The Famous Chitradurga Fort

Chitradurga (ಚಿತ್ರದುರ್ಗ in Kannada) is a city located in the Indian state of Karnataka. Chitradurga gets its name from Chitrakaldurga, an umbrella-shaped lofty hill found here. Tradition dates the Chitradurga district to the period of the Ramayana and Mahabharatha.The whole district lies in the valley of the Vedavati river, with the Tungabhadra flowing in the NorthWest. Image File history File links copyrighted Image. ... Image File history File links copyrighted Image. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... It has been suggested that Divisions of Karnataka be merged into this article or section. ... The Rāmāyana (Sanskrit: रामायण, march or journey (Ä€yana) of Rāma) is part of the Hindu smriti, written by Valmiki. ... The Mahabharata (Devanagari: महाभारत, phonetically Mahābhārata - see note), sometimes just called Bharata, is the great religious, philosophical and mythological epic of India. ...

Geography

It has tumkur in south east is shimoga, davangere and chikmangalur and west is it has AP's Ananthpura. The hilly region with lot of forts and villages. Chitradurga is also name Taluk.

Taluks and villages are

History

Bold rock hills and picturesque valleys. Huge towering boulders in unimaginable shapes. That is Chitradurga for you. This place is not known as the "Place of stone fort" (Kallina Kote) for nothing. The landscape looks much like a mischievous giant's playground - with boulders thrown around, forming awesome silhouettes against he sky. And that could be true! According to a story in the Epic Mahabharatha, a man-eating gaint named Hidimbasura did line here on the Chitradurga hill - a source of terror to everyone around. And then Pandavas came here with their mother Kunti in the course of their exile and Bhima had a duel with Hidimba. Hidimba was slain by Bhima and peace returned to the area. These amazing boulders could well be part of the arsenal used during that duel! Seriously though, these boulders and the major part of the city rests on belong to the oldest rock formation in the country. In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu, by his two wives Kunti and Madri. ... In Hinduism, Princess Kunti is the mother of the Pandavas. ... A mortif depicting Bheema in the battle ready posture. ...

The former military personnel, Timmana Nayaka rose to the rank of Governor of Chitradurga as a reward for his excellence in military achievements, from the Vijayanagara ruler. His son Obana is known by the name Madhakari Nayaka. Madakari Nayaka's son Kasturi Rangappa succeeded him and consolidated the kingdom to rule peacefully . As he had no heirs to succeed him, his adopted son - the apparent heir was enthroned but got killed in few months by the Dalavayis.

Chikkanna Nayaka, the brother of Madakari Nayaka II sat on the throne in 1676, and his another brother succeeded him with the title Madakari Nayaka-III. The unwillingness of Dalawayis to accept Madakari Nayaka-III's rule gave an opportunity to one of the distant relation Bharamappa Nayaka to ascend the throne in 1689. Somehow, the subjects of Chitradurga did not experience a good reign of their rulers as they lived on the throne for very brief period. The Hiri Madakari Nayaka (1721 - 1748), Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka-II, Madakari Nayaka-IV succeeded one after him and there is nothing to mention of their rule.

Obavvana Kindi (The crack), Chitradurga Fort.

During the reign of Madakari Nayaka, the city of Chitradurga was besieged by the troops of Hyder Ali. A chance sighting of a woman entering the Chitradurga fort through a crack hole in the rocks led to a clever plan by Hyder Ali to send his soldiers through the crack hole. The defence guard on duty of the port near that crack hole had just gone home as usual asking his wife to guard till he is back from his lunch. The wife of that guard, Obavva while in her temporary seat, noticed the soldiers emerging out of this crack, Obavva was not perturbed. As she was carrying with her, the Onake (a wooden long club meant for pounding paddy grains) she killed and quietly moved the dead, so that hundreds of them entered and fell, without raising any suspicion. The guard, Obavva's husband, upon his return from his lunch was shocked to see Obavva standing with a blood stained Onake and hundreds of dead bodies of the enemy fleet around her. The passage still remains as a historical witness for the story, beside the Tanniru DoNi -a small water source which holds cold water all round the year. Though her sincere brave attempt saved the fort this time, Madakari could not resist the attack of 1799 by Hyder Ali. The fort of Chitradurga was lost for Hyder Ali once for all. Obavvana Kindi, Chitradurga. ... Obavvana Kindi, Chitradurga. ... Hyder Ali or Haidar Ali (c. ...

The place is renowned for its Kallina Kote ("the place of the stone fort"), and is home to the "Fort of Seven Rounds" (ಏಳು ಸುತ್ತಿನ ಕೋಟೆ in Kannada), built with large stones. Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

The Chandravalli Caves are also a very popular tourist site at this historic place.

The stone masonary that the fort of Chitradurga is representative of one of the most daring woman of Karnataka - "Obavva."

The Fort of seven rounds (ಏಳು ಸುತ್ತಿನ ಕೋಟೆ)

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. It is on a hilltop with a good view of the surrounding plains. A secret passage is a hidden route that is used to travel stealthily. ...

Obavva

During the rein of Madakari Naayaka, 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 hundreads of them entered and fell, without raising any suspicion. The guard, Obavva's husband almost had a heart attack, 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.

Culture under Palayagaaras

Known for their valour, Chitradurga's Nayaka Palyagaaras were also patrons of great musicians. Writer Ta.Ra.Su (T.R. Subba Rao) has not only researched extensively in the area, but has brought to life several characters who lived in those times in the forted city. Several films (notably Nagara Haavu and Hamsa Geete' have brought to life the glory of this fort).

Geography of the fort

Accessible by road, this fortress lies on the outskirts of what is Chitradurga today.City of Chitradurga is located at the junction of NH-4(Bangalore-Poona National Highway) and NH-13(Sollapur-Mangalore National Highway). The nearest railhead is Davanagere (known for its cotton mills) on the Bangalore-Hubli-Mumbai/Mysore - Arasikere route.

Regional

Davanagere, another district in Karnataka, was formerly part of Chitradurga. Chitradurga is a General constituency. The population is mainly comprised of Nayakas, Gollas (Yadavs), Kurubas,madiga,lingayat and several other communities. Regionally, Chitradurga is composed of Taluks namely -chitradurga, Hiriyur, Hosadurga, Holalkere , challakere and Molakalmuru To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... It has been suggested that Divisions of Karnataka be merged into this article or section. ... Kurubas are Hindus concentrated mainly in the southeren states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Holalkere (œµ²¡®ŒµÊŠµ in Kannada) is a town and Taluk Capital located near Chitradurga in the Indian state of Karnataka. ...

Rich in mineral deposites, you could also try your hand at gold prospecting at Halekal, Kotemardi or Bedimaradi, etc. Chitradurga has the distinction of having had open cast copper mines at Ingaldhal too.

See also

• Mari Kanive
• Hiriyur
• Davanagere
• Holalkere

A view across the dam. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Holalkere (œµ²¡®ŒµÊŠµ in Kannada) is a town and Taluk Capital located near Chitradurga in the Indian state of Karnataka. ...

External links

• Profiles of all the Districts in Karnataka
• Tourism Information about Chitradurga

	State of Karnataka Karnataka Topics | History | Politics | Karnataka people Image File history File links Seal of Karnataka state (Indian Union) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... It has been suggested that Divisions of Karnataka be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Divisions of Karnataka be merged into this article or section. ... This is a list of famous and notable people from Karnataka, India. ...
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