
1336: The brothers Harihara and Bukka found the city. 1509: Krishnadevaraya comes to the throne and the empire reaches its height. 1565: After the Battle of Talikota the Deccan sultanates sack the city. 1986: The monuments of Hampi become a World Heritage Site.
Which famous people are connected with Vijayanagara?
Krishnadevaraya (emperor of vijayanagara, 1471 – 1529).
Last updated 9 November 2026. Sources: border data from historical-basemaps, land and rivers from Natural Earth; texts written for Chronica Maps from standard reference works. How we make the maps.