Colin Mackenzie rediscovered the ruins of Vijayanagara (now Hampi) in 1800. This British engineer and antiquary was crucial in documenting and surveying the empire's remnants, being the first to systematically explore and record the site, thus highlighting its historical importance.
While leading the British East India Company's survey of India in the early 1800s, Mackenzie visited Hampi. He meticulously documented its extensive, time-lost ruins, including temples, monuments, and fortifications. His research was foundational for subsequent archaeological work and Hampi's later designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Consequently, Colin Mackenzie is correctly identified as the individual who first brought the ruins to light in 1800.