Yadgir Fort

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yadgir Fort
Part of Yadgir
Yadgir, India
Yadgir Fort.png
A view of the Yadgir Fort - 2018
Yadgir Fort is located in Karnataka
Yadgir Fort
Yadgir Fort
Coordinates16°45′58″N 77°08′24″E / 16.766°N 77.140°E / 16.766; 77.140Coordinates: 16°45′58″N 77°08′24″E / 16.766°N 77.140°E / 16.766; 77.140
TypeFort
Site information
Controlled byGovernment of Karnataka
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionRuins
Site history
Built byYadavas and Feroz Shah Bahamani [1]
MaterialsPink gneiss Stock
Garrison information
OccupantsKalyana Chalukyas, Yadavas, Cholas, Bahmani Sultans, Adil Shahis and the Nizams
Yadgir Fort
Yadgir Fort.png
A view of the Yadgir Fort - 2018
LocationYadgir Town, Yadgir District, Karnataka, India
Architectural style(s)Jain, Indo-Islamic and Shaivite
Yadgir Fort is located in India
Yadgir Fort
Location of Yadgir Fort in India

Yadgir Fort is one of the largest hill forts in Karnataka state. Remarkable architecture and building planning are the key features of this fort. It was ruled by the Kalyana Chalukyas, Yadavas, Cholas, Bahmani Sultans, Adil Shahis and the Nizams. In terms of size and strength, Yadgir fort can be compared to Madhugiri, Chitradurga, Bellary, and Shahapur forts. All these forts are built over rocky hills and have multiple levels.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

The Fort[]

Yadgir Fort is listed in "Lists of antiquarian remains in His Highness the Nizam territories" (NEW IMPERIAL SERIES.) "VOLUME XXXI" prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1900.[6] The fort is built over a massive monolith measuring about 850m long, 500m wide and 100 m high (As mentioned in "Forts of Karnataka" by Centre for Cultural Resources and Training). According to sources, five inscriptions of various time periods have been found in this fort.[9][10][11]

Yadgiri town has grown around the northern comer of the hill that's where the fort entrance is situated. This is the Mahadwara, the entrance gate. Beyond the Mahadwara are a series of gateways which is nothing but a security measure. The whole fortification can be divided on the basis of these gateways from outer to innermost. After entering these gates a long path going uphill with towering walls to the left and deep stone lined water tanks to the right with Yadgir Lake in the background is picturesque. Yadgir had plenty of resources for fresh water, within and outside the fort.[11]

The north-west comer of the hill is located on the edge of the plateau and there are two or three turrets. One of the turrets with cannon has an Arabian or Persian inscription at the tail-end. In the vicinity are several cannons lying about. Also there's a big rectangular structure which might have been soldiers barracks. There is a pair of massive bastions connected by rampart walls with a small passage in it. That is the western entrance to this fort. All the sides and entrances are armed with cannons. This suggests it was surely a well guarded fort.[11]

Sagar Darwazah or Sadar Darwazah (Main Door in town)[]

A little distance to the East of the Shah Yaqub Qadiri's (Dargah) tomb in the town is the Sagar Darwazah/Sadar Darwazah (in Urdu "Sadar" means Head or Main and "Darwazah" means door) , a lofty arched entrance fitted with a large rectangular door-frame( According to book "ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT OF HIS EXALTED HIGHNESS THE NIZAM’S DOMINIONS - 1933" the furnished wooden door-leaves which were in badly decayed condition) on either, side are domed chambers with an arched opening in each face. The gateway formed one of the original entrances of the town and is in sound condition.[12][13]

History[]

The fort is said to have been built by one of the Yadava Kings[14] and hence its name Yadava-giri. Another explanation of the name is Yethu-giri from “ Yethu,” bull the hill resembling a bull lying down. It has some Persian or Arabic inscription; one on Nizam Burj is said to give an account of a visit paid by Nizam ’Ali Khan to the Governor or Nawab in charge. Some records also says that the fort at Yadgir was built by Feroz Shah Bahamani, but it is probable that this was also the site of a fort built by the Yadavas, or the rajas of Warangal.[15] The buildings in the fort are in ruins.[16]

Yadgir fort has a mix of influences, when it comes to architectural styles. There are Jain, Islamic and Shaivite touches in the fort.[17]

Gneiss[]

Yadgir fort is built on a pink gneiss Stock. The pegmatites and aplite's, together with ferro-magnesian assimilations in the pink rock, give it beautiful banded appearance. The hills surrounding Yadgir fort are composed of grey and pink gneisses, medium to coarse-grained in texture, weathering into boulders and forming tors.[18][19]

How to reach Yadgir Fort[]

Yadgir is 500 km (310 mi) north of Bengaluru. Gulbarga airport is the nearest airport (79 km [49 mi]). Yadgir has a railway station (Yadgir railway station). Buses are available to reach Yadgir from Bengaluru. Yadgiri fort is 4 km (2.5 mi) from the city center and can be reached by hiring an auto or mini cab.

Points of interest[]

  • Fort entrance- Mahadwara, narrow, curvy passage and inner doors
  • Bhavani temple
  • Ramalingeshwara temple
  • Wells, canal and water storage facilities
  • Turrets and cannons, some of which are massive with a ten-inch diameter
  • Palace and mosque complex ruins
  • Barracks
  • Underground structures- possibly storehouses or hideouts
  • Flag Bastions
  • View of Yadgir town below

Given the vast area inside the Yadgir fort, so visits may require two to three hours.[20]

References[]

  1. ^ Relations, Hyderabad (India) Department of Information and Public (1953). History and Legend in Hyderabad.
  2. ^ Correspondent, A. (2016-10-20). "'Tourist places to be developed at a cost of Rs. 4 crore'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  3. ^ Survey, Hyderabad (India : State) Geological (1941). Journal. Government Central Press.
  4. ^ Department, Hyderabad (India : State) Archaeological (1953). Antiquarian Remains in Hyderabad State. Government Press.
  5. ^ Relations, Hyderabad (India) Department of Information and Public (1953). History and Legend in Hyderabad.
  6. ^ a b Lists of Antiquarian Remains in His Highness the Nizam's Territories. Office of the superintendent of government printing, India. 1900.
  7. ^ "Yadgiri | BEST Places to Visit in Yadgir | Yadgir Tourism". Karnataka Tourism. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
  8. ^ Census of India, 1981: Karnataka. Controller of Publications. 1988.
  9. ^ Department, Hyderabad (India : State) Archaeological (1953). Antiquarian Remains in Hyderabad State. Government Press.
  10. ^ Hyderabad State. Atlantic Publishers & Distri. 1937.
  11. ^ a b c "A strong hold on the past". Deccan Herald. 2011-01-03. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
  12. ^ Pickthall, Marmaduke William; Asad, Muhammad (1990). Islamic Culture. Islamic Culture Board.
  13. ^ Pradesh (India), Andhra (1959). The Andhra Pradesh Gazette.
  14. ^ Mysore, India Superintendent of Census Operations (1967). District Census Hand Book, Mysore State: Bangalore. Director of Print., Stationery and Publications.
  15. ^ Relations, Hyderabad (India) Department of Information and Public (1953). History and Legend in Hyderabad.
  16. ^ Lists of Antiquarian Remains in His Highness the Nizam's Territories. Office of the superintendent of government printing, India. 1900.
  17. ^ "A strong hold on the past". Deccan Herald. 2011-01-03. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  18. ^ Survey, Hyderabad (India : State) Geological (1941). Journal. Government Central Press.
  19. ^ Srinivasaiah, C. (1970). Report on Quartz Deposits of the Leased Block of Sri Sultan Mohamed Mohiuddin Over 67 Acres at Arkere, Yadgir Taluk, Gulbarga District. Government of Mysore, Department of Mines and Geology.
  20. ^ "Yadgiri | BEST Places to Visit in Yadgir | Yadgir Tourism". Karnataka Tourism. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
Retrieved from ""