Explain how the fortification and road in the city of Vijayanagara were unique and impressive.

Explanation

(i) Abdur Razzaq, a Persian ambassador in the court of Devaraja-II was much impressed by the fortification of the Vijayanagara empire. They encircled not on the city but also the agricultural hinterland and forests.
(ii) In the construction of the fortification of walls, no cementing agent was used. The wedge-shaped stone blocks held them in place and the inner portion of the wall was filled with earth packed with rubble.
(iii) The fortification started with the enclosing of agricultural tracts. The enclosure had its own features. Abdur Razzaq further eleborates that between the first, second and third walls lie the cultivated fields, gardens and houses.
(iv) According to Paes, " From this first circuit until you enter the city there is a great distance, in which field they sowed rice and had many gardens and much water, in which water comes from two lakes."
(v) The second fortification was done around the inner core of the urban complex while the third was around the royal centre.
(vi) In it, most of the important buildings were encircled by the high walls that were well -guarded gateways and were constructed here to enter the fort. These gateways were constructed in Indo-IsIamic style.
(vii) These gateways were linked to city by roads. These roads have been identified by the archaeologist by tracing paths through gateways as well as by finds of pavements.
(viii) These roads were mainly built in valleys. The most important roads were extended from temple gateways. Bazars were also situated on both sides of the roads.