Who Discovered Hampi? Colin Mackenzie (1800)
The ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi were discovered in 1800 by Colonel Colin Mackenzie. As the first Surveyor General of India, he produced the first systematic maps and records of the site.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII: Themes in Indian History - Part II
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
2014
Evidence Source
Link ↗Ruins of Vijayanagara at Hampi were discovered in 1800 by:
[CDS 2014 (II)]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
For centuries after the Battle of Talikota, the 'City of Victory' remained a memory among locals. Its formal rediscovery for modern history began with the surveying efforts of the East India Company.
Authentic Source Evidence
In 1800, Colonel Colin Mackenzie, an engineer and the first Surveyor General of India, 'discovered' the site of Hampi. He created the first official survey map by consulting local priests of the Virupaksha temple to identify the various structures.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"How did Mackenzie identify the ruins?"
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"The 'discovery' of Hampi was a crucial step in the British effort to map the historical and cultural landscape of the regions they were conquering."
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