H E R I T A G E D O C U M E N T A T I O N

Kampila, or Kampli, was once the capital of the Kingdom of Kampili, the precursor to the renowned Vijayanagara Empire. Founded by Singeya Nayaka, a defector from the Hoysala Dynasty, Kampli flourished for nearly a century between the 13th and 14th centuries before succumbing to northern invaders. Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Kampli also served as a significant port. Under the reign of Kampile Raya, the kingdom expanded its territory from the Krishna River in the north to the Cauvery River in the south. Today, the remnants of a fort wall and the Pampa Pathi temple are the only testaments to its once glorious past.

Despite its rich 600-year history, Kampli remains little known outside the Bellary district, overshadowed by the more famous city of Hampi.

The settlement, steeped in mythological origins dating back to the age of Rama, exemplifies the region’s traditional architecture with narrow roads and flat-roofed houses featuring verandahs that open onto the street. The intimate scale of the streets and the arrangement of the houses are characteristic of the area, designed to suit the hot and dry climate.Our urban studies collective studio focuses on documenting the people and places of this settlement. We have chosen to document four distinct house typologies: the Brahmin’s house, the Fisherman’s house, the Lingayat farmer’s house, and the wealthy landlord’s house. Through this documentation, we aim to capture the unique architectural and cultural elements that define each of these typologies.