A Forgotten Empire' written by the Historian Sewell refers to
VerifiedRobert Sewell's book "A Forgotten Empire" is a detailed historical account of the magnificent Vijayanagara Empire, which ruled over South India from the 14th to 17th centuries. Published in 1900, this work became one of the most important sources for understanding the history, culture, and achievements of this once-powerful empire.
The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 CE by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, two brothers who established their capital at Hampi (modern-day Karnataka). The empire got its name from the city of Vijayanagara, which literally means "City of Victory." At its peak, the empire stretched across most of South India, including present-day Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Telangana and Odisha.
Sewell titled his book "A Forgotten Empire" because by his time, the glory and grandeur of Vijayanagara had largely faded from public memory. The empire had declined after the devastating defeat at the Battle of Talikota in 1565, where a coalition of Deccan Sultanates defeated the Vijayanagara forces. This marked the beginning of the empire's gradual decline, and eventually, the magnificent capital city of Hampi was abandoned and lay in ruins.
The Vijayanagara Empire was renowned for its remarkable achievements in various fields. The empire was a center of learning, art, and architecture. The rulers patronized literature in multiple languages including Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil. The empire's architectural marvels, particularly the temples and palaces at Hampi, showcase the sophisticated engineering and artistic skills of that period.
Economically, the empire was incredibly prosperous due to its strategic location for trade between the Indian Ocean and the Deccan plateau. The rulers maintained extensive trade relationships with Portugal, Persia, and other regions. Foreign travelers like Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz left detailed accounts of the empire's wealth and grandeur, which Sewell extensively used in his research.
Robert Sewell's work was groundbreaking because it brought this "forgotten" empire back into historical consciousness. He meticulously compiled information from various sources including Portuguese chronicles, local inscriptions, and archaeological evidence to reconstruct the empire's history. His book helped scholars and the general public rediscover the significant role that Vijayanagara played in Indian history, particularly in preserving Hindu culture and traditions during a period of significant political upheaval in the region.
