Belgaum Fort

Last updated

Belgaum Fort
Part of Belgaum
Karnataka, India
General view of the gateway of the fort, Belgaum.jpg
Main Gate to the Fort
India Karnataka location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Belgaum Fort
Coordinates 15°51′30″N74°31′28″E / 15.8583333°N 74.5244444°E / 15.8583333; 74.5244444
TypeFortress
Site information
Controlled by Government of Karnataka
Open to
the public
Yes
Condition Ruins
Site history
Built13th century
Built byOriginal by Ratta Dynasty and fortified by Yakub Ali Khan of the Bijapur Sultanate
Materials Granite stones and mud

Belgaum Fort is in the city of Belgaum, in the Belgaum district, in Karnataka state, India. It was begun by Jaya Raya, also called Bichi Raja, an ally of the Ratta Dynasty, in the year 1204. It has undergone several renovations over the centuries under dynastic rulers of the region.[ citation needed ]

Contents

The fort, built with fine ramparts and a large moat, has a rich history with historical and religious monuments dated to the Adil Shahi dynasty. [1] [2]

The fort has been captured in battles many times, as the possession of local rulers, until the region was stabilized by the British Raj. It is notable in modern history because Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned by the British in this fort during India's freedom struggle. [1]

Geography

The fort is in the foothills of the Sahyadri mountain range of (Western Ghats) in the precincts of the Belagavi town (which was also known as Belgaum or 'Venugrama' meaning bamboo village), at an altitude of about 762 metres (2,500 ft), 100 km (62 mi) from the Arabian Sea. The Markandeya River flows nearby. [1] [3]

There is a Lake in front of the Fort known as Killa Lake.

History

The fort's history is traced to the Ratta Dynasty with lineage to the Rashtrakuta Dynasty (earlier chieftains of Saundatti, who later shifted their capital to Belgaum), Vijayanagara rulers, Bijapur Sultans or Bahmanis, Marathas (Shivaji Maharaj)and finally by the British in that order. Before Rattas, Shatavahanas, Chalukyas and Kadambas from Goa have ruled over the region. [4]

The Belgaum fort belonged to the Ratta dynasty from the time it was built in 1204 by a Ratta officer named Bichiraja. Belgaum, the city around the fort, served as the capital of that dynasty between 1210 and 1250. Rattas were defeated by the Yadava Dynasty of Devagiri, and they briefly controlled the fort. At the turn of the 14th century, the Khaljis of Delhi invaded and succeeded in ruining the indigenous powers of the region – the Yadava and the Hoysalas —without providing a viable administration. This lacuna was made good by the Vijayanagara Empire, which had become the established power of the area by 1336. [5]

In 1474, the Bahmani Sultanate, then ruling from Bidar, captured the fort of Belgaum under the leadership of Mahamood Gawan. In 1518, the Bahamani Sultanate split up into five small states, and Belgaum became part of the Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur. The Ismail Adil Shah of Adilshahi dynasty reinforced the fort with the help of Asad Khan Lari (a Persian from the province of Lar) and much of the existing structures dates from 1519. [5] [6]

In Belgaum, the rule of Adilshahs began in the times of Ismail Adil Shah. Asad Khan Lari assisted Ismail in the battle for the fort and conferred with Belgaum as his jagir in 1511 (in 1519, Asad Khan completed the Masjid Safa in the Belgaum fort). [5]

In 1686, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb defeated the Bijapur sultanate, and Belgaum came under his control. This was a short-lived control because, after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Mughal empire's control declined. With this changed situation, the Maratha confederacy was taken over by the Peshwas. In 1776, Hyder Ali of Mysore won over this region, but only for a short period. The Peshwas, with British assistance, defeated Hyder Ali and regained control of Belgaum. With changed circumstances over the years, the same British attacked the Belgaum fort, which was under Peshwas control. They held it under siege from 21 March to 12 April 1818 and took control of the fort and deposed the Peshwas. Shivalinga Raju, the Kittur Desai, helped the British in this attack on the fort. [7] As a reward, the British allowed Desai to rule over Belgaum town and the fort. [8]

The fort is currently used as the regional headquarters of the Indian Army. [9]

Fort structure

Belgaum Fort is one of the oldest in the state of Karnataka. It had fortifications designed to repel attacks of invading armies. It was originally built by Bichiraja (Ratta Dynasty) in 1204. [10]

Built in an undulating plain, the fort has an oval shape and is surrounded by a deep and wide moat excavated in soft red stone. The external side is a broad esplanade with bastions which rise to about 32 feet (9.8 m) from the bottom of the moat. The internal dimensions of the fort, which has a level ground, is 1,000 yards (910 m) in length and 800 yards (730 m) in width.

Two massive bastions flanked by a large gate, which was originally an entry gate through a bridge, has since been blocked. The gate now in use (said to have been designed by a Brahmin) is considered a fine specimen of Indian architecture. It has a guard chamber, a "groined roof once ornamented with pendants". The exterior of the gate is decorated with large motifs of animals and birds. The gateway is covered by massive doors made of iron designed for defense. An inscription on the top of the arch of the gate in Persian ascribes its building to Jakub Ali Khan. The inscription reads:

"Jakub Ali Khan, who is a joy to the heart, by whose benevolence the world is prosperous, built the wall of the fort from its base as strong as the barrier of Sicardis." [11]

In 1631 the main gate of the fort was built. [12]

There is a western gate with an archway, which is guarded only by a chain stretched across two old cannons. This provides access from a sloping road crossed by a causeway over the moat. [13]

The fort has Hindu, Jain and Muslim architectural influence with temples and mosques within its limits, indicating cultural syncretism. The architectural styles seen in the mosques are of the Indo-Saracenic and Deccan type. The fort has been built with stones and mud. A wide moat runs round the fort. [14]

Temples

Jain temples

Kamal Basadi Jain temple in Belgaum Old jain temple belgaum (1).jpg
Kamal Basadi Jain temple in Belgaum
The second Jain temple, Chikki Basadi in ruins Chikka basadi belagavi 2.jpg
The second Jain temple, Chikki Basadi in ruins

Of the two Jain temples inside the fort, the 'Kamal Basadi', a basadi with the Neminatha idol in black stone (found in a forest nearby) deified on a stone-carved pedestal, is more famous. It was built in 1204. The other temple, called the 'Chikki Basadi', is in ruins (see picture). Both temples were built inside the fort in the Chalukyan architecture style.

The Mukhamantapa (Mukha main hall) of the Kamal Basadi is very impressive, with a neatly depicted lotus carving projecting from the ceiling. It is accessed through steps partly enclosed by a balustrade with a large dome of great beauty. Lotus flowers, designed in concave shape, spaced at 1-foot intervals (30 cm), arranged in concentric circles in decreasing layers and depicting a central blossom of the lotus, decorate the roof. The lotus pendant is covered by a large pyramidal roof.

The pillars that support the roof with the lotus pendant are founded on plinths. Some pillars made of black basaltic stones (said to have magnetic characteristics) are highly polished. It is named the Kamal Basadi since the tower of the temple depicts kamal (lotus) with 72 petals, which presently displays images of the past 24 tirthankaras but can depict the present and future thirthankars. The pillars are well carved with decorations and neatly polished.

Other idols seen in the temple are of Bhagwan Sumatinath in the kayotsarga posture, Bhagwan Parshvanath under the shade of seven-hooded serpent (Nagaraj), Bhagwan Adinath in the padmasana posture and the Navagraha. The Archeology Department renovated this temple in 1996.

The second Jain temple, Chikki Basadi, in ruins now, was once considered as a "remarkable piece of Jain architecture". It has a frontage that displays festooned rows of dancing figurines, musicians, and trimmed flowers. [15]

Hindu temples

There are two Hindu shrines at the fort entrance: one devoted to Ganesha and another to goddess Durga. The Durga temple is dedicated to multi-armed goddess Durga, as considered the goddess of forts and warfare. It is in a corner of the fort. The outer facade of the temple exhibits painted images of mythological figures. [11]

Mosques

The fort has two mosques or masjids: Safa Masjid and Jamia Masjid. The former mosque is the most frequented by the Muslim population of Belgaum. Safa Masjid was completed in 1519 by Asad Khan Lari (testified by the Persian inscription). The mosque's pillars have exquisite inscriptions in a fusion of Nagari and Persian styles. It is said that two of the pillars are from Hindu temples and have Kannada inscriptions in Nāgarī scripts. One pillar dated to 1199 is credited to Ratta King Kartaveerya IV and the other pillar dated to 1261 is credited to Sevuna (Yadava) Krishna. The Jamia Masjid, dated 1585–86, was built by Sher Khan. [6] [16] [17] [18]

Access

The fort is in the precincts of Belgaum city (which is in the northwestern parts of Karnataka) and lies at the border of two states: Maharashtra and Goa. It is well connected by road, rail and air services to all parts of the country.

Belgaum is connected by road via the National Highway 4 (connecting Maharashtra (now part of the Golden Quadrilateral), Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) and NH 4A (connecting Karnataka and Goa). The road distance is 502 kilometres (312 mi) to Bangalore (on the Bangalore-Pune highway); 515 km (320 mi) to Hyderabad and 500 km (310 mi) to Mumbai. It is midway between Bangalore and Mumbai. [5] [10]

The distances to the nearest cities in the border states of Maharashtra and Goa are Hubbali - 94 km (58 mi), Dharwad - 70 km (43 mi), Mangalore - 438 km (272 mi), Goa-125 km (78 mi), Kolhapur - 103 km (64 mi) and Pune - 336 km (209 mi). It is close to the bus station.

The airport serving the city is Belgaum Airport at Sambra which is the oldest airport in North Karnataka. It is 10 km (6.2 mi) from the city. [19]

Belgaum is well connected by rail to major destinations such as Bangalore, Mumbai (via Miraj) and Goa.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belgaum</span> City in Karnataka, India

Belgaum, officially known as Belagavi, is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka located in its northern part along the Western Ghats. It is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous Belagavi division and Belagavi district. The Government of Karnataka has proposed making Belgaum the second capital of Karnataka alongside Bangalore, hence a second state administrative building Suvarna Vidhana Soudha was inaugurated on 11 October 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bijapur</span> City in Karnataka, India

Bijapur is the district headquarters of Bijapur district of the Karnataka state of India. It is also the headquarters for Bijapur Taluk. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of the Adil Shahi dynasty. It is also well known for the popular Karnataka premier league team, the Bijapur Bulls. Bijapur is located 519 km (322 mi) northwest of the state capital Bangalore and about 550 km (340 mi) from Mumbai and 210 km (130 mi) north east of the city of Belgaum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burhanpur</span> City in Madhya Pradesh, India

Burhanpur is a historical city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative seat of Burhanpur District. It is situated on the north bank of the Tapti River and 512 kilometres (318 mi) northeast of city of Mumbai, 340 kilometres (211 mi) southwest of the state's capital city of Bhopal. The city is a Municipal Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalinjar Fort</span> Indian fort 17

Kalinjar is a fortress-city in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, in India. It was ruled by several dynasties including the Guptas, the Vardhana dynasty, the Chandelas, Solankis of Rewa, Mughal and the Marathas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gingee Fort</span> Fort in Tamil Nadu, India

Gingee Fort or Senji Fort in Tamil Nadu, India is one of the surviving forts in Tamil Nadu, India.It is popularly known as Great Wall of South India.It lies in Villupuram District, 160 kilometres (99 mi) from the state capital, Chennai, and is close to the Union Territory of Puducherry. The site is so fortified that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha king, ranked it as the "most impregnable fortress in India", and it was called the "Troy of the East" by the British. The nearest town with a railway station is Tindivanam and the nearest airport is Chennai (Madras), located 150 kilometres (93 mi) away.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saundatti</span> Town in Karnataka, India

Savadatti is one of the oldest towns in Belagavi district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is a celebrated Hindu pilgrimage centre located 78 kilometres from Belagavi and 41 kilometres from Dharwad. Savadatti is also the name of the taluk (sub-district), which was previously named Parasgad. There are several ancient temples in Savadatti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Karnataka</span> Region in Karnataka, India

North Karnataka is a geographical region in Deccan plateau from 300 to 730 metres elevation that constitutes the region of the Karnataka state in India and the region consists of 13 districts. It is drained by the Krishna River and its tributaries the Bhima, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, and Tungabhadra. North Karnataka lies within the Deccan thorn scrub forests ecoregion, which extends north into eastern Maharashtra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakshmeshwara</span> Town/Taluk in Karnataka, India

Lakshmeshwara is a town, and newly created Taluk place along with Gajendragad in Gadag district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is about 40 km from Gadag and 55 km from Hubli. It is an agricultural trading town. Lakshmeshwara Temple dedicated to Shiva. There are many important temples in this historic town, including the other Shiva temple, the Someshwara Temple. There are two ancient Jain temples in the town, as well as a notable Jamma Masjid. Lakshmeshwara is also home for many smaller shrines, a dargah, the Kodiyellamma temple, the Mukha Basavanna shrine, and a gigantic idol of Suryanarayana.

Yellur is a village and Gram panchayat in the Belagavi district, state of Karnataka, India. It is situated at the foot of a small hillock locally called Yellurgad, 6 km (3.7 mi) to the south of the city of Belagavi. It is a village with multiple temples dedicated to Brahmalling, Kalmeshwar, Lakshmi, Dattatreya, Parameshwara, Hanuman and Changaleshwari. The jatra in honour of the goddess is held during Chaitra, when about 20,000 people participate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Karnataka</span>

Karnataka, the sixth largest state in India, has been ranked as the third most popular state in the country for tourism in 2014. It is home to 507 of the 3600 centrally protected monuments in India, second only to Uttar Pradesh. The State Directorate of Archaeology and Museums protects an additional 752 monuments and another 25,000 monuments are yet to receive protection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jainism in Karnataka</span> Religion of Jainism in the Indian state of Karnataka

Karnataka, a state in South India has a long association with Jainism, a religion which enjoyed patronage of major historic kingdoms in the state such as the Rastrakuta Dynasty, Western Ganga, Kadamba and Chalukya dynasties and the Hoysala Empire. Today the state is home to a number of Jain monuments, such as temples, Gommata statues and stambhas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Athani, Belagavi</span> Town in Karnataka, India

Athani is a town in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, India. It is 140 kilometers from the city of Belagavi, 70 kilometers from Vijayapura, 55 kilometers from Miraj, 100 kilometers from Kolhapur, and 624 kilometers from Bengaluru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bidar Fort</span> Fort in Bidar, Karnataka, India

Bidar Fort is located in old city area, Bidar, Karnataka, India. The fort, the city and the district are all affixed with the name Bidar. Sultan Ahmad Shah I of the Bahmanid dynasty shifted his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1427 and built his fort along with a number of Islamic monuments. There are over 30 monuments inside Bidar fort.

Ratta was a minor dynasty who ruled over the Belagavi region of the Karnataka as a branch of Rashtrakutas. Savadatti (Saundatti), historically known as Sugandavarti was the capital of Ratta dynasty during 875-1250 CE period. Later their capital shifted to Belagavi (Belgaum) which is historically known as Venugrama. Belgaum was the capital of the Rattas during 1210 to 1250 A.D.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kadamba architecture</span>

Kadamba architecture was a style of temple architecture founded by Mayurasharma in the 4th century AD in Karnataka, India. Kadambas created new style of architecture which was the basis of the Hoysalas style of architecture, developed original school of sculpture, was the forerunner of series of South Indian sculptors. Many temples at Aihole, Badami and Hampi are built in Kadamba style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savadatti Fort</span> Fort in Karnataka, India

The Savadatti Fort, also known as Saundatti Fort located in the western part of Savadatti town in the Indian state of Karnataka is an irregular shaped military structure built in the 18th century over a small hill. A smaller fort within the main fort houses the Kadasiddheshwara temple.

Mahipalgad Fort is a fort located 20 km (12 mi)from Belgaum. It is in the Chandgad taluka of Kolhapur district, of Maharashtra. This fort is an important fort in Kolhapur district. The fort is situated on the mountain ridge close to the line dividing Maharashtra and Karnataka state. The fort is amidst dense evergreen forest.

Vallabhgad Fort is a fort located 57 km (35 mi)from Belgaum. It is in the Hukkeri taluka of Belgaum district, of Karnataka. This fort is an important fort in Belgaum district. The fort is situated on the Khadya hill mountain ridge close to the Pune-Bangalore national Highway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamal Basadi</span> Jain temples in the state of Karnataka

Kamal Basadi is a Jain temple located inside Belgaum Fort in city of Belgaum, Karnataka.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Various (2009). "Belagavi Fort". Tourist Guide to Karnataka. Sura Books. p. 63. ISBN   978-81-7478-062-1 . Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  2. "Tourist Attractions". National Informatics Centre, Belagavi. Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  3. "Municipal Corporation of Belgaum". Archived from the original on 29 September 2006. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  4. "Belgaum". National Informatics Centre. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Chapter XIV-Karnataka, The Tourist Paradise". p. 358. Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  6. 1 2 Chitnis; Krishnaji Nageshrao (1994). Glimpses of Maratha socio-economic history. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. p. 48. ISBN   978-81-7156-347-0 . Retrieved 31 August 2009.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  7. Wodeyar, Sadashiva S (1977). Rani Chennamma. National Book Trust, India. p. 23. Retrieved 31 August 2009.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  8. Maheshwari, Kamalesh Kumar; Kenneth W. Wiggins (1989). Maratha mints and coinage. Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies. pp. 64, 96. Retrieved 31 August 2009.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  9. "Exploring India: 3 Forts To Visit In Belgaum, Karnataka". Femina. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Belgaum Fort". Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  11. 1 2 Guthrie, Mrs E.Y. "My year in an Indian fort". Belgaum Fort. Duncan Madonald, Blenheim House. pp. 189–192, 313. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  12. Muthanna, I.M. (1977). Karnataka, history, administration & culture. The University of Michigan. p. 302.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  13. Guthrie, section 192.
  14. Tourist Guide to Karnataka. Karnataka (Tourist Guide). 2006. p. 63. ISBN   978-81-7478-062-1 . Retrieved 31 August 2009.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  15. Guthrie, Section 211-212.
  16. "Tourist Attractions". National Informatics Centre, Belgaum. Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  17. "Belgaum Fort" . Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  18. Sathyan, B. N. Sri (1965). Karnataka State Gazetteer: Belgaum. The Director of Print, Stationery and Publications at the Govt. Press. p. 127. Retrieved 31 August 2009.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  19. "Accessibility". Archived from the original on 8 February 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2009.