Now, we were about to explore the royal citadel.
This huge area includes the Queens's bath , Royal enclosure, Zanana enclosure, Hazara-Rama temple, Elephant stables and noblemen's palaces. It was also connected via main streets like pan-supari bazar etc.
The Zanana building are contained in a high walled enclosure. These are constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. (This style was an architectural style movement by British architects in the late 19th century in British India. It drew elements from native Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture, and combined it with the Gothic revival and Neo-Classical styles favoured in Victorian Britain. Source : Wiki)
The construction of the enclosure wall is peculiar in the sense that its thickness decreases with increase in height. The weak construction hints as the wall being used as screen for privacy vis-a-vis
protection against attack.
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| Northern watch Tower, Zanana enclosure |
Though described as watch tower and probably were used partly for that purpose but their architectural style suggests that they were mainly used by the ladies of the Zanana for safely watching events.
There is a flight of steps going up the towers here which not only provides a vantage point but breezy respite from the heat here.
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| Basement of Queens's Palace |
In the centre of the enclosure , is the ruined basement of a palace ,most probably the Queen's Palace as this is the largest building here.
Lotus Mahal
This is the finest bulding in the enclosure and true representation of the Indo- Saracenic architecture.
It is a beautiful pavilion with an upper storey. The construction of the steps is poor as thought being added as an after thought. Stairs lead to rooms upstairs which have windows with wooden shutters reiterating use for the Zanana (Ladies ). Thepavilion is open on all sides and has arches and pavilions to support the rooms above. The pillars and arches are Muslim in style and rest Hindu.
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The Lotus Mahal
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| Splendid display of Indo-Saracenic architecture - Lotus Mahal |
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| Beautiful arches- should have taken a closer shot |
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| Water sprinkler inside the Lorus Mahal |
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| The Elephant Stables |
These are situated just outside the Zanana enclosure. The building is mostly Mohammadan in character. It contains 11 roomy stalls and is oblong in shape. Originally thought of as elephant stables recent opinion claims it might have been the secretariat of king Rama Raya.
Becoming clear to me, that we are reliant on conjecture , accounts of travelers who passed throught the area as there is no precise recorded history of that era present.
As per the ASI book, there is a recently unearthed inscription , a literary work written in 1549 by Vijayanagra poet and architect. Ramayamatya Todaramala. This does throw some light on the period.
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| Inside the Elephant stables |
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| Inside the stable |
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| Inside Elephant stables |
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| Guards' quarters |
This building has been variously identified as Guard's quarters, Treasury, concert hall and recently as building for martial purpose. This building is a reflection of Indo-Islamic architecture.
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| Invaders have left their mark- mutilated elephant |
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| Front of the guards's quarters |
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| Southern watch tower, Zanana Enclosure |
Next stop is the
Hazara Rama Temple
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| Enroute Hazara Rama temple |
This temple is supposed to have been the private place of worship of the kings. Its ornate character and close proximity to the royal enclosure seem to suggest this. It was begun by the great Krishna Deva Rai in 1513. It is the most perfect specimen of Hindu architecture during the Vijayanagar period.
This temple is dedicated to Rama, one of the ten incarnations of Vishnu.
The temple is provided with a beautiful porch in front which leads into a hall.
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| Bas-relief on the outer enclosure wall of Hazara Rama Temple |
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| Our guide explains the scenes from Ramayana |
The bas relief on the inner surface of the courtyard wall and pillars depict scenes from the Ramayana.
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| Carved blackstone pillar inside the temple |
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| Details of carved stonework on the Amman shrine inside the temple |
Pansupari bazaar was once a famous Bazaar street . This is located on the eastern side of the Elephant stables. Our guide told us that even diamonds were traded here once...so difficult to imagine looking at the derelict state it is in.
This is a unique stepped tank which has been unearthed.
This is made of Schist blocks, made at 5 different levels, each connected by ornamental steps.
Each member bears a unique masonary mark implying its exact place in the overall construction ,
indicating that the design was prefabricated. Impressive.
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| Check the water channel leading to the tank |
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| water channel feeding the tank |
Mahanavami Dibba :
This was the hub of religious ceremonies like durga puja, Navaratri, Dipavali. These were publicly
celebrated by the kings here.
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| 3 tiered 12 mt high Mahanavami dibaa |
This dibba is popularly known as the throne platform or house of victory and was built in 3 phases.
In the first phase an imposing platform was built with scenes from everday life of Vijayanagra people. it is during the 3rd phase that it was encapsulated with beautiful schist block.
More coming up in the next blog.
