Nagaraja Rao worked for years at Vijayanagara.

Introduction:
Vijayanagara was a prosperous and wealthy empire that flourished in South India during the 14th to 16th centuries. It was known for its remarkable art, architecture, and culture. Many scholars and historians have worked on the history and culture of Vijayanagara.

Nagaraja Rao:
Nagaraja Rao was an Indian archaeologist and historian who worked for years at Vijayanagara. He was born on 22nd June 1922 in Mysore, India. He graduated in History from the University of Mysore in 1946 and completed his Masters in Archaeology from the same university in 1948. He worked as an Assistant Archaeologist at the Archaeological Survey of India from 1950 to 1955 and later joined the Mysore State Department of Archaeology.

Contributions:
Nagaraja Rao made significant contributions to the study of Vijayanagara. He conducted many excavations and surveys in the Vijayanagara region and discovered many historical sites and monuments. He also published several books and research papers on the history, art, and architecture of Vijayanagara. Some of his notable works include:

1. Vijayanagara: Origin and Growth (1956)
2. Hampi: A Medieval Metropolis (1985)
3. The Vijayanagara-Nayaka Portraits in the Nayaka Temples (1967)
4. The Vijayanagara Temples at Tadpatri (1968)
5. The Vijayanagara Courtly Style (1976)

Recognition:
Nagaraja Rao's contributions to the study of Vijayanagara were widely recognized and appreciated. He was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards, in 1976. He was also honored with the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award in 1991 for his book "Hampi: A Medieval Metropolis". He passed away on 29th May 2010 at the age of 87.

Conclusion:
Nagaraja Rao's work on Vijayanagara has been of immense value to the study of South Indian history, art, and culture. His dedication and contribution to the field of archaeology and history will always be remembered and appreciated.