What does the architecture of buildings like the Lotus Mahal and elephant stables tell us about the rulers who commissioned them?

The architecture of buildings like the Lotus Mahal and Elephant Stables tell us that rulers had adopted traditional Indian symbol, signs and totems. They were Hindus by faith, but they were liberal.

Therefore, the rulers were probably inspired by Indo-Islamic techniques.

Fig. : Lotus Mahal

This figure shows that the combination of architectural features of Indo-Islamic technique have started and had spread almost in all parts of the country. The mixture of culture is an unique feature of India’s heritage.

Elephant stables located very near to the Lotus Mahal of the rulers indicate that the empire had very vast army and troops. They had a large number of elephants in their armies. The economic position of the empire was good because economically a sound state can only maintain huge army and elephants in a large number.

Temples were secret centres of different activities. The rulers were religious-minded. From time to time they use to participate in religious rituals.

The Vijayanagara rulers had to fight many battles and wars with their enemies or neighbours. There were thick forests and during the peace days elephants might have been used to draw very heavy logs from the forest.

Fig : “Elephant stables” located close to the Lotus Mahal