India Series: Hampi

by John M. Fritz, George Michell

Hampi explores one of the most beautiful and evocative of all historical sites in south India.

152 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2004

Reviews

[Saritha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps the most definitive book on Hampi. It describes Hampi as it stands today as well as gives us a glimpse of how it used to be in its glory days. The authors, John M. Fritz and George Michell have directed the Vijayanagara Research Project since 1981.

I took this slim volume along for my trip to Hampi and it proved very useful, especially when you compare the edifice in front of you with its floor plan and old pictures from back when the ruins were excavated. The old pictures were taken by Alexander Greenlaw in 1856. There are also simulated drawings of how some monuments may have looked which, if you ask me, was quite unnecessary.

There are lots of pictures (thankfully not of the ubiquitous flower sellers or monkeys) but of the structures themselves, the detailing in the sculpture and the landscape dominated by boulders.

The best part of the book for me, was the Appendix with a compilation of ancient descriptions (one is from 1420) of the Vijayanagara kingdom by travellers predominantly from Portugal and Italy.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good travel resource. Authors discuss historical and archeological aspects of the area. Sites are catalogued well with pictures and explanations. Contemporary Vijayanagara-era accounts add historical context.

[Kartik Verma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
We see Hampi as it was during its prime and how it was 20 years before(the book being authored in 2003).
All its beauty rusting to indifference.