Domingo Paes, a 16th-century Portuguese traveller, equated Vijayanagara to Rome, highlighting its architectural splendour. What made Vijayanagara the epitome of urbanisation in pre-modern South India? (Answer in 150 words)

Paes described the capital of Vijayanagara Hampi as "too big for the eye to see in one direction" and among the finest cities of Earth.

Vijayanagara was the South Indian Epitome of urbanization because:

① Possessed a thriving urban community with central markets trading in spices, gemstones

③ High achievements in architecture:

④ Secular administration promoting equally with presence of mosque with Hindu baroque features (and arcade Hindu temples and state buildings)

⑤ Domes in Queen's Bath

⑦ State sponsored public infrastructure was given priority

⊕ Durvayi III 's reservoir projects on Tungabhadra

The empire of Vijayanagara was a melting pot of global and local culture in ancient south India.

⑤ Secular administration promoting equality with presence of mosque with Hindu baroque features (and arcade Hindu temples and state buildings)

⊕ Domes in Queen's Bath

⑦ State sponsored public infrastructure was given priority

⊕ Durvayi III's reservoir projects on Tungabhadra

The empire of Vijayanagara was a melting pot of global and local culture in ancient south India.