A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India

"A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India" by Robert Sewell is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book delves into the rise and significance of the Vijayanagar Empire, a major Hindu kingdom in South India that emerged in the 14th century as a bulwark against the Islamic invasions from the north. Through translations of two Portuguese chronicles from the period, the author illuminates the grandeur of the empire's capital and the political dynamics of the time, including conflicts and interactions with neighboring Islamic states. The opening of the book establishes a foundation for understanding the historical context of the Vijayanagar Empire, particularly highlighting the significant year of 1336 when the kingdom was founded. It introduces key figures from the chronicles, such as the early rulers Harihara and Bukka, and the challenges they faced against the encroaching forces of Muhammad Taghlaq of Delhi. In this initial section, Sewell sets the stage for an exploration of the empire's successes in resisting foreign invasion, capturing both the personal experiences of contemporaneous travelers and the impact of these events on the broader tapestry of Indian history. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Sewell (1845–1925) worked in the civil service of the Madras Presidency during the period of colonial rule in India. He was Keeper of the Madras Record Office and was tasked with responsibility for documenting ancient inscriptions and remains in the region, As with other British administrators of his type at that period, his purpose was not scholarly but rather to bolster administrative control by constructing a history that placed British rule as a virtue and a necessity rather than something to be denigrated. Portrayal of historic factionalism among local figureheads and dominion by alien despots would, it was thought, enhance the perception that only the British could rescue the country from its past.