The historic city of Vijayanagar, capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, is also known by which present name?

Introduction / Context:
The Vijayanagara Empire was one of the most powerful South Indian empires, and its capital city is an important topic in Indian history and geography. Today the ruins of that great capital are preserved at a famous heritage site. This question asks you to identify the modern name used for the location of the historic city of Vijayanagar.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The city mentioned is Vijayanagar, capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. • We are asked for its present day name. • The options list Hampi, Halebidu, Chandragiri, Kondavidu and Badami, all historical places in southern India.

Concept / Approach:
The most direct approach is to recall which modern site is identified with the ruins of the Vijayanagara capital. The UNESCO World Heritage Site known for the remains of palaces, temples and bazaars of the Vijayanagara Empire is Hampi, located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river in Karnataka. While Halebidu, Badami and Chandragiri are also important historical locations, they are associated with different dynasties and periods. Therefore, the correct answer is the option that names Hampi.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Vijayanagara Empire flourished in the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries with a capital on the Tungabhadra river. Step 2: Remember that the present day village and temple town at this site is called Hampi. Step 3: Note that Hampi is widely described in textbooks as the site of the ruins of the capital city of Vijayanagar. Step 4: Compare the options. Halebidu was the capital of the Hoysala kings, Badami was an early Chalukya capital, and Chandragiri and Kondavidu are linked with other regional powers. Step 5: Since only Hampi exactly matches the identity of the Vijayanagar capital ruins, choose Hampi as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
History and tourism sources consistently refer to the site as Hampi, also called the Group of Monuments at Hampi, which represent the remains of the Vijayanagara capital. No standard reference claims that Halebidu, Chandragiri, Kondavidu or Badami were the main capital called Vijayanagar. This clear and repeated association confirms that Hampi is the present name of the historic city of Vijayanagar.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Halebidu: Associated with the Hoysala dynasty in Karnataka, not with the Vijayanagara capital. Chandragiri: Linked to later phases of the Vijayanagara rulers, but it is a different town and not the original capital on the Tungabhadra. Kondavidu: A hill fort region in Andhra Pradesh with its own history, unrelated to the capital city of Vijayanagar. Badami: Famous for rock cut cave temples and as a Chalukya capital, not for being the Vijayanagara capital.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse places because many historical capitals are in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Seeing several familiar names together, they may hesitate between Hampi and another site. A robust strategy is to pair each capital with its dynasty: Hampi with Vijayanagara, Halebidu with the Hoysalas, and Badami with the Chalukyas. This simple mapping helps you avoid mixing up important historical locations.

Final Answer:
The historic city of Vijayanagar is also known in the present day as Hampi.