In history, we often learn about massive empires like the Romans, the British, and the Mughals.

But have you ever heard of Vijayanagara? At its peak, it was unimaginably wealthy, with bazaars that sold gold and diamond jewels by the jar, and yet so much of that legacy gets forgotten or rewritten through a Euro-centric lens, even in Indian history books. After the Battle of Talikota in 1565, the city was devastated and looted for over 6 months straight, leaving behind just stone: scorched, silent, and still breathtaking.

What hit me hardest was the artistry - temples where carved pillars play specific musical notes, turning architecture into music during rituals. Every wall is a carved record of a cosmopolitan culture. It's sad to see that what's left is barely preserved, because unlike Rome, it does not get the same attention and appreciation.