My first stop was Penukonda. This town was once the summer capital of the Vijaynagar empire of Hampi. Emperor Venkatapathi Rayalu, Krishnadevray’s successor, appointed Koneti Nayadu as the governor of Penukonda. Koneti Nayadu and his lineage ruled the region for several centuries. Following the catastrophic battle of Talikota, which saw the fall of Vijaynagar, Penukonda even became the capital of the remaining empire. Today, it’s a small town with historical monuments peppered throughout.