Anegundi: A Lost Chapter of History

Pratiksha Hemasagar Sahu

Anegundi: A Lost Chapter of History

Across the Tungabhadra River is the fortress town Anegundi, pre-dating Vijayanagara and the city’s 14th-century headquarters. More ancient than Hampi, Anegundi lies in the mythical kingdom of Kishkinda, ruled by monkey king Sugriva (from the Epic Ramayana).

Entrance to Anegundi Village Source: Trip advisor

Whenever one says Karnataka, we always think of Banglore, Mysore, Hampi etc. However, does anyone know about Anegundi? Anegundi is a village situated on the opposite bank of the Tungabhadra River. It is a place that stands in the perpetual shadow of Hampi. Previously serving as the focal point of the Vijayanagara Empire, even preceding Hampi, this location emerges as an extraordinary destination when you venture past Hampi and traverse the Tungabhadra River. Here lies a captivating place adorned with historical and mythological treasures.

Anegundi is the result of the fusion of two words. An elephant is referred to as an ane in Kannada, and a pit is referred to as a gundi. Anegundi, therefore, denotes elephants' pit. It got its name because the Vijayanagara Empire used it to bathe its imperial elephants.

Anegundi, formerly known as Kishkindha, is said to represent the monkey kingdom in the Ramayana epic. The historical site of Hampi is five kilometres away. One of the oldest plateaus on earth is where Anegundi Village and the surrounding area are located. It has allegedly been around for more than four billion years. It is said that this is the birthplace of the monkey-god Hanuman.

Despite the fact that the majority of the palace is in ruins, some parts have managed to remain standing and provide insight into the structure's former magnificence. The palace features protruding windows and wonderfully painted balconies. The palace is surrounded by a fort and contains four towers as well. The Gagan Mahal demonstrates the extraordinary talent of the engineers who lived more than 500 years ago. Despite the lack of air conditioning at the time, the engineers were able to build the palace so that it didn't require any artificial cooling. Even in that ancient times, the palace had a working pool with a water drainage system. Even though the majority of the palace is now in ruins, some pieces have held up and provided views of how magnificent the structures were when they were first constructed.

Anegundi is best visited along with Hampi, as it is part of the World Heritage Site. Hampi is being transformed into a top-notch tourist destination by working with the local population to educate them about their rich cultural heritage and give them a source of income. The semi-rural area, which has a vibrant agrarian crafts culture, continues to preserve its historic past while setting an example for sustainable rural tourism today.

Near Anegundi, there are remnants of Neolithic, Microlithic, and Megalithic civilisations. It is an intriguing mash-up of mythology, legacy, history, and even geology. At Onake Kindi, a number of neolithic houses still display paintings that are distinct and complete. Hire Benekal, Chikkaarampur, Mallapur, Venkatapur, and Anjanahill are the closest prehistoric sites. In the valley of the Tungabhadra River, there are prehistoric rock shelters and murals. The Vijayanagara era is connected to Anegundi as well. Harihara and Bukka fled the Warangal invasion by the Delhi Sultans, arrived at Anegundi, and eventually established the Vijayanagar Empire at Hampi. The Tallarighatta gate is Anegundi's entryway from the Hampi side. The river is crossed in a coracle (boat) which is a circular basket shaped made of cane, and bamboo and wrapped in a plastic sheet.

Anegundi houses many attractions like the Anjanadri Hill, Anegundi Fort, Sanapur Lake, Pampa Sarovar and Hampi. However, a notable highlight remains the Gagan Mahal, an Indo-Islamic architectural masterpiece dating back to the 16th century. This structure was erected to provide the royal women with a vantage point for observing the celebrations in Hampi.

Gagan Mahal belonged to the Vijayanagara Empire. The historic palace is now only a faint remnant of what it once was. Nevertheless, it exudes a vintage beauty and draws tourists to the Hampi route. It is also called the Old Palace. The palace, along with the majority of the other buildings in Hampi, was destroyed by the Mughals' attack in 1565 A.D. One of the many palaces that contributed to the kingdom's beauty at the height of the Vijayanagara Empire was this 500-year-old structure. The palace allegedly formerly served as the Queen's residence. It has complex carvings that showcase the high level of craftsmanship of that time.