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Art & Architecture
Architecture, Sculpture and Painting come under Visual Arts. Vijayanagara architecture was of three types: religious, dealing with their temples, civil concerning their non-religious structures and military, pertaining their forts. Four types of forts were built. They were Sthala Durga (Fort built on land), Jala Durga (Fort surrounded by water), Giri Durga (Hill fort) and Vana Durga (Fort built in the midst of forest). Waterworks involving a high level of civil engineering were given equal importance. The kings were intensively pious and manifested their piety in constructing extensive religious buildings. Their special contribution is the erection of Mantapas and Gopuras in temples. The scluptures of the Vijayanagara School are masterpieces of art. " The life of Cholas sclupture is power, and of Badami Chalukyas religion, Hoysala sculpture abounds in jewellery and Vijayanagaras sculptures breaths life." The Mantapas are of the multi-pillared types, having a facade row of remarkably sculptured columns carrying almost full-size monolithic figure sculptures of rearing horses with warrior-riders. "For brilliancy of decorative imagination, the Vijayanagara style of architecture was never surpassed in Hindu India". Pictures of royal portrait sculptures are appearing elsewhere.
Military Architecture
Civil Architecture
Waterworks