The Vijayanagar Empire was a powerful Hindu kingdom that emerged in the southern region of India in the 14th century and lasted until its defeat by a coalition of Muslim kingdoms in 1565. The empire's capital was Vijayanagara, which was one of the largest and most magnificent cities in the world at the time. The empire was founded by two brothers, Harihara and Bukka, who were appointed as governors by the Hoysala Empire. They later declared independence and established their own kingdom. Over time, the Vijayanagar Empire grew in power and size, becoming a major force in South India and the Deccan Plateau. One of the empire's most notable rulers was Krishnadevaraya, who is often considered to be the greatest king of the Vijayanagar Empire. He was a patron of the arts and literature, and his reign is regarded as a golden age of South Indian culture. The Vijayanagar Empire's downfall came as a result of a coalition of Muslim kingdoms, including the Sultanates of Bijapur, Ahmednagar, and Golconda, who joined forces to defeat the empire in the Battle of Talikota in 1565. The battle was a decisive victory for the Muslim kingdoms, and it marked the end of the Vijayanagar Empire. For three centuries, the Vijayanagar Empire stood like a mighty bulwark, protecting the Hindu dharma in the South and in the Deccan. It stood like a rock against the Muslim invasions that had ravaged and destroyed large parts of the North. Today it exists only in stones and stories, but its legacy will forever be remembered.