The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has included Hampi Bazaar in the Class 7 Social Science textbook, highlighting the vibrant trade culture of the Vijayanagara Empire. This addition will become part of the CBSE syllabus in schools starting June.
Chapter 12, titled Understanding Markets, covers the concept of markets, types of transactions, demand and supply, price fluctuations, retail outlets like grocery shops and malls, online commerce, and more. It introduces students to ideas that even SSLC or PU level learners study—such as global trade, imports, and exports.
The textbook presents a vivid illustration of the trading pavilions in front of Hampi’s Virupaksha Temple, flanked by the Basavanna Mantapa and set against the scenic Matanga Hills, reflecting the region’s commercial grandeur during the Vijayanagara rule.
To understand India’s current market systems, it is essential to study their historical roots. The textbook includes foreign travelers’ accounts of Hampi’s market in the 16th century. Portuguese traveler Domingo Paes noted that everything from grains, seeds, milk, oil, and silk to animals like cows, horses, rabbits, and parrots was sold there. Another Portuguese visitor, Fernao Nunez, was equally stunned by the diversity and scale of the bazaar, saying he had never witnessed a marketplace like it. These observations are cited in the chapter to emphasize the significance of Hampi Bazaar.
Hampi Garners National Attention
With 30,822 CBSE-affiliated schools across India, students nationwide will study Hampi Bazaar from June onward. Since UNESCO declared Hampi a World Heritage Site in the 1980s, its global reputation has only grown. Now, its historical marketplace is gaining recognition in classrooms, becoming a lasting part of the academic journey for seventh-grade students.