Krishnadevaraya's Palace Hampi

During the last visit i had an unfinished agenda to locate Krishnadevaraya's palace.  Based on some clues i began my quest in the right earnest.  The ruins opposite to underground Shiva temple looks very much to be a palace, whether it belonged to Krishnadevaraya was a key question.  I recollected the Paes description that his palace was bound by huge boundary walls, whereas this place was quite barren, without boundary wall coverage, so it must been for a lesser known king of  Vijaynagar empire.

The secret chamber for meetings of the key personnel below is a mild clue for the location of  Krishnadevaraya's palace.  This spot obviously must be in the near vicinity of  his palace, but it is too much of a public place to locate his palace.  Most of the dusherra and other public functions were carried out in this premises.

Where can be palace located with the description and clues from the ASI my search became a long drawn process.  I firmly believe that the location is kept a secret for the fear of vandalism by treasure hunters.  It is quite but natural that even the ruined palace would not be spared it the location is revealed by ASI.  Maybe after the fortification is fully completed we may get to know the exact location of the palace officially.

Paes describes " This palace of the king is surrounded by a very strong wall like some of the others and encloses a greater space than all the castle of Lisbon "

" This is the best provided city in the world, and is stocked with provisions such as rice, wheat, grains, corn, and certain amount of barley and beans,moong, pulses, horse gram, and many other seeds which grow in this country, which are the food of the people, and there is large store of these and sold very cheap." Paes continues in his treatise.

One of the palaces are located in this Mahanavami dibba enclosure, but it cannot belong to Krishnadevaraya simply because it is too much of public place, for security angle it is ruled out.

" On every friday you have a fair ( santhe ) with many pigs and fowls and dried fish from the sea,and other produce of the countryside.  In this city you will find men belonging to every nation and people, and the many precious stones there, principally diamonds " Paes

This locale inside the zenana enclosure happens to house the queens palace and bathing pool, which is totally demolished. Can the location of the kings palace be far behind this secured enclosure which has four watch towers.

Lotus Mahal or the summer palace of the queen is located in the zenana enclosure too.

Ruined structure around the mosque does it imply soldiers quarters ?

 We have a close description of Krishnadevaraya's palace in this very location are the tourists heading towards the same, nope they are interested in the sculptures on the wall of  Hazar Rama temple.

 Behind the Hazaar Rama temple is very well enclosed with the boundary walls can this be leading to the description of the Paes that there was a temple nearby the kings palace.  This temple was considered to be private place of  worship for the royalty.

There is security watch tower in this enclosed boundary wall, can this be a certain clue for the Palace of  Krishnadevaraya.

Some of you might be interested in knowing  in detail History of Krishnadevaraya

 This ruined structure too has a semblance of a palace with huge enclosures can it be the palace which i am hunting for desperately, i don t think so.  It could be the palace of another king of Vijayanagar empire.

Vantage point to search for the kings palace

Noblemen's quarters

Another panaromic view of the Mohammadean centre, and the huge boundary wall enclosure.

To hunt down the location Krishnadevaraya's on the eve of  his  501 year of  his coronation was absolutely a  pleasure.

"The size of this city I do not write here, because it cannot all be seen from one spot, but i climbed a hill whence I could see a great part of it;.....what i saw from thence seemed to me as large as Rome, and very beautiful to the sight, .....in the gardens of the houses, and many conduits of water which flow into the midst of it, and in places there are lakes and the king has close to his palace a palmgrove and other rich fruit bear trees "

This video should give some clue to the exact location of Krishnadevaraya's palace, unless it is officially declared i am constrained not to reveal the exact location guys.  Of course the thrill of locating an important landmark in the annals of history will always be cherished by me.  On the hindsight i know that i have risked in revealing the location to a greater extent.  The signboard too reveals the name of another kings palace but does not specify Krishnadevaraya's Palace.  

ACK :  A Forgotton Empire by Robert Sewell