The Tungbhadra river provided sustenance to which empire ?

The Tungabhadra River provided vital sustenance to the Vijayanagara Empire, which was established in the 14th century. The capital city, Vijayanagara (modern-day Hampi), was strategically located in a natural basin formed by the river as it flows in a north-easterly direction [1]. As the region is one of the most arid zones of the peninsula, the empire developed sophisticated water management systems, including embankments, reservoirs like the Kamalapuram tank, and the Hiriya canal to store and conduct water for irrigation and urban use [1]. The empire's history is deeply intertwined with the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab, a fertile tract of land that was a frequent point of contention and expansion, particularly during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya. The river not only provided water for agriculture but also served as a natural defense and a sacred landscape for the capital [3].

Sources

1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara > 3.1 Water resources > p. 177
2. [3] https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/241/