Hampi Aqueducts and Stepped Tanks
Vijayanagara 14th–16th c.·Vijayanagara Hindu·🇮🇳 Karnataka, India
About
About Hampi Aqueducts and Stepped Tanks
Hampi hydraulic – Vijayanagara capital's Tungabhadra canal system: 15 km Raya canal, aqueduct on pillars crossing 2-tier, Pushkarini stepped tanks (6.8m deep chlorite schist, geometric black basalt court), Soolai Bazaar bazaar channel and queens' baths. Tungabhadra 7-channel lattice irrigated 30,000 ha and supplied 500,000 urban population before 1565 Talikota sack.
Why it mattersVijayanagara capital's 15 km canal and chlorite stepped tank geometry
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Hydraulic capacity and catchment reconstruction
- 02Construction labor and failure modes
Theories
- 01State hydraulic power basis
- 02Continuous water governance and resilience
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 14th–16th c.; Tungabhadra canals 15th c.
- Period
- Vijayanagara 14th–16th c.
- Culture
- Vijayanagara Hindu
- Builders
- Vijayanagara hydraulic engineers
- Purpose
- Tungabhadra canal network, aqueducts and 6.8m stepped Pushkarini tanks for capital
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
14th–16th c.; Tungabhadra canals 15th c.
Initial construction
On the ground
Structures & features
15.3350° N · 76.4620° E · 450 m · 3 mapped features
Raya Canal Aqueduct Pillars
aqueduct15 km Raya canal raised aqueduct on stone pillars over river
15.3360° N · 76.4640° EPushkarini Stepped Tank (Chlorite)
tank6.8m geometric black chlorite stepped Pushkarini tank
15.3353° N · 76.4621° ETungabhadra 7-Channel Lattice
canal networkSeven-channel Tungabhadra canal lattice irrigating capital hinterland
15.3330° N · 76.4610° E