World Heritage Series - HAMPI - Archaeological Survey Of India

DETAILS : Publisher: Good Earth Publications / Archaeological Survey Of India ISBN-10: 8187780428 ISBN-13: 978-8187780427 Language: ‎ English Paperback ‏: ‎ 99 pages Weight: 250 g ABOUT THE BOOK World Heritage Series: HAMPI, published by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), is an exquisitely produced, highly authoritative official guidebook. Part of the ASI's acclaimed World Heritage Series, this volume serves as the definitive archaeological, historical, and architectural primer to the spectacular ruins of Hampi—the capital of the historic Vijayanagara Empire and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Karnataka, India. The primary objective of this guidebook is to provide travelers, historians, and architecture enthusiasts with a structurally rigorous, heavily mapped, and visually rich walkthrough of the vast open-air museum. Spanning several square kilometers, the book breaks down the urban planning of the ruins into distinct functional and cultural zones: The Sacred Centre: Deep-dives into the operational history, religious iconography, and architectural evolution of the active Virupaksha Temple, the monolithic Ugra Narasimha, the Badavilinga, and the stunning Achyutaraya and Vittala Temple complexes (famous for its iconic stone chariot and musical pillars). The Royal Centre: Unpacks the secular and administrative heart of the empire, detailing the structural mechanics of the Lotus Mahal, the Elephant Stables, the multi-tiered Mahanavami Dibba (throne platform), and the highly advanced subterranean water-aqueduct networks and royal baths. Historical and Dynastic Chronology: Provides an academic overview of the four successive dynasties (Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu) that ruled from Hampi between the 14th and 16th centuries, detailing its peak under Emperor Krishnadevaraya and its ultimate destruction in 1565. Epigraphic & Conservation Notes: Shares exclusive insights from the ASI’s ongoing excavation, structural preservation, and chemical conservation efforts aimed at protecting the delicate granite and plaster monuments from environmental weathering. True to the high standards of the ASI, the book is incredibly dense with high-resolution site photographs, isometric architectural drawings, elevation blueprints, and a fold-out, color-coded topographic map that allows visitors to navigate the complex landscape systematically. ABOUT THE PUBLISHER The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), attached to the Ministry of Culture, is the premier government organization responsible for archaeological research, scientific excavation, and the conservation of over 3,600 national monuments across India. Founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham, the ASI pairs traditional epigraphic scholarship with modern structural engineering. The editorial team behind the World Heritage Series consists of India's top field archaeologists, structural conservationists, and art historians. Their writing style is highly academic yet remarkably accessible, presenting dense architectural jargon (such as Dravida temple architecture, Adhisthana moldings, and Kudus) in clean, scannable prose. By publishing these official manuals, the ASI ensures that global heritage is documented with absolute historical accuracy.