Shankaramma Fort

Shankaramma Fort is located in Shankarampet village and Mandal, Medak District, Telangana State, India.

The fort, which was under Papannapet Samsthanam (kingdom), about 70 kilometres from the district headquarters, has been located in a hilly area of this small village. The locals inform that Rani Shankaramma constructed the fort in 1760 which consists of Devidi (residential place for the inmates of the fort) and Chavidi (meeting place).

Due to negligence, the fort has been covered with overgrown bushes and most of its structure has been ruined. One cooking room collapsed about six years ago and a small room, expectedly a pooja room, exists without roof. Some of the boulders, used for the construction of the fort, have been taken away for use by the locals.

http://avadhanir.blogspot.com/2012/12/shankaramma-fort-shrouded-in-negligence.html

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Nadigudi Fort

Once a fort of Raja Nayani Venkata Ranga Rao of Munagala Paragana (province), located at Nadigudi in Suryapet district, is now a research centre of the Deccan Archaeological and Cultural Research Institute (DACRI).

The 150-year-old fort was renovated by the DACRI and was inaugurated on Saturday. It houses over 2.5 lakh rare books and over one lakh palm-leaf manuscripts.The fort, built in 1870, was handed over to the DACRI six months ago after its director, Kurra Jitendra Babu, requested Santosh Reddy, the grandson of Nayani Venkata Ranga Rao, to do so to develop it into a research centre.

On Saturday, the renovated fort was inaugurated by Hampi Sri Virupaksha Vidyaranya Mahasamsthanam pontiff Sri Vidyaranya Bharathi Swami. Among those who were present include Santosh Reddy, Veamana Peetham president Ch Anjaneya Reddy, Telangana History Congress president Vaikuntham, former MLC Mandali Buddha Prasad and others. Speaking on the occasion, the DACRI director said it would take around 200 years to translate and print all the books that were at the research centre.

Meanwhile, the residents of Nadigudi expressed happiness over their village housing the research centre. The two-day meeting of the Telangana History Congress too began at the newly-inaugurated research centre on Saturday. As many as 10 books were released during the meeting.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2020/Jan/19/150-year-old-fort-at-telanganas-nadigudi-springs-back-to-life-as-research-centre-2091508.html

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Kailash Fort

Kailash Fort is just 160 km from Hyderabad on the Hyderabad-Sangareddy-Nanded road but hardly anyone knows about the 9th century fort constructed by Rashtrakutas. The fort has wells, temples, dargahs, cannons and godowns. 

1857-58 AD :  Raja Kunwar Deep Singh Gaur

The fort has a rich history and rose to prominence in 1857-58, Raja Kunwar Deep Singh Gaur trained troops inside the fort and was later poisoned for three years.

Col A K Singh, the 10th generation scion of the Gaur Rajputs is now fighting a lone battle to save the fort from crumbling. He says, “The fort is unique in many ways, it has the longest cannon in Telangana, has 52 bastions and the fort is oval shaped and is approximately 1500 mtrs long and 1000 metres wide.

It has the potential to become a major tourist attraction only if the government is willing.” Neglected and forsaken, the fort is surrounded by three water bodies and two temples; Balaji mandir and Ram and Hanuman mandir. “The 1000 year old Balaji mandir and the longest cannon can be major attractions.

The fort can be developed as an eco-tourist spot as there is jungle area, ample provision for trekking and enough flora and fauna, avers Jaswant Singh, a resident of Toopran.

https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2015-06-06/A-unique-fort-lies-neglected/155708

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Gandhari Khilla or Fort and Maisamma jatara

Gandhari Khilla or Fort is located in Gandhari khilla is a hill fort located near Bokkalagutta, in Mandamarri Mandal in Mancherial district, Telangana State, India is a geological wonder to see: its sky-looking rock formations, deep gorges and narrow valleys inside the hillocks make the visitor filled with the thrilling feeling of deep sigh. The visitor will be greeted by a small stream of water running through the hills and hill-bounded Medi Cheruvu (tank).

There are three main entrances to the fort, which are carved out of stone. The fort contains idols of Kala Bhairava Swamy, Lord Siva, Lord Ganesh and Hanuman. The way to the fort atop the hill was built in such a way that horses and elephants can trek the hill. There’s an eight-foot tall Naga Seshu idol carved out of a single rock. The fort’s magnificent architecture, defensive constructions, bathing tanks and sculpture leaves visitors spellbound

There are three wells, which never dries up even during severe summer. There is also another well named as ‘Yenugula Bavi’ (Elephants Well). The well is designed in such a way that elephants and horses can quench thirst by reaching the well through steps. 

Gandhari Maisamma Jatra is a three days long festival, done in the temple on the fort of Gandhari for every 2 years on the third day of full moon day of Hindu month Magha (January/February). 

Naikpod tribals living on the banks of the river Godavari celebrate an annual fair on the eve of Magha Pournami (February) at the unique rock-cut fort of Gandhari. Artistes of Naikpod community perform a dance show using representation of their deity Laxmi Devara during cultural programmes held to mark Maisamma Jatara on the outskirts of Bokkalagutta village in Mandamarri mandal.

Tribals from various districts including Gonds, Naikpod, Koyas, Mannes and devotees from neighbouring states i.e maharashtra, Chhattisgarh on the other bankside flock the Jatara. The jatara was suspended in 1998 due to a murder incident that took place during the celebrations.

The unique rock cut fort of Gandhari is originally an abode of history, epigraphy, architecture and culture and subsequently became a center for the Jatara in which tribals and non-tribals also take part. It has future scope of developing it into a historical, adventurous and tribal tourist site with the potential of boating in Pulimadugu pond and Medi Cheruvu Tank nearby. The State Government is supporting the Jatara with a financial aid for the past half decade.

The aboriginal tribals had darshan of the deity as they waited for serpentine queue lines since early morning. Artistes of this community presented traditional dance forms Thappetagullu and Pillanagovi, and many other art forms. They also showcased oral art forms on Saturday, enthralling audiences.

On the second day night, the elders of Rodda clan and priests revered Maisamma by performing Pedda Puja, the main event of the affair. They purified the deity and performed traditional rituals at the idol of the deity situated atop of the hillock. They drew Patnam, a unique drawing pattern to appease the Goddess.

The tribals camped under the trees and woods. They dined and celebrated along with family members and friends. They swarmed an ancient picturesque tank near the fort for taking photos. They gathered herbal plants found on the top of the hillock and at foothills for curing certain diseases. They arrived at the holy place, using different means of transit including trolleys, lorries, vans, auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers.

Devotees playing ‘kolatam’ during the cultural programmes at Gandhari Maisamma Jatara on the outskirts of Bokkalagutta village on Sunday.

The Forgotten City
Remnants of a series of steps, ponds, potsherds, etc. lie inside the Pattanam. Almost opposite to the Pattanam one has to climb a rock cliff to see rock cut wells (3) called Savatula Baavulu. Their finest finishing leaves us with wondered face. There we find Padmanayaka traditional sculptures
of Ganapati, Shivalinga, etc. which are in mutilated state now.

If we cross the Pattanam and move further we come across a deep rock cut well with steps and arrangements showing that once the Enugula Baavi (Elephant Well) served the purpose of drinking water for the people living inside the fort, with the help of Elephant-drawn-Mota (huge water lifting container). Or, the well might have been segregated for elephants. A stream coming from higher altitudes stores water in this pond-size well and flows across it running through a gorge between two hillocks.

In about a furlong distance from Enugula Baavi we find a series of caves in a hillock towards our left side. One cave by name Gonthemma Pokkalu has two sections with pre-historic petroglyphs belonging to Mesolithic and Megalithic ages. The petroglyph motifs contain hundreds of pairs of feet, bullocks, horses, nets, oblong map (Patnam in the words of Naikpods), etc.

Temples
There are two rock-cut cells / temples which must have served as shelters to Buddhist Chaityas earlier. However, Bhairava sculpture was subsequently hewn beside the cells during the reign of Padmanayakas.

Almost opposite to these cells there was another huge cell hewn into hard rock and a line drawing was chiseled probably to depict Buddha. On 3.3.2005 a news appeared that some thieves unearthed a panchaloha idol of Buddha here and were arrested. It signifies the presence of Buddhism here.

After crossing the stream we come across a series of 3 rock-cut entrances flanked by sculptures of Bhairava and Hanuman which stand as testimony to the traditional practice of Padmanayaka rulers during 14 th and 15 th centuries. The first entrance has an awful sculpture of Mondi Bhairava. En-route to other entrances one will come across an elephant sculpture with a man hanging in its trunk. The
fourth and main entrance is the most wonderful gate cut into a connecting hillock.

Its left door jamb has a sculpture called Maisamma by the devotees. Naikpod tribals worship this deity as the chief goddess and conduct traditional pujas in front of the deity by temporarily drawing her figure in rangoli colours.

Then, one has to move up left to climb a series of rock cut steps to reach its pinnacle called Nagaara Gundu – stone of drum – wherefrom, it is said, royal attendants used to beat huge royal drums to keep people alert of hours and threats of outside foes during medieval times.
The Deities

The straightway from the Maisamma Darwaja will lead us to, to our left, a series of rock cut caves wherein seers are said to have observed penance once upon a time.

The caves are followed by two structural temples that appear to have been built during 12 th to 14 th century. The carvings of the temples are attractive enough to draw the attention of the enthusiasts.

These temples are followed by the chief temple of the fort – Naga Sheshuni Gudi. Its door jambs have been decorated with Dwarapalas and Jaalis in the Antarala in an appreciable style. The 7 hooded Naga sculpture is sculpted as holding Shivalinga in its folds. The huge sculpture is one of the finest sculptures of Telangana. The temple is pinnacled by a superstructure, the shikhara.

History

As part of visiting the Jatara the visitors get amused to see the wonderful architecture of the rock fort called Gandhari Khilla. 

The history of the Khilla is shrouded in many mythical accounts. The post Satavahana kings – Kandaras –ruled from Kandarapura. Even the Pallava king Anandavarma is said to have ruled from the same Kandarapura. K. Gopalachari, a well known historian, wrote that even the celebrated kings Kakatiyas migrated from Kandarapura. The post Kakatiya feudatories of Padmanayaka kings undertook several constructions in the fort which can be seen till date. However, the Naikpods believe that Gandhari is Peddamma to their Lord Bheemanna, the second of Pandava brothers. They worship the goddess Peddamma.

The Gandhari Fort is believed to have been built by Tribal kings who ruled over this region with the assistance of Kakatiya rulers in c.1200 AD. It houses the ancient temple of Maisamma. Similarly, it has idols of Kala Bhairava Swamy, Lord Siva, Lord Ganesh and Hanuman, idols carved out on rocks and an eight-foot 10-headed Naga Seshu idol carved on a single rock. The fort, which has Gandhari Maisamma temple, was built within a dense forest, which has a rich flora and fauna including many medicinal herbs.

The name of the tank Medi cheruvu and several inscriptions of 12 th century A.D. found in north Telangana prompt historians to say that the Medi Cheruvu and the nearby village Medaram were constructed by Medaraja, a local king, in his name. An archaeological wonder here is the rock cut canal. It runs for a furlong distance from Medi Cheruvu to Jeedikota valley. There is a heap of iron slag, wastage of iron industry, with the help of which the rock fort, cave temples, sculptures and canals were created here.

An inscription from 1403 AD carved on a huge rock in the precincts of Gandhari Fort in Mancherial district deciphered by a Hyderabad-based-historian has unlocked decades long mystery as to who was ruler from the only rock-cut fort in Telangana. It also shows how some traditions continue for centuries and has unveiled how Vaishnavism was propagated in this area once, which is now famous for the Gandhari maisamma jatara. The photograph of the inscription was clicked by state department of Archaeology two decades ago but was not deciphered until now.

1403 AD : Peddiraju Anantaraju, who was a vassal during reign of king Anapota-II 

A Telugu inscription of 1403 A.D. is engraved on its right side. Its decipherment reveals that one feudatory (of Padmanayaka Kings) Sri Peddiraju Ananataraju presented the sculpture of Hanumanta along with Thirunamas to Lord Raghunayakulu. 

As far as the memory of the locality is concerned the local Naikpod tribals have been holding their traditional worships here periodically. Several of the Naikpods living in this locality bear the surname Peddi(raju) and Sri Peddulu is still the chief priest of the Gandhari Jatara. These inferences lead us to surmise that the local Nakpod tribals must be the descendants of the chieftain Peddiraju who
might have also constructed the temple of Raghunayakulu, opposite to the sculpture of Lord Hanuman and the epigraph.

Ranam Kudupu

During the Gandhari maisamma jatara tradition, known as “ranam kudupu” is still followed which dates back to the rule of Anapota-II. The tradition was a religious ritual practiced during a battle which included conducting sacrifice of animals, which is conducted even now in the jatara.

1824 AD - 1897 AD : Sardeshmukhs of Mutyampalli

1824 A.D. copper plate inscription reveals that Sardeshmukhs of Mutyampalli issued the Sannad to Sri Kova Baburao and Sri Kova Somuju conferring the post of Mokasi to collect taxes from the Gonds of Gandharla taluq and pay to the Sardeshmukhs.

The contents of the inscription revealed that it was originally issued by Venkata Mutyam Rao, Venkata Jagannatha Rao and Venkata Rama Rao (Sardeshmukhs of Mutyampalli) to Kova Baburao and Kova Somuju (ancestors of Kova Babu Rao and Kova Doulath Rao) in 1824 to collect taxes from the Gonds of Gandhari Taluq. But, the recipients were said to have lost the inscription. Upon their request, they were reissued it in 1871. It was revaluated again in 1897 in Urdu language.

https://telanganatoday.com/gandhari-a-unique-rockfort-of-telangana

Dr. Dyavanapalli Satyanarayana
https://www.thehansindia.com/hans/education-careers/focusing-on-innovation-in-healthcare-868895?infinitescroll=1
https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2017-02-10/Gandhari-Maisamma-Jatara-from-today/279664#google_vignette
https://telanganatoday.com/gandhari-maisamma-jatara-ends-on-a-colorful-note-in-mancherial

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Pratapgiri Fort

Pratapgiri Fort is located on Pedda gutta near prathapgiri village, Kataram Mandal, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana State, India.

The undated six-line inscription available on the fort wall tells that the fort was constructed by Muchanayanimgaru, also known as Muppa Nayakudu lieutenant of Prola Raja-I.  Since Prataparudra, the last king of Kakatiya dynasty, who faced the might of Delhi Sultanate, used the fort frequently; it acquired the name of Pratapagiri fort.

The ramparts of Pratapagiri hill fort nestled in the impenetrable jungle 240 kilometres northeast of Hyderabad is one such a fortification aimed at foiling enemies' invasions especially the Muslim armies on Kakatiya capital, Warangal.

Afar and tough to reach even today, the Pratapagiri fort, believed to have built by Kakatiya king Prola Raju-I, located on a hillock locally known as Pedda Gutta, is said to be the first line of defence before the invading forces make any surge onto the terrain. The fort is strategically located to keep a round-the-clock surveillance of enemies invading from the north India. The hill fort offered a superb view of enemies crossing the River Godavari, which is 3 kilometres, so that they could plan an attack.

The fort has a tunnel, an escape route used by the kings in case of emergency in those days. The exit of the tunnel, which was filled with vegetation and silt, is only seen these days. The locals believe that the Kakatiya kings hid treasure in the tunnel fearing invasions from Delhi Sultanate – Alauddin Khalji. 

The fortification strategies of Kakatiyas, who sagely used forests, hillocks and river banks, indicate the kind of warfare they adopted, he said. The Gonthemmagutta (hillock), which is three kilometres away from Pratapagiri fort, also has 1.5 kilometre fortification wall. It's easy to scale and deal for adventure sports, Aravind said.

Pratapgiri fort is located about 35km from the District headquarters Jayashankar (Bhupalpally) town in the dense forests of Kataram and Mahadevpur area near prathapagiri and and Rapallekota villages

Visitors have to walk at least 5km from Prathapagiri village through dense forest to reach the hillock,

it is referred to as Vana Durgam and also Giri Durgam.

https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/an-impregnable-fort-amid-dense-forest-in-bhupalpally-525904

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Zaffergadh Fort and Velpugonda Narasimha Swamy Temple

Zaffergadh Fort is located in Zaffergadh village and a mandal in Jangaon district of Telangana state in India. The original name of Zaffargadh was Velpugonda. 

Zaffergadh got its name from a Muslim ruler Zaffarudhaula who made this place capital of his dynasty.

The village of Zaffargadh is situated in the valley between the hills on eastern and western sides. The hills are known as Chinnagutta and Peddagutta. There is a self manifested Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple on Peddagutta. 

The village and the hills are surrounded by a rampart, 5 km in circumference. Around the rampart there is a deep moat. Three darwazas (inlets) were constructed to regularize the incoming and outgoing traffic. The darwazas are namely the Khammam darwaza Patnam darwaza and Hanamkonda darwaza. The doors of the darwazas are 10 feet wide and 20 feet in height. The bastions and gates are mounted with huge iron cannons.

According to a Rashtrakuta inscription carved on the rock wall of the tank of the Lakshminarasimha Swamy hillock (Peddagutta) here, Sankaraganda of Rashtrakuta line of chiefs is believed to have constructed the tank on the hillock. On the back side of the hillock a Trikuta Temple, Garuda pillar and a Vishnu temple of Kakatiya period and a mosque are located. This area was occupied by Muslim rulers in the medieval times after the fall of Kakatiyas of Warangal in 1323 CE. 

Zaffruddoula, a Subedar of Golconda Nawabs (1760 AD) was the ruler of this area. With the aim of becoming an independent ruler of this area he had constructed an impregnable fort. Before his designs could be fructified, the Nawabs of the Golconda reportedly came to know about his plans and put him to death.

Trekking

Historical Zaffergadh Twin Forts an ideal Spot for Trekking with great atmosphere. The climb up the hill presents you with panoramic views of nature.

Swayambhu Sri Velpugonda Narasimha Swamy Temple 

Historic Swayambhu Sri Velpugonda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple on Top of the Hill with a Beautiful Small Pond.

This temple has a sacred story associated with it. According to a legend there was a pandit in this town of Zaffargadh who in his dream saw Narashimha Swamy who telling him that Lord manifested himself on this hill. Pandit was given the detailed position of manifestation by Narshimha Swamy himself and was asked to spread this to people to this town. Pandit then followed his dream and went to the location on this hill where he located Narashimha Swamy's idol at the location of manifestation. After this, people in this town constructed a temple where they found Sawmy's idol. There is a water sources on this hill where exactly at noon Narashimha Sawmy takes dip in the water and does Surya namaskara by standing at the same place every day. You can see Swamy's footprints at this location. You can actually hear the sound of Swamy taking the dip at noon every day and thereafter you can notice that these foot prints are wet. There is no proper steps/way to get to this temple and that is one of the reason why it did not become popular and not lot of people know about this temple outside of people around this area. You have to literally climb through this hill to get to this temple. No one is supposed to be staying on the hill after dark.

Renovation

Develop Zaffargadh Fort into a tourist destination: Villagers

Built in the 17th century, the Zaffargadh Fort in Jangaon district lies in a dilapidated condition. Cracks have begun to appear in the stone structure of the fortification bastions. Residents have asked the State government to start renovation works at the fort and develop it into a tourist spot. The Zaffargadh Fort was built by Zaffarudhaula, a subedar of the Golconda Nawabs, who was planning to become an independent ruler of the area. He constructed the impregnable fort to fortify his stance. However, he was killed before the entire fort could be completed. 

Cracks have also appeared on the gateways and a portion of the walls, which connects the fort to another structure, has gaping holes. The Zaffargadh village is situated in the valley between the hills on the eastern and western sides. The villagers call the hills Chinnagutta and Peddagutta. The fort was constructed with stones having massive bastions and gateways at four corners of the fortifications with mounted iron cannons.

Three darwaza (inlets) — Khammam darwaza, Patnam darwaza and Hanamkonda darwaza — were constructed. A Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is situated on Peddagutta. The State Archaeology Department has declared Zaffargadh Fort as an ancient monument and notified it as a protected structure under Section 30(1) of the State Archaeological and Remain Act, 1960. No efforts have been made to either protect or renovate the monument.

History

996 AD - 1052 AD : Recherla Brahma or Bamma
Founder : General of Beta I (996 AD - 1052 AD)
Defeated a Choda King and carried away as a trophy of war the doors of kanchi.

1052 AD - 1076 AD : Recherla Muccha
General of Prola I (1052 AD - 1076 AD)

1076 AD - 1108 AD : Recherla Kata I / Kataya

Sura senani killed Kataya nayaka ( Kata I / Kataya Recherla General of Beta II :1076 AD - 1108 AD) and made a person called Rawanrupa  or Ravva Nripa as the ruler of Velpugonda.

1108 A.D : Rawanrupa  or Ravva Nripa

This Viriyala Sura was the son of Erra and Kāmasāni . Sura senani had become famous after Erra Narendra. According to the Gudur inscription, Sura senani killed Kataya nayaka ( Kata I / Kataya Recherla General of Beta II :1076 AD - 1108 AD) and made a person called Rawanrupa  or Ravva Nripa as the ruler of Velpugonda.

1124 AD : Viriyala Malla

Records the endowment of village Bammera in the Velupugonda 24 division by Malla of this family who was the son of Beta and grand son of Sura

1116 AD - 1157 AD : Kama Chamupati
General of Prola II (1116 AD - 1157 AD)

1760 AD : Zaffarudhaula

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2021/Aug/23/develop-zaffargadh-fort-intoa-tourist-destination-villagers-2348449.html

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Kapuram Fort

Kapuram Fort or Kapuram Khilla is located in Kapuram village, Malhar Rao mandal in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana State, India.

Situated in the dense forest about 42 km away from the district headquarters, Kapuram Guttalu (hillocks) also known as Kapuram Khilla is calling for the attention of tourism officials.

While there are three hillocks with a height ranging between 200 to 250 feet, people can scale only one of them with difficulty, for a jaw-dropping experience. The hillocks resemble landscapes of Utah, Colorado, in the USA.

From October to June, people can visit these hillocks. But one should take the help of local residents (Nayakaopodu tribals) during this expedition. The hillocks are not accessible during the monsoon season,” he said, adding that it was not safe to visit the place without the help of the locals as these hillocks are the habitat of some wild animals like sloth bears and others. A stream also flows adjacent to these hillocks.

According to archaeology enthusiast Aravind Arya Pakide, the hillocks were used as a military base during the reign of the Kakatiyas. “We can see the remnants of the fort on the hillocks,” Aravind said.

The hillocks, which are part of the deciduous scrub forests, are the habitat of 80 species of hawks, eagles apart from rare species of butterflies including Banded peacocks. The place is also known for medicinal plants.

Aravind said that the Kapuram Fort (Khilla) needs to be identified as a historical site and steps must be taken to conserve it besides promoting eco-tourism activities by providing road facilities.

Former DFO K Purushotham, who also worked as the DFO of Bhupalpally district, said that the place was once a habitat of the big cat.

When contacted, Kalyanapu Suman who is the Eco-Tourism manager for erstwhile Warangal district said he had made a presentation at the DTPC on the tourism potential following the directions from the then-District Collector and chairman of DTPC, Mohammad Abdul Azeem, and were chalking out plans to promote eco-tourism activities at the Kapuram hills along with other places including Nainpaka temples, Boggulavagu project and Prathapagiri Fort.

 

https://telanganatoday.com/call-to-conserve-ancient-hillocks-in-bhupalpally

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Palvancha Samasthanam and Fort

Palvancha or Palwancha or Paloncha Samsthanam 

Founder : Annappa or Appanna Aswarao

Capitals : Polancha, Bhadrachalam, Ashwaraopet were the capitals of Ashwarao’s descendants.

Palvancha is located in  Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana State, India and was part of Warangal district in Hyderabad during Nizam reign.

This Samasthan was about 800 Sq.Miles is placed next to the samsthan of Gadwal. It was also known as the Hasanabad - Sankaragiri zamindari including the present Bhadrachalam taluk which is made up of the old Bhadrachalam and Rekapalle estates .

One of the most well-known princes of the family in olden days was the recipient of the title of Aswa Rao from Maharajjah Pratapa Rudra who held sway over Warangal before the Mahomedans conquered Southern India. It would appear that the Maharajah had a horse of the best mettle, and it was ungovernable; but in spite of this defect in the animal, the Maharajah on account of the excellence of the breed conceived a great liking for it. The Prince tried the horse and rode it so well that the Maharajah was agreeably surprised and conferred on him the title of Aswa Rao (aswa meaning a horse, and Rao meaning king). From that time forward the titles has became hereditary.

This is the capital of a large zemindary tributary to theNizam, situated in the north-western quarter of the Hyderabad province, 88 miles N. W. Rajamundry, lat. 17° 56' N. long. 81° 2' E. The town is situated in a rich and luxuriant valley, about four miles wide, surrounded on all sides by lofty ranges of mountains, the passes through which are the only accesses to Paloonshah. 

The fort of Palvancha is 150 yards square, built of stone with octagon bastions, but is a post of no strength, being completely commanded by a high hill to the eastward. The rampart may be ridden up and down on any side, and resembles the bank of a tank. The faces are irregular, but on two of them the ditch is dug deep. 

1324 A. D : Anapa Aswa Rao

Anapa Ashwa Rao, who received Bahdrachalam in free jhagir from the emperor of delhi in 1324.

Annappa Aswarao who is now reckoned as the progenitor of the family was the ruling chief of the estate. The Emperor however established his suzerainty over Annappa Aswarao, and granted him a free perpetual sunnud on feudal tenure under the condition of supplying the Imperial army with five hundred soldiers whenever called upon. The Zamindari had been enjoyed by eighteen descendants of the family in succession with independent right free of any kind of assessment.

Palwancha samsthan consisted of six sub - taluqas with an annual income of only Rs 70,000. The tribute paid to the Nizam was Rs 45,875.

The leaders of Polancha Samasthan who were the descendants of Recherla Nayaks worked under Kakatiya Pratapa Rudra as Armed force Chief and Calvary heads. 

Palvancha Estate was originally obtained in 1324. During 1324, Appanna was the leader of Shankaragiri and Hasanabad.

The state was owned in the beginning by the Mutyala Family and Mutyala Aswa Rao is reckoned as the first line of Rajahs. The Zamindari was then taken possession of by the force and successively held by the Jalgam, Tandra, Settipalli, Kandimandla and Damara families.

1574 AD : Kumalapa Aswa Rao 

In 1574 Kumalapa Aswa Rao the 14th zamindar leased out Rekapalle Estate in 1574 to a family in Korukonda Venayek Razoo in lease for an annual payment of ₹600 and and condition of his keeping up a small body of armed men for service. 

1769 AD : Raja Narasimha Aswa Rao

19th Zamindar of the family.

The ruling Zamindar in 1796 was Rajah Narasimha Aswa Rao. Just then, there were many changes in the Supreme Government at Delhi, and the Zamindar, whose assistance was sought by the Moghul Emperor, asserted his right and refused to comply with his request. 

When visited by Captain Blunt in 1794, the town was populous, ajid two miles in circumference, but consisted mostly of poor Telinghy huts. It had also a manufactory of matchlocks, jinjalls, spears, sabres, and other weapons; but it has since greatly decayed, for when captured by a Madras de- tachment, in 1813, it presented a very miserable appearance. 

Palcondah, where the zemindar resides, is a common mud gurry or native fort in the plain, not different from those at almost all the large villages in the Nizam's country, besides which he possesses five or six other gurries in the neighbourhood. The country is naturally strong, and the climate sickly and unhealthy.

1769 AD - 1778 AD : Zafrad-daulah, also known as Zabid Jung

Zafrad-daulah, also known as Zabid Jung, who was on hostile terms with Rajah Narasimha Aswa Rao foully murdered him and carried away immense treasure, and also the old sunnuds and other important papers connected with the estate. To the titles of the Aswara Rao family were added the distinguished epithets of Rifuth va avail panaha. H. H. The Nizam took possession of the estate which under his management was called Parganai Hasanbad va Senharagiri Sarhar Kammamet Suhai Phiralmnd Buniyad Hyderabad Deccan.

1778 AD - 1779 AD : Ramachendra Aswa Rao

After the death of Zafarudowla, Ramachendra Aswa Rao, one of the descendants of Narasimha Aswa Rao, regained his estate and enjoyed it for a year.

1779 AD - 1812 AD : Damera Venkata Rama Aswarao

 Later on, Rajah Venkatarama Narasimha Aswa Rao, the twenty-first in succession from Annappa Aswarao, who originally obtained a sunnud from Tamerlane, was granted a fresh one by Meer Nizam Ali Khan Bahadur in the year 1798, 1240, Hezree with the titles of Rajah, Bahadur, Savai, and Munsubdar. He was further permitted to maintain an army of two thousand horse, and three thousand foot and carry an Alam, and Nagara, and sunnuds were issued by His Highness the Nizam accordingly.

1809 AD : Adoption, first in the family caused great deal of disturbance and even bloodshed.The adopting zamindar belong to the Damara Ashwa Rao family and selected as his heir a boy of the Kundemulla family. This choice was resented and resisted by other family. The Setpilly Ash Rao family who thought one of their members are to have been selected. The struggle between the members of this families went on for more than 40 years and Setpilly family was at first victorious, but the representative made a raid into British territory, and was taken prisoner and carried up to Hyderabad in 1811. 

1811 AD - 1850 AD : Rajah Narasimha Aswarao

After him, Rajah Narasimha Aswarao, who was commonly known as Savanna Aswarao, ascended the  Palavancha

1811 AD : The Damara adoptee was now appointed zamindar of Nizam, but he was so harassed by the Setpilly, 1819 a European officer Mr. Ralph was sent with the body of local troops to Palwancha where he remain to keep order for three years

In 1812, Ashwa Row, the zamindar of Palvancha, became notorious as the instigator and protector of a band of robbers that infested the British territories, who sought an asylum on his estates, and shared with him the booty of their marauding expeditions. His ordinary force was estimated at from 2 to 3000 irregular foot, armed with matchlocks and pikes, and probably as many more could be mustered, if any adequate prospect of plunder were held out. In con- sequence of these depredations, a detachment was marched against Paloonshah in 1813, but the place was found entirely deserted except by a few peons left in charge of the fort, Ashwa Row having retired to the village of Badrachellum, on the left bank of the Godavery, where an attempt was made to surprize and take him prisoner, but he escaped. There was found here a country iron 12- pounder in front of the gate outside, and on the bastions a few one and two- pounders, and some jinjalls. Although on this occasion the zemindar saved his person, he was not equally fortunate in preserving his purse, for he was the same year condemned to pay the sum of 50,000 Hyderabad rupees, as a com- pensation for depredations committed by his followers in the Masulipatam dis- trict, which sum, after many delays and evasion, was at last realized in 1816, and paid over to the sufferers.

The Nizam soon intervened again, this time, granting a small portion of the estate to the settipalli's, and one village to the Damaras and taking the rest under his own management.

1844 AD - 1851 AD : The Setpillys defied the local authorities in 1844 and seized the greater part of the estate, but the representative died in 1851

In 1848 some of the Rohillas in the Setpilly Zamindars Service became so troublesome that for companies of the Hyderabad contingent with some irregular Cavaleri under the command of Captain Hall, and another officer was dispatched against them from Warangal, The Rohillas having shut themselves up in the Zamindars house, which was surrounded by Highwall, assisted the troops, and there was a shot engagement which ended in the defeat of the Rohillas. Captain, Howell died of sunstroke from the exposure, and the other officer, who was with him, was wounded in the foot

Raja Narasimha Aswarao died leaving three minor sons and two daughters; one of the latter died unmarried. 

1851 AD - 1859 AD : Seeta Ramachendra Savai Aswarao Bahadur

After a little disturbance and some negotiation, the property was handed over finally to the Damaras on a decision being passed in their favor in 1852 AD by an influential  zamindars 

1852 AD : Captain Bullock, with the force of six companies under command marched from Warangal on sixth April 1852, and engaged a party of Rohilla's at Palooncha and took 200 prisoners

During the minority of these children, the Settipalli family disputed with them for the estate, and the Government having referred the matter to arbitration decided the dispute in favour of the minor princes. The eldest of these princes having died a bachelor, the second one succeeded to the estate and held it for sometime, and was again succeeded by his brother Seeta Ramachendra Savai Aswarao Bahadur, who again obtained a permanent sunnud from the Nizam's Government. But during the reign of this Rajah the estate ran into debt and was mortgaged to a greedy sowcar. About this time, the Nizam made over to the British Government the territory lying along the left bank of the Godavari, which included a portion of the estate of the Aswaraos called Sri Bhadrachalam.

Until the Bhadrachalam was handed over to the British government by the Nizam in 1860 the zamindar always kept a troop of Rohillas, who received very little pay for their services and lived chiefly by looting. The country around the Taluq was divided into 10 samutus, each of which theoretically contain 25, Koya villages, and each of which had to supply for a month without pay or batta 100 Koyas to carry burdens, fetch supplies, etc. for the rulers and 100 Madigas to act as horse keepers. The whole country appears to have been at the mercy of this undisciplined Rohilla's.

All was grist, right Mr. Cain that came to their mill, even the clothes of the poor Koya woman who are frequently stripped and then regarded as subjects of ridicule. The Koyas has frequently told me that they never could lie down to rest at night without feeling that before morning, the slumbers might be rudely disturbed that house is burnt and the property carried off. As a rule, they hid their grain in caves and holes of large trees. The last great plundering took place in 1859 not far from but Parnsala

Seetha Ramachendra Savai Aswarao soon after died a bachelor, leaving after him an aged mother, and a married sister. 

1859 AD - 1874 AD : Kanee Lakshmi Narasamma Rao

1860 AD : Rekapalle Estate was part of Palvancha estate of Aswa Raos, after Bhadrachalam and Rekapalle were transferred from Nizam dominions to Central Provinces. Bhadrachalam Zamindars were called superior proprietors, while Rekapalle Zamindars were called Inferior Proprietors.

The estate was therefore registered in the name of his mother Kanee Lakshmi Narasamma Rao. While matters stood thus, the mortgagee sowcar who managed the estate for twelve years instituted a suit for the recovery of a very large amount, the principal having multiplied itself half a dozen times under the most complicated system of compound interest. The defendant Ranee, being unable to contest the suit ably, the sowcar gained his case and obtained a decree for six lakhs of rupees, whereby for only a half of the amount decreed, he carried off the best portion of the estate—the two patties of Mulluru and Ramanujavaram; and had the remaining three lakhs paid out of the Nizam's exchequer. 

Dispossessed of her ancient estate thus, Ranee Lakshmeenarasamma Rao died in disappointment and despair, leaving a daughter and a daughter's son, Sree Rajah Parthasarathy Appa Rao Savai Aswarao Bahadur in whose veins runs the blood of both Aswarao and Appa Rao families. 

Followed before her death in 1874 by her daughter son Parthasarathy, Apparao who is that

1874 AD - 1910 AD : Raja Parthasarathi Appa rao

The young prince proceeded early in his life to Hyderabad and instituted a suit for the recovery of his maternal estate.

Sri Rajah Parthasaradhi Appa Rao Savai Aswa Rao Bahadur is most respectably connected also on the paternal side. He is the eighteenth in descent from the first member of the family, of which Venkayya Appa Rao, generally known as Vijaya Appa Rao, had obtained two sunnuds on the 30th January 1763 from Asaf Jah, whereby he was granted the large Zemindari of Nuzvid.

Srinathuni Venkata Rama Kavi composed the books “Sri Rama Pattabishekam” or “Ashwaraya Chatitra”. Raja Parthasarathi Appa rao had a title Sahitya Visharada. Sri Kottapalli Venkatarama Lakshmi Narayana Sharma was his court poet.

Narashima Appa Rao was succeeded by his son Venkatadri Appa Rao, who died on 18th May 1891, leaving his son and successor, Sree Rajah Parthasaradhi Appa Rao, the present Rajah and Badshahee Munsubdar ot Palavancha and Bhadrachelam estates. He is as already described the grandson (Dawhitra) of Ranee Lakshmi Narasamma Rao, and the British Government recognising his heirship to that Ranee, registered the Bhadrachalam portion of the Palavancha estate in his name in 1896.

Sri Raja Vijaya Apparao  II

Sri Raja Vijaya Apparao was patron of Andhra Vangmaya Samithi established in Burgampadu and Paloncha. Sri Kottapali Venkataramalakshmi Narayana Sharma composed Paloncha Samasthan Charitra.

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Kaulas Fort

Kaulas or Kowlas Fort is located in Kaulas Village, Jukkal mandal, Kamareddy District, Telangana State, India , at the border of three states – Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Kaulas or Koulas village, which holds the illustrious past like a jewel in the crown, presently a gram panchayat, falls under Jukkal mandal. However, locals say that the fort has been empty for decades now but sees many visitors.

In the past there kingdoms Kaulas, Bodhan and Nizamabad were called Indur.

Spread across 6 sq km with two entrances, Kaulas is perhaps one of the largest royal forts in the state. The mega fort sits majestically on the outskirts of Kaulas village, less than 1 km from the main village, and is surrounded by the Kaulas nala (stream).

According to historians, it was built in Indra IV’s period of the Rashtrakuta dynasty in their political capital and was later captured by the Chalukyas of the Kalyani dynasty in the third quarter of the 10th century before it was captured by the Kakatiyas in the 12th century.

According to the state Heritage department, the Kakatiya insignia is inscribed on the fort’s gateways.

The Kakatiya kingdom, which ruled from present day Warangal, held the Kaulas Fort till 1323 AD, a period more or less parallel to the one and only Kakatiya woman ruler, Rani Rudrama Devi. Later, the Kaulas region is said to have come under the rule of the Bahmanis, Qutb Shahis, Yadavas, Naikwaries, Mughals, Devagiri, Kalyani, Marathas, etc and finally under the Asaf Jahis (Nizams) (1724 to 1948)

The main gate of the fort can be reached by traversing a path through agricultural fields and then crossing the Kaulas nala. As one takes the wide stairs, a cannon welcomes us in less than 3 feet. Multi-tier rock cut layers and several bastions in each corner is said to have made the fort unassailable by enemies.

The massive fortress is home to more than 50 bastions, with Hussaini, Mallika, Mula and Kadika Burj being the prominent ones. Three temples (Venkateswara, Ramalayam and Ganapati Mahadev temple) in the complex, which were constructed under different dynasties, have rare sculptures of goddesses.

A strong defence mechanism is visible at the fort; multi-layered walls, tall bastions and moats along the fort shows how unconquerable it once must have been.

“The different structures in the fort show semi-Dravidian and Indo-Islamic architecture as the fort was ruled by different dynasties,” Kumaraswamy says about fort’s architecture.

A view from any bastion of the fort shows the entire Kaulas nala and the miles of forests that the fort is situated amidst.

The RamaTemple, built of black and white basalt stone in the 17th century, is adorned with exquisite carvings and was restored in the past decade. The Kasikund Temple, built by Rajput kings, has a fresh water spring. There are also temples dedicated to Hanuman and Balaji. It is said that there were about 10 cannons inside the fort though later, most were shifted to police stations in Nanded and Bichkunda. However, four still remain – the most notable amongst which is the exquisitely crafted Navgazi tope (Hindi for cannon) atop a bastion. There are two natural reservoirs inside the fort, which once provided water to its inhabitants.

There is an Ashtabuji Mata (also known as Jagadamba Mata) Temple behind the fort, where the Rajput rulers went for benediction before embarking on a battle. There are also two mosques in the surrounding forest. As you exit to the main highway near Koulas Fort and drive towards Hyderabad, you will come across a picturesque lake, a few kilometres ahead, on your left. The desolate water body is a pleasant place to break a long journey.

Rashtrakutas

Chalukyas of Badami

Kakatiyas

In 1303, the Delhi Sultanate launched a military campaign against the Kakatiya kingdom. This resulted in the capture of the strategic fortress of Kaulas.

1325 AD – 1368 AD : Musunuri Nayaks

In 1347 the Bahmani kingdom was established by Allauddin Bahman Shah and soon Kapaya was involved in a struggle with that kingdom over the fort of Kaulas

In 1361, he gifted to the Bahmani Sultan Mohammed Shah I the Turquoise throne of Warangal, made during the Delhi rule, as part of a treaty agreement

Many battles were fought between the Bahmanis and Musunuri Chiefs in this village . 

1350 AD - 1518 AD : Bahmani Sultanate 
1350 AD : Bahman Shah led his first campaign against Warangal in 1350 and forced its ruler Kapaya Nayaka to cede to him the fortress of Kaulas which was added to Bidar district, currently known as Kalaburagi.

1355 AD : Vinayaka Deva, the son of Kaapaya was sent to free the fort of Kaulas helped by Bukka Raya, the king of Vijayanagar. However, eventually he was killed in a disastrous manner by Bahmani Force under Bahadur Khan

Rachakonda Recherla Nayaks as subordinates of Bahmani Sultanate    

1361 AD - 1383 AD : Anavotha nayaka
Capital : Rachakonda

1518 AD – 1687 AD : Qutbshahis / Golconda Sultanate

1518 AD - 1543 AD : Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk

While Sooltan Koolly was engaged in the siege of Koheer, Ibrahim Adil Shah, in conjunction with Kasim Bereed, had attacked part of the Telingana territories; and Sooltan Koolly, having now returned to his capital, resolved to revenge himself for the insult and injury done to him. He accordingly led an army against the fort of Etgeer, belonging to the King of Beejapoor, and also sent different detachments to recover the districts of Kakny, Gorowly, and Nargy, which had been usurped by Ismael Adil Shah during the time Sooltan Koolly Kootb Shah was engaged in war with Ramchundur and Seetaputty. The several detachments in a short time succeeded in reducing those districts, and occupied them in the name of Sooltan Koolly; after which the King invested the fortress of Etgeer, and at the same time sent an ambassador to Kasim Bereed Shah, demanding the cession of the towns of Meduk and Kowlas. 

1543 AD - 1550 AD : Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah

1543 AD : Jagadeva Rao

Under Jamsheed’s rule, Jagdeva Rao rose to an eminent position. Jamshed acquired the tract round the fort of Kaulas , pushed Ali Barid into the Kaulas fort which was then ruled by Jagadeva Rao the chief of Naikwaris (Hindu soldiery).

1687 - 1724 A.D : Mughal Empire

1701 AD : Venkata Rao

During 1701 CE, Zamindar Venkata Rao accepted Aurangazeb’s rule and gave away his army. For this, he was given the position of ‘mansabdar’ in Mughal emperor’s army. Thus Venkat Rao became the first Telugu Zamiindar to join the mughal army.

Aurangzeb appointed two Kiladars, Khuni Khan and Ikhlas Khan who constructed two big mosques at the fort.

Two mosques and temples are seen in a dilapidated condition and covered by large, overgrown bushes. Rani mahal, Elephant well (Enugula bavi) and other wells are the highlights of the fort. Several bastions are in a damaged or deteriorating situation.

1724 - 1948 : Asaf Jahis 

1724 A.D - I748 A.D: Asaf Jah I - Mir Kamar-ud-din / Nizam-ul-Mulk

1724 AD : Raja Gopal Singh Gaur

The Nizams appointed Raja Gopal Singh Gaur, a Kshatriya or Rajput, as the Chief of Kaulas in the 1720s and his successors held this fort till 1948 when the Indian Union over took Hyderabad state. It was during this time that the Jagdamba Bhawani cannon or the Navgarji tope, which was the largest (10 feet long) cannon in the world of its time, was said to have made by Raja Gopal Singh in the year 1728.

While there are tales about Raja Gopal Singh’s bravery and warfare tactics, there is also ambiguity about his identity.

1748 A.D - 1750 A.D: Mir Ahmed Khan, Nasir Jung

1750 A.D -1751 A.D: Muzaffar Jung

1751 A.D - 1761 A.D: Salabat Jung

 

1857 AD - 1900 AD : Raja Deep Singh

Kaulas was always a crucial region irrespective of who was ruling. It’s also said that from a military point of view as well the Kaulas samsthanam (dominion) was strong. A successor of Raja Gopal Singh, Raja Deep Singh, is said to have participated in the 1857 Indian Rebellion from this fort and was persecuted for the same.

Raja of Kowlas , Convict No. 558 , pleaded his ignorance about the agent of Nana . He , however , confessed that Kasi Ram , Convict No. 560 , stayed at Kowlas for 21/2 months and that Shaikh Madar , Convict No. 559 , visited Kowlas

1900 AD - 1915 AD : Raja Durjan Singh
The last chief, Raja Durjan Singh, died prematurely and childless. In 1915 it came directly under the rule of the Nizam.The annual revenue of the fiefdom was then 22,517 rupees.

1915 : Kiladar Maulvi Muhammad Jamaluddin Sheikh

Kiladar (Kiladar-e-Kaulas) Maulvi Muhammad Jamaluddin Sheikh, a zamindar (landlord) of Turkish descent belonging to the Barlas clan and a descendant of Muhammad Sheikh who was the great-great-grandson of Emir Timur through his son Umar Sheikh Mirza. His sons held the position of Kiladar until the 1947 Partition of India. 

Maulvi Jamaluddin Sheikh had 3 sons named Moinuddin Cowlas, Khwaja Karimuddin Sheikh & Khwaja Nizamuddin Sheikh who after Partition of India moved to Pakistan.

Situated around 200 km from Hyderabad, one can reach the fort by taking National Highway 161 to Jukkal, from where Kaulas village is less than 20 km. The fort can also be approached via NH44 through Kamareddy and Banswada.

https://www.thenewsminute.com/telangana/slice-telangana-history-exploring-once-impregnable-kaulas-fort-109363

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Thatikonda Fort

Thatikonda or Tatikonda Fort is located in Thatikonda village, Station Ghanpur mandal, Jangaon district, Telangana State, India.

Thatikonda Fort is built in the 17th century by Sardar Sarvai Papadu, popularly known as Sardar Sarvai Papanna of Quillashapur, a local leader who had then defied Mughal imperial authority and also revolted against the Golconda Nawabs. The historic Quilla i.e., hill fort is situated in survey no. 513 and the gadis are in survey no. 369. The fortifications lie on the top of the hillock. The mud fortification wall in intermittent patches runs from the top to the fort of the hill to join the gadi.

The gadi is square in plan covering an area of about 5.36 acres. The basal width of wall is 3 feet and the height is about 16-20 feet. The material used for the construction of walls from the basement until 3 feet is stone and above this, it is made of mud. The mud wall consists of pati earth, which is mixed with potsherds, gravel, coarse sand, small chips etc. The mud wall appears to be consisting of different layers. It has four bastions on four corners. The bastions are constructed with dressed stones.

Restoration

July 23, 2021: Rains cause crack in the mud wall of Thatikonda Fort

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2021/jul/23/rains-cause-crack-in-the-mud-wall-of-thatikonda-fort-2334008.html

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Shamsheer Kota

Shamsheer Kota is located in Golconda, Hyderabad district, Telangana State, India.

During the reign of Ibrahim Qutb Shah, royal arms and weaponry were stored in this building.

There are many historic monuments near Golconda fort of Hyderabad and one of them is Shamsheer Kotha monument which is located near Khazana Building on the main road from the Fateh Darwaza to Bala Hissar. There are series of rooms for storing arms and weapons and a masjid, constructed in Qutb Shahi style.

There is a large cannon on display at the entrance gate here that reflects the glory of historic era of Qutb Shahis who had ruled this region for nearly two centuries.

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Koilkonda Fort

Koilkonda Fort is located in Koilkonda village, Koilkonda Mandal, Mahabubnagar district of Telangana State, India. 

Koilkonda Fort is the erstwhile outpost of the Qutab Shahi dynasty situated on a hilltop. To reach the top, one needs to hike across a deep gorge on the west or a series of streams if coming through east before reaching a plight of steps that leads to the fort. To enter the Koilkonda Fort, seven gates have to be crossed. The first one spots an inscription of Ibrahim Qutab Shah that belongs to 1550 AD. Fourth gate leads to a dilapidated palace. There is also a mosque, an Idgah and a pond here. The Fort also has a ashurkhana dedicated to Bibi Fatima and is revered by both Hindus and Muslims.

For those who love adventure, thrills and everything in nature, Koilkonda Fort, situated around 140 km from Hyderabad in Mahbubnagar district, will quench your thirst for the adrenaline rush and offer peace at the same time.

The place, which is largely deserted and is only dominated by the tweeting of birds, provides a unique hiking opportunity. To reach the top, you need to walk across a deep canyon on the west or a series of streams, if coming through east, before reaching a flight of steps that leads to the fort. It is an erstwhile outpost of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, which is perched on a hilltop.

To enter the fort, you have to cross as many as seven gates. While the first gate spots an inscription of Ibrahim Qutb Shah that dates back to 1550 and a broad chain lying on the ground, the fourth gate leads to a dilapidated palace or a royal residence.

The trail is not fit for a beginner since the path to the top is challenging. You have to pass through thorny bushes, boulders and trails that are slippery and difficult at times. The journey might be quite strenuous and adventurous at the same time. Be prepared for at least an hour’s hike.

There is also a mosque, an Idgah and a pond here. The fort also has an ‘ashurkhana’ dedicated to Bibi Fatima.

Nonetheless, the challenging hike is worth the effort. The view from the top, of the countryside, surrounding greenery, and of Koilsagar Dam will leave you amazed. The weather on the top is pleasant. You will feel like unwinding there until the end of the day and witness the beautiful sunset from the top. But, locals say that it is not safe enough to stay at the place till nightfall since the fort is completely deserted. Also, it is advisable to go here with a group and in broad daylight and when the weather is cool. Avoid visiting the place when the climate is hot. Start descending before sunset itself. Hydrate yourself throughout the hike. Mobile signals of Airtel and Jio are excellent in this area, even on the top.

Make sure you wear trekking pants or joggers. Wear trekking shoes since rocks are slippery. Take a basic first-aid kit and carry enough water bottles and snacks with you as there are no food stalls and water sources along the trek.

You can plan camping here or the water bed of the Koilsagar Dam – but only if you are expert trekkers or hikers. The condition of the road is really good and you can enjoy the ride through the countryside.

You can also visit Koilsagar Dam, located 34 km from the fort. It is a medium-sized irrigation project constructed in the period of the Nizams during 1945-48. It stretches across Peddavagu river, a minor tributary of River Krishna. The western stretch of this picturesque reservoir is surrounded by hills, making it a beautiful spot and is a treat for the eyes during sunrise and sunset. In case you love fishing don’t forget to take your fishing rods for some lovely catch.

Trekking
Prepare for a 30-40 minute hike that includes crossing seven gates (with intricate Telugu inscriptions, and symbols) amidst ruins, and silence broken only by the sound of chirping birds. Inside the fort is a mosque, an idgah, an ashurkhana, and a pond as well. However, the view from the top, of the surrounding greenery and of Koilsagar Dam is breath-taking.

The dam is at a distance of about 10 km from the fort and was constructed during the Nizam's time. Beautiful during sunsets, this place is as tranquil as it is picturesque. So, whether you are a nature/travel photographer, an adventure seeker or just someone who seeks solitude this is for you. That said, we do recommend you don't go here on a solo trip, for the desolated state of the place can be scary.

Sources

https://mahabubnagar.telangana.gov.in/gallery/koilkonda-fort/

https://telanganatoday.com/koilkonda-a-fort-full-of-adventure-in-telangana

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Chandraghad Fort & Temple

Chandraghad Fort is located at Chandraghad Village in Narva Mandal in Narayanpet District of Telangana. It is on the banks of River Krishna. 

This Hill Fort is located close to Jurala Dam. The picturesique Hill fort is located on the banks of river Krishna. This Fort was built during Peshwas and belongs to Chandrasena Jilledar. 

The fort had been constructed in a very strong way so as to act as the store house of grains and taxes collected from people before transferring them to Peshwas. 

The Hill fort presents a very picturesque view. There are 5 ponds existing in the fort and the ancient Shiva Temple. The Hill fort is so grand that one may see the fort even from a few kilometers away.

At a distance of 1.3 km from Chandraghad, 8 km from Jurala Dam, 74 km from Mahabubnagar Bus Station and 163 km from Hyderabad,

The Sri Ramalingeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located in the fort. There are several water bodies exist in the fort. It requires about one km walk from the nearest road point to trek to the hilltop.

Chandraghad is about 2 km from the main road between Jurala and Atmakur. Public transport to Chandraghad is very poor.

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Undrugonda Fort & Temple

Undrukonda Fort is located 10 km from Suryapet town. It is located on a hill, surrounded by think forest in 1,372 acres. 

The ruins of the Undrugonda fort are of archaeological significance and they represent the various methods used in construction during that era. The central pillars are carved in typical Kakatiya style. The historic fort offers a lot of scope to understand the rich legacy of the region.

The fort is believed to have been built during Kakatiya times and later it fell under the control of Muslim invaders after the fall of Kakatiyas. The fortifications are spread across an area of 1 to 3 km’s along the hillock along with a famous Narasimha Swamy temple here.

Ugranarasimhaswamy temple is located on Undrugondadurgam (fort). The image of Narasimhaswamy on Garuda peetam is under a natural cave which was converted as a temple by constructing a garbhalaya and pillared mandapa.

Remnants of fortification walls are seen on the Undrugonda fort. At the foot of the fort an open mandapa is located. The ruins of this temple as well as fort are of archaeological significance and they represent the various methods used in construction during that era. 

The historic fort offers a lot of scope to understand the rich legacy of the region. This is an important fort of historical importance in Vemchimla mandal of Suryapet district and the Ugranarasimhaswamy temple here represents the historical significance of this region.

Locals throng the temple during festival occasions. The famous temple and the ruins here attract tourists and history lovers from all over, especially the picturesque hillock with a historic backdrop is a wonderful destination to visit.

https://tsdamblog.com/fortifications-undrugonda/

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Khilashapur Fort

Khilashapur or Quileshapur or Khila Shapur Fort is located in Khilashapur village, Raghunathpalle Mandal, Jangaon District, Telangana State, India about 5 km from Raghunathpalli Railway station

The fort built by Sardar Sarvai Pappanna (1650 and died in 1709 A.D) is estimated to be built in 1690, according to researcher and heritage enthusiast Aravind Arya Pakide. The fort was constructed on square in plan with massive bastions at four corners of the fortifications. Recently, deep pointing works were done by removing tree overgrowths to strengthen the walls.

Although Papadu built forts at Bhongir, Thatikonda, Kolanpak, Cheriyal, Karimnagar, Huzurabad and Husnabad, he made Khilashapur fort as his capital. The outer wall of the Khilashapur fort was constructed by stones and the inside structures were built by dung sunnam (lime mortar mix). The fort has five buruzus (fortified towers). The ramparts of the fort were built conveniently to place cannon fires. Currently, there are only two cannons existing and the other two are missing. The fort is also believed to have secret tunnels to escape. In all, the fort reflects the war capabilities of Papadu.

Restoration

Authorities of the State Archaeology department are planning to develop the Quilla (fort) at Quilla Shapur or Quileshapur village of Raghunathpally mandal in Jangoan district, thanks to the State government’s commitment to conserve monuments.

Oct 16, 2020 : Historic Quilashapur fort’s wall in Telangana collapses due to rains

Source 

https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/telangana-historic-khilashapur-fort-wall-crumbles-651596
https://telanganatoday.news/quilla-shapur-preserving-the-remnants

https://www.thenewsminute.com/telangana/historic-quilashapur-fort-s-wall-telangana-collapses-due-rains-135482

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Telangana Forts

Telangana has numerous Forts because of its rich history.

Due to the district's reorganization in 11th October 2016

1. Adilabad : Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial and Nirmal.
2. Nizamabad : Nizamabad and Kamareddy
3. Karimanagar : Karimnagar, Jagtial, Rajanna Sricilla, Peddapalli
4. Warangal : Warangal, Hanumakonda, Mahabubabad, Jangaon, Jayashankar Bhoopalpally and Mulugu on February 17, 2019 carved out from Jayashankar Bhoopalpally 
5. Medak : Medak, Sangareddy and Siddipet district is carved out of erstwhile Medak district with annexation of some parts of Karimnagar and Warangal districts.
6. Rangareddy : Rangareddy, Vikarabad, Medchal Malkajgiri
7. Hyderabad
8. Nalgonda : Nalgonda, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri and Suryapet.
9. Mahabubnagar : Mahabubnagar, Narayanpet, Jogulamba Gadwal, Wanaparthy, Nagarkurnool
10. Khammam

1. Adilabad Utnoor Gond Fort
2. Kumaram Bheem Asifabad Sirpur Fort
3. Mancherial Gandhari Fort
4. Nirmal Forts
5. Nizamabad Fort
6. Kamareddy Koulas Fort
7. Kamareddy Domakonda Fort
8. Jagitial Fort
9. Jagtial Kotilingala Fort
10. Rajanna Sircilla Ananthagiri Fort
11. Rajanna Sircilla Fort
12. Peddapalli Ramagiri Fort
13. Karimnagar Elagandal Fort
14. Karimnagar Nagunur Fort
15. Karimnagar Molangur Fort
16. Jayashankar Bhoopalpally Kapuram Fort
17. Jayashankar Bhoopalpally Pratapgiri Fort 
18. Mulugu Mallur Fort
19. Warangal Fort
20. Hanamkonda Fort
21. Jangoan Zaffargadh Fort
22. Jangaon Khilashapur or Quilashapur or Khila Shapur Fort
23. Jangaon Sardar Sarvai Papanna Fort
24. Jangaon Thatikonda Fort
25. Mahabubabad 
26. Siddipet
27. Medak Fort
28. Medak Papannapet Fort and Samsthanam
29. Sangareddy Kailash Fort
30. Sangareddy Wadakpally Fort
31. Medchal Malkajgiri
32. Hyderabad Golkonda Fort
33. Hyderabad Charminar Fort
34. Ranagareddy Gadikota Fort is also known as the Akkanna Serai
35. Vikarabad
36. Mahabubnagar Koilkonda Fort
37. Wanaparthy Khilla Ghanpur Fort
38. Wanaparthy Palace
39. Wanaparthy Atmakur Amarachinta Samsthanam
40. Narayanpet Chandragadh Fort
41. Jogulamba Gadwal Fort
42. Nagarkurnool Jataprolu Kollapur Samsthanam
43. Nalgonda Devarakonda Fort
44. Nalgonda Pangal Fort
45. Yadadri Bhuvanagiri or Bhongir Fort
46. Yadadri Bhuvanagiri Rachakonda Fort
47. Suryapet Nadigudi Fort
48. Suryapet Undrugonda Fort
49. Khammam Fort
50. Bhadradri Kothagudem Palavoncha or Paloncha Samsthanam

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Pangal Fort

Pangal Fort is located at Pangal in Wanaparthy District of Telangana, India.

Pangal Fort is one of the Famous Hill Forts in Telangana. It was built by Kalyani Chalukya Kings during 11th and 12th Centuries. The fort is spread across hundreds of acres with Seven Gateways. The Main entrance is called as Mundlagavini and is a special attraction of this fort. It was built with huge granite rocks.

The ruins of the fort houses several monuments built with beautiful architecture, including Uyyala Mandapam and several water bodies. Many deadly wars had taken place among the dynasties like Bahamani, Vijayanagara, Padmanayaka and Qutub Shahis at this fort. The fort also witnessed guerrilla warfare during the revolted against the Nizam.

The specialty of the fort is its area ad terrain. Spread across hundreds of acres of land in rugged hilly terrain with thorny vegetation, the fort area is guarded by seven gateways. There are some small ponds, rock structures and beautiful rock formations. This abandoned fort is now neglected and filled with beautiful green foliage through out. The fort was controlled by the Kalyani Chalukya, Bahmani, Padmanayaka, Reddiraajulu, Qutb Shahis and many local warlords. Due to the invention of the cannon, simple hill forts have become useless to host large armies and therefore abandoned. The forts was impregnable in guerrilla warfare where small rebel groups revolted against the Nizams.

Pangal can be reached from Wanaparthy which is 15 km away. The trekking starts from Pangal village and it is an easy trek which takes about 2 hours to reach the peak, explore and come back to the village.

At a distance of 1.5 km from Pangal Bus Station, 15 km from Wanaparthy Bus Station, 74 km from Mahabubnagar Bus Station and 163 km from Hyderabad.

Sources

https://www.trawell.in/telangana/mahabubnagar/pangal-fort

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Koulas Fort & Temple

Koulas Fort is located in Koulas village, Jukkal mandal of Kamareddy district, Telangana State, India.

Little known Koulas fort dating back to the fourteenth century, spread across six square km has the potential of becoming a much sought after tourist destination.

Situated on the border of Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra States, 180 km from Hyderabad and 100 km from the district headquarter town of Nizamabad, Koulas fort can be a tourists’ delight as a quick getaway for one day. The trip can also be tagged on with a visit to the historic Nizamsagar, the irrigation project built by the seventh Nizam on the Manjira, and Koulasnala projects close by.

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Khilla Ghanpur Fort

Khilla Ghanpur Fort is located in Ganpur village & Mandal, Wanaparthy District, Telangana State, India.

This hill fort was built by joining two mountains by Recharla Padma Nayakulu and Gona Ganapa reddy in 13th century. This fort has witnessed many wars between Bahamanis, Vijayanagara Kings, Bijapur Kings and Qutb Shahi Kings etc. The cannons which still exist have been kept on the top most side of the fort. We can also see palace and ministers houses ruins.

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Utnoor or Utnur Fort

Utnoor or Utnur Gond Fort located in Utnoor village and Mandala in Adilabad district, Telangana State, Indiais spread on a 15-acre area consisting even of a step well modelled on the lines of the famous step wells of Rajasthan.

The fort was constructed around 1309 AD and has seen centuries of neglect. The main entrance, completely crumbled, is located on the east and leads to an inner gate, a major portion of which stands even today. While the ramparts were built of brick and mortar, the inner walls were made of mud and the inner gate was constructed with stone.

The inner gate is a tall arched structure which leads to the living quarters and the garrison inside the minor fort. Earlier, there was a staircase by the side of the inner gate which led to an elevated platform from where the king held a darbar or court.

There is a beautiful well with steps to the left of the inner gate which is in a comparatively better stage of preservation.

The well, apparently used by women in the family has changing rooms at different levels.

“Though the style of arches looks like Persian, there are subtle changes which show that Gonds had an architectural style of their own. The huge and high base of the arches is an example,” pointed out Kala Ratna awardee Guruji Ravinder Sharma, himself an artist and architect who founded Adilabad’s Kala Ashram.

The Gond Kings who ruled for 230 years with Utnoor as the centre in Asifabad district were known for their concern for the welfare of farmers. They were better known for taking welfare measures than the Kakitiya kings. The Gond Kings created the Golusukattu stream to enable ryots get over their irrigation problems. Now the historic Gond Fort has reached dilapidated stage. Gond tribals want the government to look into the status of the fort, which symbolised the kings’ affinity for history and ar, and also the armory and canons stored there.

Fort should be converted into a museum, say king’s descendent Tank built by Utnoor King Hanmanth Rao for his queens to bathe still intact. The tribal kings had taken up many welfare measures

The fort should be converted into a museum, demands the king’s descendent Sudhakar. He told the Hans India that the government has failed to save the structure from collapsing, while stressing that the fort was in no way inferior to that built by the Kakatiya kings. GIrijan leader Atram Bhujanga Rao while pointing out to THI that the tribal kings had taken up many welfare measures stressed the need for the government to include these steps in the school curriculum.

c. 1800 AD : Linga Hanmanth Rao son of Israi Jangu Bapu

King Hanmanth Rao who ruled Utnoor as the capital was a feudatory to the Ballarsha King. He got Ballarsha separated and announced independence and built the Gond Fort spread over 15 acres. Rao tried to usurp parts of Gondwana Kingdom and in the process occupied Narmool, Kawwal, Sirpur and extended his domination up to Chandrapur.

He defeated the Nirmal Kings in a war and collected tax from them. Even while expanding his kingdom, the Utnoor King built forts, mainly providing for armoury and stores to keep grains and money, besides building a tank for his queens to bathe, including special rooms for change of clothing. This tank, which is still intact, also supplied drinking water to the Old Utnoor area. He also mobilised a large army.

When drought struck the kingdom, Rao provided free supply of jowar to farmers and got 14 tanks dug. Of them, the Yellamma Cheruvu and Saraswathi Cheruvu still have water. These water bodies paved the way for the kingdom to overcome dry spell and brought credit to him as a good ruler, as documented in history. He was not only known for building forts, but also the Siva temple in Old Utnoor, which has Gondwana inscriptions, that resemble the elephant and lion figures seen in Maharashtra, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Girijarani daughter of Hanmanth Rao
Rao had two heirs Girijarani and Jagpat Rao. As he became old, the King got Girijarani crowned. She became the first Gond queen in history. She fought wars with the Nirmal kings, as historic evidence shows, Sudhakar told THI. 

c. 1920 AD - 1951 : Jagpat Rao

Sitagondikar Lineage

Later, Jagpat Rao assumed power. He agreed to buy peace with the Nizam by agreeing to pay tax, following which the ruler gave him the title of Shah. Rao used to collect tax in the Nirmal area and send the amounts to the Nizam. 

Rajadev Shah

After several years Rajadev Shah occupied the throne and went on to become MLA of Utnoor twice after independence. He distributed three acres each to poor farmers and gave his ancestral property to girijans. The present ITDA office land was given free of cost by him.

Renovation

13 Jan 2017 : Tourism department has selected the historical fort as a tourism spot and is mulling steps for its development.

Sources
http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Commoner/2016-08-31/Gond-Fort-cries-for-attention/251456
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/utnoor-fort-sighs-loud-and-clear/article4612852.ece

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