Photo 212/7(10)

Genre: Architectural Photography

View of the lower storey of a ruined tower, probably the building described in John M. Fritz, George Michell and John Gollings, 'City of Victory, Vijayanagara' (New York, 1991), p. 101 as a 'multi-domed watchtower'. Another copy of this print at Photo 1000 (3148). Lyon's 'Notes to accompany a series of photographs prepared to illustrate the ancient architecture of Southern India' (Marion and Co., London, 1870), edited by James Fergusson, gives the following description of this photograph: '500 - The building here represented is also said to be a portion of the Washerman's Bungalow, but it has much more the appearance of a Mussulman's tomb. It is a solid mass of masonry below; the staircase in the wall close to the door leading to a small chamber in the upper storey. It stands in an angle of a large enclosure surrounded by a high wall, the whole of which is highly cultivated. Continuing along the road to Humpee, it passes through one of the old city gates; and on every side enormous boulders of rock are seen disposed in the most fantastic and grotesque manner. Among these have been built innumerable porches, now all fast going to decay. About a quarter of a mile further on, the subterranean palace is shown; it is a large underground passage, faced with cut-stone, extending about 50 yards, with generally several feet of water in it, except in very dry seasons. The road next passes an old ruined temple, surrounded with a high wall, which, as worship is still performed there, cannot be entered; and after passing some low-lying rice fields, a hill is ascended; and after passing through a ruined gateway, the visitor enters the outer court of what has once been a large temple.'