Penugonda, is well known as one of the capitals of the Vijayanagaras, next to Hampi. Penugonda and its surroundings enjoyed importance as capitals of the different dynasties in the pre-Vijayanagara days and continued to enjoy the historical importance of eminence under the Vijayanagaras. Penugonda geographically occupies a strategic position. It controls a threshold midway between the western ghats and the lowlands of the eastern coast. Located in the dry uplands of Rayalaseema it was not coveted by the rulers of Southern India because it commanded a fertile environment but because the rugged hill on which the fort was built provided them with a stronghold in a crucial area. The Hoysalas established an outpost here so as to defend their conquests against their rivals in the east. When the rulers of Vijayanagara replaced the Hoysalas, Bukka moved to Penugonda. This indicated the thrust towards the south of this newborn empire. Special attention has been devoted in this book to the religious history of this town which was a centre of worship for Hindus, Jains and Muslims as numerous rulers built and maintained temples and mosques. In addition to evaluating the inscriptions, the author has provided detailed plans and descriptions of the major temples and surveyed the images installed in these temples. This will be of special interest to art historians.
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