(a) (i) Colin Mackenzie was an employee of the East India company. He was an eminent engineer, surveyor and cartographer.

(b) 1. In 1815 Mackenzie was appointed the first surveyor general of India and worked till his death in 1821. 

2. For better understanding the India’s past and make governance of the colony easier he embarked on collecting local histories, surveyed historical sites. 

3. He brought to light the ruins of Hampi in the year 1800 and prepared the first survey map of the site. 

4. He supplemented his archaeological finds by embarking on gathering information based on the memories of priests of the Virupasha temple and Pampadevi. 

5. Whether Colin Mackenzie’s efforts in studying Vijaynagara were directed to gain information laws, customs, and other. 

6. Many influencive informations were collected about the natures to help the East India Company. 

7. They raised and stimulated interest of other photographers, historians and epigraphists. 

8. All of these form an important source in the reconstruction of the history of the city and Vijaynagara Empire.