Posts for forts

5 Forts to be visited in Karnataka

Blog, Destinations, Heritage & Culture - GoroadTrip - January 11, 2015

Called ‘Kote’ in Kannada, the forts in Karnataka date back to as many as 1000 years ago. Karnataka saw the reigns of several dynasties from the Kakatiyas and Vijayanagar kings to the Bahmanisand Adilshahis. So it is no wonder that forts played a major part in the history of Karnataka. You can have a glimpse of this history by a visit to some of the many forts of the state.

5 Forts to be visited in Karnataka

Kittur Chenamma Fort, Belgaum:

Belonging to the legendary queen of Kittur, Rani Chenamma, the Kittur Chennamma Fort can tell many tales of the battle against the British led by the queen to save her small kingdom of Kittur. The fort built out of black basalt rock is mostly in ruins today.

Gulbarga Fort, Gulbarga:

First constructed by Raja Gulchand and then fortified by Ala-ud-din Bahman the fort in Gulbarga is an impressive 38,000 square feet in area. It has around 15 towers and 26 guns which are put up for public display. The famous Jumma Masjid mosque in the interior of the fort constructed in Persian style and the tombs of the sultans are major tourist attractions.

Chitradurga Fort, Chitradurga:

The Chitradurga Fort was built by the Nayakas of Chitradurga with the primary intention of defending their city from the attacks of Hyder Ali. But they were defeated by the ruler and the fort was seized by him. The fort is regarded as one of the most picturesque ones as it is in the midst of a valley formed by the Vedavati River. The fort is also popular for the heroics of Onake Obavva, the wife of a soldier guarding the fort.

Bellary Fort, Bellary:

Built on top of the Bellary Gudda in the Vijayanagara reign, the Bellary Fort was constructed by Hanumappa Nayak. It was renovated by Hyder Ali with the help of a French engineer. The Bellary Fort is divided into upper and lower fort. The upper fort with a number of water tanks and a small temple is on the peak of the hill and can be reached by following a rocky winding path. The lower fort area has a Hanuman temple, schools, churches and government and educational institutions.

Savadatti Fort, Belgaum:

Built over a stand-alone hill having borders of exposed rocks,the Savadatti Fort can be approached by road all the way to its main gate. The fort is an irregularly shaped military structure and was constructed in the 18th century.

Almost every district in Karnataka has forts. A visit to them will make history come alive.

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10 Marvellous Forts of Maharashtra

Blog, Destinations, Heritage & Culture - GoroadTrip - September 28, 2014

The state of Maharashtra has a vast number of forts. The forts make a wonderful tourist destination not just for their interesting history but also for their astounding locations. Most of them are snuggled in the magnificent ranges of the Sahayadri Mountains or the picturesque Western Ghats. Pick from these ten lovely fort destinations and enjoy the richness of India’s history and geography.

10 Marvellous Forts of Maharashtra

Raigad Fort:

The Raigad Fort acted as the capital of the Maratha king Shivaji. It is located in the Sahyadri mountain range in the Mahad and stands at a height of 820 meters. It is famous for the Hirakani Buruj wall and the Maha Darwaja.

Pratapgad Fort:

Located near Mahabaleshwar in Satara district, Pratapgad Fort is also known as Valour Fort. It has a lower and upper fort.

Daulatabad Fort:

This fort near Aurangabad is regarded as one of the seven wonders of Maharashtra. It holds several memorable monuments like Chini Mahal and Chand Minar.

Murud-Janjira Fort:

Located in the port town of Murud, the Murud-Janjira Fort is set on an oval shaped rock off the Arabian Sea. The fort is popular for its many secret hideouts and escape routes.

Panhala Fort:

The imposing Panhala Fort rises 1312 feet above the plains in the Sahayadri Mountain range. It is near Kolhapur and is known for its serpents.

Sinhagad Fort:

Strategically built with an intention to protect, the Sinhagad Fort is in the midst of a batch of forts close to Pune and is a very popular monsoon getaway from Pune.

Rajmachi Fort:

Consisting of two forts, the Rajmachi Fort is in the rugged terrain of the Sahyadri Mountains. It is a good choice of destination for a trek.

Vasota Fort:

Situated in Satara, Vasota Fort has all nature’s elements blessing it. It looks over the peaks of Nageshwar and also Shivsagar Lake created by the Koyna backwaters. The road leading to the fort is spectacularly scenic as it runs through the Valley of Flowers (Kaspathar) and the dense jungle.

Sindhudurg Fort:

On the shores of the Malvan Town in the Konkan region, is one of the top five sea forts in Maharashtra, the Sindhudurg Fort. Constructed by Shivaji the fort is a fine example of Maratha architecture.

Torna Fort:

Torna is one of the largest and tallest forts in Pune districts. It is also known as Prachandagad and was the first fort captured and possessed by Shivaji.

 

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