May 11, 2009 04:55 PM
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Chitradurga – The Fort City
Chitradurga is situated 190 kms from Bangalore. Chitradurga is a city located in Karnataka and gets its name from Chitrakaldurga, an umbrella shaped rocky hill found here. This city is known for its boulder strewn landscape, which is geologically supposed to be a part of the oldest rock formations in the country. Historically Chitradurga was a part of the Vijaynagar kingdom. The area is also rich in many mineral deposits and has many gold and copper mines.
According to legend the Chitradurga district dates to the period of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The whole district lies in the valley of the Vedavati River, while the Tungabhadra flows in the North-West.
History tells us that this was the headquarters of the Nayakas, feudatory rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. It location is in close proximity to Chandravalli, and Chitradurga was the capital of Satavahana.
Forts in India reflects the colorful past of India. Chitradurga is one such place famous for its massive Kallina Kote ( stone fort ) which is a great example of military architecture and has massive walls and fortifications.
The Historic Fort is a marvel of military architecture that made it impregnable by the Nayak Palayagars. It has 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, a palace, a mosque, granaries, oil pits, four secret entrances and water tanks. Amidst rocky surroundings inside the fort complex on the hill are many temples.
Its architecture is defensive in design.The Fort of Chitradurga with seven circumambulations surrounds the seven hills of Chinmuladri range. Though the construction of this fort commenced during 10th Century A.D it was completed only in 18th Century A.D.
According to one estimate the total length of the fort is about eight kilometers, Of the seven lines of ramparts 3 are built at the base of the hill while four rows are on the rocky slopes. The inner fort is like a bowl with a cup shaped valley that is more like a plateau, in the middle. There are four main entrance gates with the walls built out of gigantic brown granite stones, and though irregular in size these are cut and placed in such a way that there is hardly any gap, somewhat like a jigsaw puzzle after it is completed. Constructed in a slightly pyramid like shape ensures its stability.
The stone masonry fort of Chitradurga is representative of one of the most daring woman of Karnataka - Obavva . During the rein of Madakari Nayaka, the city was besieged by the troops of Haider Ali. A chance sighting of a woman entering the fort through a crack in the rocks led to a clever plan by Hyder Ali to send his soldiers through the crack. The guard on duty had just gone home for his lunch break and his wife Obavva was his temporary replacement. Noticing the soldiers emerging out of this crack, Obavva was not perturbed.
Using the Onake (wooden stick used for pounding grain) she killed and quietly moved the dead, so that hundreds of them entered and fell, without raising any suspicion. The guard, Obavva's husband was proud to see his brave wife fighting single handedly, when he returned from his lunch break. His wife was standing there with a blood stained Onake and strewn around her were the bodies of soldiers.
Though Obavva’ssincere & brave attempt saved the fort this time, But Madakari nayak could not resist the attack by Hyder Ali. The fort of Chitradurga was lost for Hyder Ali once for all. It was in 1779 that Hyder Ali and later Tipu strengthened the lower ramparts of the Fort, which is now maintained by the Archaeological survey of India.
Archaeological Survey of India records indicate that the Fort existed during the period Hidambavana of Mahabharata fame. This region has even recorded trade with China and Rome.
The surrounding of the fort has many temples. Among them the Ekanatha Temple, Hidimbeshwara Temple and Chandravalli Caves are really worth visiting.
Many kannada films shot in the surroundings of the magnificent fort. One of the biggest kannada movie of seventies, Nagara Havu ( Cobra ) was shot here. This movie introduced Vishnuvardhan & Ambrish to the Kannada Movie Industry. This movie was directed by legendary director Puttena Kenagal. I strongly recommend all to watch this movie. Such movies are made once in a life time. The movie has very well captured the beauty of the magnificent fort. Please watch the movie first, It will be easier to decide & plan your travel.
A very strange phenomenon we noticed in the town was the total absence of birds inside the fort, or even within the city. One possible reason is the hundreds of windmills that stand as sentinel all along the hills that ring the town, that scare away migratory birds. This city is also famous for the Windmills.
Another interesting and unexpected discovery inside the fort is the presence of Kotiraj ,known as the ‘Indian Spiderman’ no mask, now web to spin, he scrambles up the rocky stone edifice of the steep rampart like a monitor lizard.
There is ample scope for trekking, rock climbing and even a bit of mountaineering. One day trip is sufficient to take in the beauty and splendor of Chitradurga Fort.
Other places of interest around the Chitradurga are Brahmagiri ,Nayakanakatte , Vanivalas Sagar,Jogimatti hill station, Jattinga & Rameswara.
