Chitradurga Fort Historical Facts and Pictures

Chitradurga Fort, also known as Chitaldoorg, is situated in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka, India. The name of the fort, when translated in Kannada, means ‘the picturesque fort’.

It was built in stages by various dynasties including the Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Chalukyas and the Nayakas of Chitradurga during the 17th century. Innumerable transcriptions transgressing a number of dynasties have been found which traces the history of the fort to the 3rd Millennium B.C. Although the fort gained prominence only during the rule of Nayakas of Chitradurga, who held feudal allegiance to the Vijayanagar Empire, various rock edicts have been found which link the fort to the Mauryan Empire. After the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire, the Nayakas took independent control of the fort and went on to rule for 200 years. It was during this period that they carried out extensive expansion work on the fort, increasing its importance in the kingdom. A ruler of prominence from the Nayaka clan, Bharamappa, fought various battles against the Mughals and is credited with adding various temples, palaces, bastions and gateways to the fort. Hyder Ali, of the Mysore Kingdom successfully annexed the fort in his third attempt, defeating Madakari Nayaka V, the last ruler of the Nayaka clan. The legend of Onake Obavva, a woman who single handedly fought Hyder Ali’s forces, is another significant historic event related with the fort. Hyder Ali was succeeded by his son Tippu Sultan, who further strengthened and expanded the fort, before he was killed by the British in the Fourth Mysore War of 1799.

Chitradurga Fort

Chitradurga Fort Images

Chitradurga Fort Pictures

Chitradurga Fort

Chitradurga Fort Photos

Chitradurga Fort Temple

Chitradurga Fort Temple Pictures

Chitradurga Fort Temple

Rock Cut Temples at Chitradurga Fort

Temple of Chitradurga Fort

Chitradurga Fort Onake Obavva

Chitradurga Fort Onake Obavva

Chitradurga Fort was built using granite stone as an impregnable fortification, covering an area of 1500 acres. It is characterized by 35 secret entrances, 19 gateways, 2000 watch towers, 38 posterior entrances and 4 hidden passages. Currently the ruins of the fort are controlled by the Government of Karnataka and are open to the public.