Ratnagiri Fort, Andhra Pradesh

Last updated
Ratnagiri Fort
రత్నగిరి
Ratnagiri, Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh in India
Ratnagiri Hill Fort Penukonda Anantapuram Main Entrance.jpg
Ratnagiri Fort
India Andhra Pradesh location map (current).svg
Red pog.svg
Ratnagiri Fort
Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
India location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ratnagiri Fort
Ratnagiri Fort (India)
Coordinates 13°48′55″N77°07′35″E / 13.81539°N 77.12626°E / 13.81539; 77.12626
TypeFort
Site information
OwnerGovernment of India

Ratnagiri Fort is a hill fort located in the Ratnagiri village near Rolla, in Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Located near the border of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in the Rayalaseema region, it is also known as Seema Golconda ("Golconda at the border"). [1] The Government of India has designated it as a Monument of National Importance. [2]

Contents

History

The fort and the village are named after the hill known as Ratnagiri ("jewel hill"), and not much is known about the early history of the area. [3] Historians identify Ratnagiri with a village of the same name, mentioned in an inscription of the Chalukya king Vikramaditya I (r. c. 655-680 CE). According to this inscription, the village was located in the Nalavadi vishaya (district); this district may have been named after the Nalas, although this cannot be said with certainty. [4] The area gained importance during the Pandya and the Chola rule. [1] According to folklore, after the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, poet Allasani Peddana migrated to Ratnagiri with 500 Brahmin families. [5]

In the 17th century, the Bijapur Sultanate gained direct control of the nearby town of Sira, and moved the former chiefs of Sira to Ratnagiri. Manuscripts name several local chiefs of Ratnagiri, but do not provide much information about them. These chiefs included Rangappa Nayudu, Rayappa Razu, Pedda Rayanna Razu (ruled in 1657), and Lakshmana Nayudu (ruled in 1727). Lakshmana Nayudu is described as being responsible for collection of chauth , a form of tax imposed by the Marathas, which suggests that he was a Maratha vassal. [3]

Sometime after 1727, the Kingdom of Mysore gained control of the fort, but in 1746, the family of the former local chiefs ousted the Mysore troops. Later, Hyder Ali, the de facto ruler of Mysore, seized the fort, retaining the local chief as its commander. In 1792, when Hyder Ali's son Tipu Sultan was busy fighting the British East India Company during the Siege of Seringapatam, the local chief rebelled and overthrew the Mysore suzerainty. After signing the Treaty of Seringapatam with the British, Tipu Sultan besieged the Ratnagiri Fort, devastating it. He captured the fort after a 6-month long siege, and forcibly converted many soldiers of the local garrison to Islam. [3]

Structures

The stepwell (kalyani) at Ratnagiri Kalyani-Ratnagiri-Andrapradesh.jpg
The stepwell (kalyani) at Ratnagiri

The fort spans over two hills, known as Ratnagiri and Venkatagiri. [3] It has several structures, including the ruined Pattrappa temple. [6] There is a large stepwell (kalyani), which was built as a swimming pool for a queen. The former bath area of the queen also has a Krishna shrine, where the queen performed puja (worship) after the bath. Another stepwell named Pala Bavi is used by the devotees visiting a temple dedicated to the goddess Kolhapuramma. [1] An old Jain temple is located nearby. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tipu Sultan</span> Ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1782 to 1799

Tipu Sultan, commonly referred to as Sher-e-Mysore or "Tiger of Mysore", was an Indian ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore based in South India. He was a pioneer of rocket artillery. He expanded the iron-cased Mysorean rockets and commissioned the military manual Fathul Mujahidin. He deployed the rockets against advances of British forces and their allies during the Anglo-Mysore Wars, including the Battle of Pollilur and Siege of Srirangapatna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyder Ali</span> First Sultan and de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore

Hyder Ali was the Sultan and de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Born as Hyder Ali, he distinguished himself as a soldier, eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's rulers. Rising to the post of Dalavayi (commander-in-chief) to Krishnaraja Wodeyar II, he came to dominate the titular monarch and the Mysore government. He became the de facto ruler, King of Mysore as Sarvadhikari by 1761. During intermittent conflicts against the East India Company during the First and Second Anglo–Mysore Wars, King Hyder Ali was the military leader.

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

Srirangapatna is a town and headquarters of one of the seven Taluks of Mandya district, in the Indian State of Karnataka. It gets its name from the Ranganthaswamy temple consecrated around 984 CE. Later, under the British rule, the city was renamed to Seringapatam. Located near the city of Mandya, it is of religious, cultural and historic importance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Mysore</span> Monarchy in India (1399–1947)

The Kingdom of Mysore was a geopolitical realm in southern India founded in around 1399 in the vicinity of the modern-day city of Mysore and prevailed until 1950. The territorial boundaries and the form of government transmuted substantially throughout the kingdom's lifetime. While originally a feudal vassal under the Vijayanagara Empire, it became a princely state in British India from 1799 to 1947, marked in-between by major political changes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anglo-Mysore Wars</span> Conflicts mainly between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company (late 1700s)

The Anglo-Mysore Wars were a series of four wars fought during the last three decades of the 18th century between the Sultanate of Mysore on the one hand, and the British East India Company, Maratha Empire, Kingdom of Travancore, and the Kingdom of Hyderabad on the other. Hyder Ali and his succeeding son Tipu fought the wars on four fronts: with the British attacking from the west, south and east and the Nizam's forces attacking from the north. The fourth war resulted in the overthrow of the house of Hyder Ali and Tipu, and the dismantlement of Mysore to the benefit of the East India Company, which took control of much of the Indian subcontinent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Anglo-Mysore War</span> Conflict between the Kingdom of Mysore and the English East India Company and its allies

The Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790–1792) was a conflict in South India between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company, the Kingdom of Travancore, the Maratha Confederacy, and the Nizam of Hyderabad. It was the third of four Anglo-Mysore Wars.

Sira is a taluk of Tumkur district in the state of Karnataka, India. Its headquarters, Sira city lies on the NH 48 .It is the largest taluk in district by area.Second largest in population and economy.It is most developed regions in district after headquarters.

Madakasira is a town with a population 19,432 in 2001 and also a mandal in Sri Satya Sai district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is located near the state border with Karnataka. The Madakasira Hill Fort in the town is a centrally protected monument of national importance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chikkaballapura district</span> District of Karnataka in India

Chikkaballapura district is a district in the state of Karnataka, India. On 23 August 2007, it was carved out of the pre-existing Kolar district which was the fourth largest district of Karnataka by moving the talukas of Gauribidanur, Gudibanda, Bagepalli, Chikballapur, Manchenahalli, Chelur, Sidlaghatta and Chintamani into the new district. Kannada is the official language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Political history of Mysore and Coorg (1565–1760)</span>

The political history of the region on the Deccan Plateau in west-central peninsular India that was later divided into Mysore state and Coorg province saw many changes after the fall of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire in 1565. The rise of Sultan Haidar Ali in 1761 introduced a new period.

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

Devanahalli Fort is located 35 kilometers (22 mi) north of Bangalore city, at Devanahalli in the State of Karnataka, India. Chieftain Malla Byre Gowda of Avathi, a Vijayanagara empire vassal, built a mud fort in c. 1501 at Devanadoddi. In the late 18th century, Hyder Ali re-constructed the fort in stone resulting in the current structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sira Subah</span>

The Province of Sira, also known as Carnatic-Balaghat, was a subah of the Mughal empire in South India that was established in 1687 by conquering emperor Aurangzeb and lasted until 1757. The province, which comprised the Carnatic region south of the Tungabhadra river, had its capital in the town of Sira. It was composed of seven parganas (districts): Basavapatna, Budihal, Sira, Penukonda, Dod-Ballapur, Hoskote and Kolar; in addition, Harpanahalli, Kondarpi, Anegundi, Bednur, Chitaldroog and Mysore were considered by the Mughals to be tributary states of the province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhondia Wagh</span>

Dhondia Wagh was a military soldier and adventurer in 18th century India. He started his career in the service of Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore. During the Third Anglo-Mysore War, he deserted Ali's successor Tipu Sultan, and subsequently raided territories on the Maratha-Mysore border. After the Marathas forced him to retreat, he sought refuge from Tipu and converted to Islam, changing his name to Malik Jahan Khan. After Tipu's death in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, he raised a force comprising soldiers from the former Mysore Army, and took control of northern part of the Mysore Kingdom. He styled himself as Ubhaya-Lokadheeshwara. The British East India Company as well as the Maratha Peshwa sent armies to check his rising power. He was ultimately defeated and killed by a British force led by Arthur Wellesley.

The Maratha–Mysore wars were a conflict in the 18th century India between the Maratha Confederacy and the Kingdom of Mysore. Though initial hostilities between the sides started in 1760s, the last battle began in February 1785 and ended in 1787.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Srirangapatna Fort</span> Historical fort in Srirangapatna, India

Srirangapatna Fort is a historical fort located in Srirangapatna, the historical capital city of the Kingdom of Mysore in present-day South Indian state of Karnataka. Built by the Timmanna Nayaka in 1454, the fort was modified by King Haider Ali & King Tipu Sultan and fully fortified in the late 18th century with the help of French architects. King Tipu Sultan wanted to protect it against British invaders associated with the East India Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malik Rihan Dargah, Sira</span>

Malik Rihan Dargah, also known as Malik Rihan tomb, is a mausoleum in Sira, Karnataka, India. It contains the grave of Malik Rihan who was the governor of Sira province in the 17th-century. It has a square plan and illustrates the Indo-Saracenic style in Deccan architecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gooty Fort</span> Ruined hill fort in Gooty, Andhra Pradesh, India

The Gooty Fort, also known as Ravadurg and Gutti Kota, is a ruined fort located on a hill in the Gooty town of Andhra Pradesh, India. The town of Gooty is located in the Ananthapur district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masjid-i-Ala</span> Mosque in Mandya, Karnataka, India

Masjid-i-Ala is a mosque located inside the Srirangapatna Fort in Srirangapatna in Mandya District in Karnataka. It was built in 1786–87, during the rule of Tipu Sultan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madakasira Fort</span>

Madakasira Fort, also known as Simhagiri, is a hill fort located in the Madakasira town of Sri Sathya Sai district, in Andhra Pradesh, India. The Government of India has designated it as a Monument of National Importance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Moti Talab</span> Battle between Mysore and Maratha forces

The Battle of Moti Talab, which took place on March 5, 1771, was a significant engagement between the forces of Mysore, led by Hyder Ali(who was succeeded by his son Tipu Sultan after his death), and the Maratha army, commanded by Trimbak Rao. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Marathas

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hoskote Nagabhshanam (2022-07-24). "High tourism potential Ratnagiri fort is in ruins". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-08-19.
  2. "Revenue from monuments in Andhra Pradedsh" (PDF). Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. 2021-12-16. Retrieved 2022-08-19.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Census of India, 1961: Anantapur district. Vol. 2. Registrar General of India. 1962. p. 160.
  4. D.C. Sircar (1953). "Kesaribeda plates of Nala Arthapati-Bhattaraka". Epigraphia Indica. 28 (8). Archaeological Survey of India: 14.
  5. Hoskote Nagabhshanam (2017-01-14). "Egyptian vultures at Ratnagiri Fort hill". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-08-19.
  6. Rakesh Tewari, ed. (2016). "Indian Archaeology 2011-12 - A review" (PDF). Archaeological Survey of India. p. 187. Retrieved 2022-08-19.