As a high school history teacher I can say, you and your team are beyond excellent. I tell my top students about you. They are now all devotees of yours. I am in awe. Do not stop.....please.

Seriously, the fact that you put out such lengthy, well produced, and well researched documentaries can't be overlooked. This channel is better than the History Channel. EDIT: People, stop dissing the History Channel in the comments. I'm giving this channel credit for outdoing a TV channel that has much greater resources, and the constant bashing of another channel isn't uplifting to anyone.

My father was a history teacher but sadly passed away about 10 years ago. Wish I could have showed him this channel. Best presentation on ancient history I have ever seen. Thank you🙏🏻🙏🏻

Thanks a lot for making a video on my culture. Nowhere in our goddamn school curriculum were we able to learn anything even close to this detail and emotional closeness. Thank you so much if I may, from all the Telugu speaking diaspora.

I visited this Kingdom as part of our High school tour . City of ruins overwhelmed me .Reflecting on it after 20 years ..Every WORD in this video is a fitting tribute to VIJAYANAGARA Kingdom .. In today's narrative war, your unbiased and well researched content stands testament to your commitment to truth.. Amazing storytellers ..

This was honestly incredible. As an Indian and living in Karnataka, I’m surprised that I didn’t get learn the grand history of Vijayanagara even in school history classes. I remember learning about Mughal empire and British empire in India for years together but perhaps only a fleeting paragraph on Vijayanagara empire. I cannot thank you enough for making such an elaborate and detailed accounting of Vijayanagara empire. I feel like I have gained a lifetime’s knowledge in these 3 hours. I am even inspired to travel to Hampi and see these runs in real. Thank you!

Thank you for making this episode. My mother tongue is Telugu, and I was only briefly aware of the great VijayaNagara empire. Compelling storytelling! Kudos.

Great Kannada empire 💛♥️. They conquered whole South India and patronized all languages along with official language Kannada Jai Karnata empire

Easily one of the best podcasts available. Paul Cooper and his team do an absolutely brilliant job. Gratitude from the US o/

I have visited Hampi (ruins of Vijayanagara empire) and it is such a beautiful place! It looks like a different planet because of the strange rock formations and boulder landscape surrounding the ruins.

This was so beautiful! Thank you so much for making this feature film length documentary about not just a lost Indian empire, but describing Indian culture at large!

That last bit starting 3:07:01 had me crying by the end. It reminded me so much of that lovely Chinese poem that detailed the destruction and collapse of the ancient Chinese capital of Luoyang in the late 200s AD that you profiled in an earlier video. The reality of life is so inescapable--its transcendence, its beauty, its utter impermanence and fragility. Thank you, again, for ending on the universal truths that define the cycles of life and death. We will never escape them as long as we're humans on this Earth.

Thanks, as an American witt guy, I am fascinated by the history of India. Like most other places, what a beautiful place. I'll never go there but I love you India 🇮🇳.

So happy for this film! I went to Hampi in 1996 as a photographer, shot film after film after film. Sadly, they were later all ruined by a photo lab in Dehli. I’ve been to many places but nothing compares to this. I rented a bike and got around quite a bit. In the warm, lazy afternoons I often went to a small cafe a kilometer upstreams from the village, had a tea and a refreshing bath in the river. Oh glorious memories. Thanks for telling the story of this part of India and letting me see Hampi again.

I am really enjoying the Fall of Civilizations podcast! I watch a lot of videos about history, and this series is the most comprehensive and enjoyable one I've come across. Thank you very much for your dedication to writing and editing each episode is such a spectacular manner.

We travelled to this wonderful place from Goa by train. Our favourite trip ever, we stayed for two nights and will definitely return thanks to this wonderful narration.

These episodes are always quietly chilling, for all the empires of old that thought themselves Invincible, but are now almost forgotten no matter how powerful and impressive they were in their time.

As as Indian, this documentary makes me proud of the rich heritage we have inherited but also sad about countless other countrymen who are unaware and are not able to appreciate this age of Indian history. Thank you Paul for all the hardwork you put into these videos. You should keep in mind that so many out there are always waiting for another one of your podcasts to be released.

Only just discovered this excellent site and gladly subscribe to it! During the two decades, I lived and worked in India I learned to speak Hindi and Sanskrit and studied the history, culture and Hindu religion and I can testify that this documentary is very informative and comprehensive, the best I have ever had the pleasure to watch! Whist in India I spent a month in Hampi, sleeping in the ruined temples at night. It truly is a wondrous place, the accumulated ruins hint at the splendour that must have greeted the eyes of visitors during its heyday! I believe it is a world heritage site and long may it bear witness to a once-great empire! Jai Hind!

As a history lover I am blown away by the quality of these documentaries. Never seen so much research and video quality in any documentary video yet. Keep going strong!

As a child I watched as many history documentaries as I could get my hands on. The narration very much brings back a sense of nostalgia and wonder from then. Your work is more polished than many documentaries I've see, about topics I've rarely seen covered-if at all. Thank you very much! I enjoy every video of yours.

I read the upanishad 10 years ago. There really is no other ancient document more beautiful, and more pure of spirit.

I am from Karnataka state and there is an old Kannada movie song "Apaara keerti galisi....." which beautifully tells that the Karnata empire came into existence on the banks of holy Tungabhadra which washes away all sins and protected by Lord Virupaksha and guided by Sage Vidyaranya the brothers Hakka & Bukka cleared the dense forests of this fertile region where hills abound & clouds float like cotton. They encouraged art, architecture, literature to flourish & gave refuge to all seekers of dharma and after becoming big & famous, they spread peace & prosperity all around. Well, this presentation of Vijayanagara is close to that bard song and is probably the best one on KZfaq. Last time I saw there was an audio version but now there is a new video version. Well done and thanks Fall of Civilizations for this wonderful episode!

Perhaps the single most comprehensive history podcast on any topic I have ever seen. I'd love to see similar content covering any and all civilizations. I really hope you stick to these super long videos, because the background and extreme detail adds to the buildup and makes your content unique. Great work! Keep it up!

I'm not too familiar with Vijayanagara, and when I listened to podcast version of this episode, it was a little hard for me to visualize. Thank you for such a beautiful video documentary!

Ah I'm so happy to see the visuals for this society! I love every one of your videos, the production quality just keeps improving. Thanks so much for your hard work

Thanks a million for creating such high-quality history content. I follow many related channels, but yours is really in another league. I've watched a few episodes, and with each I feel I'm transported to that era, and it's fascinating to see how empires begin, sustain, and that die out - it's great storytelling. You don't just focus on that empire, but also the pre-period, what conditions led to their rise, and what happened after them - which is great context. I'm a North Indian living in US for many years, and this one made me realize how little I know about my country's history. South Indian empires like Vijayanagara were like a passing comment when I was in school, and it's only over recent years I've come to know of their magnificence (incl Cholas, Pandyas etc.). This video has inspired me to go and visit Hampi the next time I visit my family (fingers crossed). Just brilliant work, and thank you once again.

The Vijayanagara empire is epitome of musical and literary prowess with Karnatic music and Kannada literature. And the architectural feats achieved are unfathomable to even todays visitors.

Oh awesome! Vijayanagar is one of those countries I only really knew about from EU4. Glad to see someone doing a documentary on it!

Absolutely edifying account of the complex intersection of politics, religion, ethnicity, art, and music that has been the long history of the Indian subcontinent. I confess that, though I’ve taught classes on Hinduism, the *Bhagavad Gita,* excerpts from the *Rg Veda,* the *Ramayana,* the *Upanishads,* the *Mahabharata,* and some of the *Brahmanas* and *Puranas,* I was unfamiliar with much of the history of Vijayanagara, and am humbled by this podcast. I’ve immensely enjoyed every episode of Fall of Civilisations.

Thank you Paul for the well researched and illustrated history of the Vijayanagar empire! Looking forward to more from South India, the thalassocratic Chola!

This podcast not only covered the Vijayanagar Empire but also showed a glimpse of the India's history as a whole. The Vijayanagar Empire was one of the most important kingdom in Karnataka & South India. Krishnadeva Raya was one of its most important ruler & was from Tulu Nadu (coastal region of Karnataka). It was under his rule that the kingdom flourished. Tenali Rama was one of the wise Ashtadiggajas in his court. This video has provided us a gr8 glimpse of the rise and fall of Vijayanagar Empire. All civilizations rise, reach its zenith and fall. We may think that the life of a King is to live in splendor, but we can see that it is not the case. He has internal and external enemies. We as Kannadigas are proud of Vijayanagar Empire. The kingdom was prosperous in richness in wealth and knowledge. Thank you for this splendid podcast. This will help the younger generation to learn about our ancient history. Glory to Vijayanagar Empire, Glory to Karnataka, Glory to Bharat ❤

Vijayanagar empire brought the golden era in south india. It brought renaissance in temple architecture, Virupuksha temple. One must visit the ruins of hampi

one of the most unique landscapes on the planet. I've never seen anything similar anywhere else

ಈ ವೀಡಿಯೊ ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕವಾಗಿ ನಿಖರವಾಗಿದೆ. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯವು ಅನೇಕ ಮಹಾನ್ ರಾಜರನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದೆ!

Paul cooper and his team are the reason I keep my you tube premium membership up to date … you guys are marvelous, greetings from the USA by a Argentine fan of your channel

Having traveled in India for some years myself including a visit to Hampi 30 years ago I have just one comment. "Huge Wow" for this monumental wonderful work.

Nice production. A few points: 1. The Vijaynagar Hindu Empire ensured the continuation of Peninsular Hinduism in the face of Islamic Jihad for over three hundred years. 2. The cultural and intellectual and technological flowering achieved were sources of wonder to even the post-Renaissance Europeans. 3. The empire lasted far beyond Talikota-defeat though. It continued pushing back against the Turkish and Afghan invaders with many great victories ( look up the Aravidu dynasty). 4. This was done till the torch passed to the Maratha Hindus. The VIJAYNAGAR SAMRAJYA on the Krishna River basin served as a Bulwark of Peninsular India against raging Islamic Jihad. Modern Indian mainstream history needs to take a closer look at this important chapter of Indian history.

Absolutely fascinating. I was familiar with the history since im from karnataka.I was puzzled by where you started started with the delhi sulthanate. But I see the global context much better now. Easily the best channel on history and one that ive recommended to all my friends.

I have been several times to Hampi since 1972, stayed for tree month on the first visit. The grandeur described in this great documentary can be guessed by the grandeur of its ruins. I just want to mention a detail of one of the temples that still stands, the Vitala temple , the temple of hundred columns also known as the music temple, the great stone columns have smaller columns carved around them that give perfect musical notes when struck , in the past sticks of sandal wood seem to have been used but even with the hand the musical sound is clear. Different columns have different scales, I guess that any musical composition could be played on this great stone instrument. The last times I was there the temple is protected with a fence, to prevent the increased number of tourists, everyone wanting to hear the sounds, to put in danger the old structure .

I can't wait to watch this later this weekend! Thank you so much for this series. I'll be sharing this video far and wide as this series has been powerfully enriching so far.

2:49:00 from whatever i have read about vijayanagar , it's that vijaynagar's army was betrayed by the two muslim officers who joined the deccan sultanates with 30,000 men each.

Vijayanagara empire one of my fav and one of the best empires in india. But they were constantly at war wirh bahmani sultanate. But they archived great success. First i read this empire in grade 7. I love indian history. Actually i am addicted i read many indian history books. Brilliant doc. Love from Sri Lanka ❤️🔥. 🇱🇰🤝🇮🇳

These videos are all written and produced brilliantly, thank you

Dazzling scope, context and erudition beyond expectations. Here is the rare edification the documentary genre is capable of.

This was beautifully executed. I latched onto every word. I learned more about this culture in 3 hours than I did in 13 years of schooling. Thank you!

I can’t believe I just watched a 3 hour plus KZfaq video😀 I even rarely watch movies.. Well done👍 Really enjoyed it!

A visit to this place fills with a sense of melancholy, both civilization and nature are in ruins. Looks like another world. Thank you for this documentary, best documentary on vijaynagar.

these documentaries are literally better than any ive seen on tv in decades. i used to watch the history channel for documentaries when i was a kid and now its all "reality tv" trash. i cannot thank you enough for your dedication to information and education

Thanks for the next top notch documentary. An empire that was totally unknown to me (history master). Shame on me, now I praise you and your team. That awesome quality and depth of your documentaries convinced me to become Patreon some months ago and now I am a little bit proud that I could support your efforts.

Being a telugu speaking person. Sri krishna devaraya and vijaya nagara empire holds a special place in our hearts. His contribution to telugu language is invaluable. Thank you for this wonderful podcast. The visuals and your commentary made me feel like i was part of the day to day life in hampi.

Thanks, this is indeed a heart felt recounting of this glorious episode in the history of South India, and the Rise and Fall of a civilization that was rich in countless ways and yet laid waste by the ravages of time

Even though I am Indian, I never managed to learn about my country’s history, especially once I moved overseas. We give too much attention and importance to Western history, even in India, and India’s past empires, cultures, traditions and art is forgotten or ignored. Thank you for making this podcast about Indian history and teaching me something about my own country’s past. Words cannot explain how happy I was when I saw one of my fav history content creators had released something about India.

An excellent piece of work! - However, a small technical mistake has happened on the description of the Ganges River at 23:50. The river does not flow from the East to the West into the Bay of Bengal, but the opposite way from the West to the East... I am sad to have to mention this little mistake but cannot let it be unnoticed as it is an important fact. It does not devalue this great work at all but has to be noted. Nevertheless, all my respect for your great series of work which I have fully listed in my own channel. Thank you very much !!

As an Indian I'm Ashamed that I was never taught about the rich history about Indian ruler of my country . All i was taught was about the Mugals Thank you for this eye opening documentry 🙏🏻

I spent a week or so at the ruins of Vijayanagara in 1989....a fantastic place that you have really brought to life........👍

This was fantastic and a part of history that doesn't usually get the recognition it deserves! Nicely done

I just wanted to say thank you for putting out quality documentaries like this. I do a lot of travel in my job and being able to listen to something interesting and educational like this on airplanes or the highway is a lot better use of that time then filling it up with things like Joe rogan's podcast.

This video means a lot to me. I still remember watching it last summer and being so very enthralled. I felt like I was transported to the Vijayanagara of yore. And Aruna Sairam garu's voice is divine! This video prompted me to read the Amuktamalyada. I've only read a translation of it (the Srinivas Reddy one), and yet it has had such a profound impact on me, that I often tell my family that there was 'me' before reading it, and then there's 'me' after. I found faith. Not the religious or ritualistic kind, but the beautiful, spiritual, and loving kind. The kind that fills you with gratitude. I cannot say I've found the answers to all my questions, but I've found that if I seek something truly, I shall find my way towards it. And that's a very beautiful and content feeling. FoC has also taught me another important thing. All those empires - Vijayanagara, Rome, Ottoman... How lofty and grand were their pillars; how exquisite all their silk and gold. And yet, they all fell. I often wonder what their people must have felt like when these empires and civilizations were at their peak. "This is forever," they must've thought. In hindsight we know that they weren't. We scoff at their ill thought battle strategies and ego, as if we could've done any better in their shoes. But for every pillar that crumbled under the might of time, our veneration for the Krishnadevarayas and the Ciceros only grew. They cemented for themselves a permanent place in people's hearts. I learnt that at the end of the day, nevermind all the palaces and gems and fineries one acquires. All that remain are people. How they treated others and the values they had. In fact, there are so many we don't even know of. To them, I have this beautiful verse in Telugu to say: ఎందరో మహానుభావులు, అందరికీ వందనములు! (There are so many great people. To all of them, I bow down.) Those last five minutes on the Pandya raja's questions, with Kannan Varuginra Neram playing in the background, will never not be my favourite five minutes on KZfaq. 🤎 Thank you so much! 🙏

To describe this beautifully presented historical narrative as epic would not do it justice. I was immediately drawn in by the excellent story telling and knew that I would be here until the end.

This is what I've been waiting for. Thank you so much for these videos.

Hats off man 🙏 I never thought you'd do am episode on an Indian civ 🇮🇳

Unbelievable work! I have NO interest in the history of India and I could NOT stop watching. Thank you for this extremely well done and educational program.

What a masterpiece !!!! Watching this from Madaraspattinam (Now its Chennai)!!

The best history channel on KZfaq.

I can't express in words how much I enjoy these videos. They bring me into a sort of meditative trance, the same way reading can do. They awaken all senses and truly transports you through history and culture. I see, hear, smell, taste and feel all the beautifully described scenes and events. I refuse to do anything else while watching and listening to these, they deserve ones full attention and imagination. Truly, Thank you!

Excellent documentary. Highly cultured Krishnadevaraya, a just ruler, patron of arts and poets of highest calibre whose works are enjoyed even today, stands tall among India's all time greats. The buildings and temples might be in ruins or have vanished, But the values Krishnadevaraya stood for and promoted are alive even today and will live forever. Every ruler is like Ozymandias! I hail from the area and have been nourished in childhood with stories about him. Still, I learned from this documentary. Thanks for that. Look forward to the other documentaries.

Greatest podcast on KZfaq. Please return to India, its an absolute goldmine of history:- Maurya Empire! (Largest Buddhist Empire ever) Maratha Empire! Satavahana! Gupta Empire (my favourite and one of the most influential in history)!

Watching this from Bangalore, Karnataka. Thanks for the well-researched video! Love the visuals and narration too.

I really like that you give us a minute of the original language before fading into the translation. Nice touch! 👌👏

I loved how you walked thru the history before getting to 15th century Vijayanagara... very well researched and narrated.. thankyou!!

I have this playing in my earphones for about 2 months just to sleep with, recently started watching them while I'm conscious and I really like it. Thank you for the sleep and the knowledge😮

Thanks for this video. South Indian and Tamil culture is my favorite. It's Old and golden and will always remain the richest and true culture of India. 🔱🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Thaaaank you Praveen! Such a fascinating temple that I will never see with my own eyes but have been blessed by Ma Duga to see through yours! People don't understand how exceptionally rich and historical India and her people are! Thank you for this small window into her fascinating history! It was presented in a professional, educational manner, equal or even superior to professional archeologists and their sites! Kudos to you!

I loved this. There are too many reasons to state why, but it's an awesome, visually beautiful, in-depth and highly informative production. The Carnatic music brought tears to my eyes, I haven't heard any in years now and did not realise how much I missed it. So soothing. I think mostly this production touched me because being raised in the West, we never learn any of this. I mean NONE. When I took World Civilisation in University, we stopped at Mesopotamia. The professor wouldn't even entertain any history further East as tho there were no civilisatioms worth mentioning in the East. I really wish I knew some of this amazing history when I lived in India for a decade. It might have affected the places I visited. Jai Bharat.

I spent a couple months in 07 in India, it's cliche but it truly changed me. This is so beautiful

aw yessss!! i was just waiting for the visuals to be shown, cos i've been to hampi and it's very difficult to describe in words how strange the local landscape looks and how beautiful the city looks surrounded by giant stones from which it is made. a really lovely place, hope you can visit and check it out one day! :)

I have travelled in India on several occasions but sadly Hampi has always somehow eluded me. Watching this superb documentary with all the excellent videography and story telling, I can feel that I have been there. Thank you so much.

I keep rewinding because I am just taken in by the beautiful architecture of these buildings. For so long we keep seeing European buildings but these are on another level with detail and originality. Watching these episodes is like a deep meditation. 🙏

It's been out for less than two months and I have watched it at least 10 times. Every video in the series is so exceptional that I have lost count as to how many times I have watched or listened to them.

I can't wait to watch this tonight!!! Thank you for yet another wonderful episode of FoC. :)

I would like to thank Paul and his team for another superb episode. I wish that the BBC etc would televise your series so that you could reach a greater number of people. Also to show them how to truly make a top quality program content, and not all about the presenter’s egos. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Amazing history of South India. One of the greatest empire..Thank you Fall of Civilizations another excellent video.

Indian culture and history is so underrated and amazing. I wish there was as much enthusiasm for it as there is for European-adjacent stories

I was so excited when I saw this was up! Thank you for your amazing historical videos they are my favorite

I live for these documentaries! You just made my Friday!

This is an amazing piece of work. Great narration and the chronology of the events chosen is absolutely spot on. I hope you will continue to produce more such publications on India’s history and its other dynasties. Kudos to you and your team. Namaste!

How how HOW is this so beautiful and well done!?!?!? Those "history/ documentary" channels with deep pockets should be hiding their heads in absolute shame. This channel is a wonder. Thank you so much.

Very well done. This is a great extract at the end. Buddhism and Hinduism are quite similar in this sense.

As the letters come into view in unison with the pianoic melody...THE FALL OF CIVILIZATIONS immediately I get chills. Absolutely love these videos!! Fantastic job sir!! Thank you!! 🙌

This is my first time watching/listening to any of your content, and I have to say that I am utterly astounded. The quality, comprehensiveness, and emotional storytelling of these real-life events are beyond belief. If anybody is looking through the comments section thinking, “Uggg but this is three hours? Should I really watch it?” The answer is yes. You absolutely should.

Thank you for the amazing documentary and coverage. I hail from Karnataka and never Vijayanagara and Krishna devaraya in this detail.

What an absolute masterpiece! Would love to see a similar documentary one day about Vijayanagara's arch rivals- the Gajapatis of Orissa/Odisha. Their empire is far less talked about than it deserves.

There aren't any other podcasts I listen to at all, let alone again when the video version of the same appears. I get transported to these places and find myself there for a time. How amazing it would be to see these places in their hey day.

Magnificent.......thats all I can say.....and thank you.....

Paul, thanks for your channel. Truly. I have depression and I've been a long-time fan of your work. It helps me a LOT on forgetting about the problems I have. I hope you read that. Thank you once again, hehehehe =).

Thanx a lot man, You are several steps ahead of the institutional channels.

A very soft and strong account of the history of this great country India Soft in the sense of absorbed knowledge. Thank you

As always these histories do not disappoint. I love listening to the long format and well rounded history. Thank you.

Yours is the most comprehensive account of the historical events, I've ever come across. Thanks, my friend.