<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The Vijayanagara Empire (also called Karnata Empire, and the Kingdom of Bisnegar by the Portuguese) was based in the Deccan Plateau region in South India . It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of Sangama Dynasty . The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts by the southern powers to ward off Islamic invasions by the end of the 13th century . It lasted until 1646, although its power declined after a major military defeat in 1565 by the combined armies of the Deccan sultanates . The empire is named after its capital city of Vijayanagara, whose ruins surround present day Hampi, now a World Heritage Site in Karnataka, India . The writings of medieval European travelers such as Domingo Paes, Fernão Nunes, and Niccolò Da Conti, and the literature in local languages provide crucial information about its history . Archaeological excavations at Vijayanagara have revealed the empire's power and wealth . </P> <P> The empire's legacy includes many monuments spread over South India, the best known of which is the group at Hampi . Different temple building traditions in South and Central India came together in the Vijayanagara Architecture style . This synthesis inspired architectural innovation in Hindu temples construction . Efficient administration and vigorous overseas trade brought new technologies such as water management systems for irrigation . The empire's patronage enabled fine arts and literature to reach new heights in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Sanskrit, while Carnatic music evolved into its current form . The Vijayanagara Empire created an epoch in South Indian history that transcended regionalism by promoting Hinduism as a unifying factor . </P>

The remains of vijay nagar empire can be found in