Khammam Fort is a fort in the city of Khammam, Telangana, India constructed by Lakshma Reddy, Ranga Reddy and Velama Reddy. It served as an impregnable citadel during various regimes of different dynasties, including the Musunuri Nayaks, Qutb Shahi’s and Asaf Jahis. The fort was situated in a very vast area in the heart of the City of Khammam. It was notified as a protected monument by the Archaeology Department several decades ago. Despite decades of neglect, the historical edifice, which once flourished with regal opulence, presents its alluring charm due to its architectural splendor.
The historical records show that the earlier name was "Kambham mettu" or "Stambhadri".[1] "Mettu" means hill or highland in the Telugu language. The name was also anglicised as "Commomet" and "Khammammet".[citation needed]
Constructionedit
The Khammam Fort was built by Musunuri Nayaks. Several inscriptions were discovered in the surrounding areas of Khammam and Krishna districts of Musunuri Nayaks. Khammam slowly became an independent territory within the kingdom of Kakatiyas for Musunuri Nayaks. 75 Telugu speaking feudatories of the region under the leadership of Musunuri Nayaks fought for 10 long years to unify the Telugu land and succeeded in repulsing the Delhi Sultanate forces under Malik Maqbul (Khan-e-Jahan Tilangani) out of their country.
Architecture & Significant Featuresedit
This Fort is located in an area of 4 Sq. miles in the heart of the City of Khammam on top of a massive granite Hill. It is surrounded by a huge rock wall averaging between 40 and 80 feet(13 to 25 Meters) in height and 15 to 20 feet(4.5 to 6 Meters) in width. There are steps from each buruju (bastion) to enter into the fort. The Fort was considered practically impregnable by invading armies.
A number of balconies and windows are constructed along the wall in order to use the artillery during wartime. It has a capacity of mounting at least 60 cannons at a time.
The fort 10 large gates most of them in poor shape now. Each gate has cannons mounted on them along with a water pot made of rocks. They are built such that an impact of a cannonball could not break it.
The main entrance is a 30-foot tall entrance known as the Khilla darwaza (meaning fort gate in Urdu). It has 2 cannons on either side of the entrance. One of them still mounted with a head. They are now partially destroyed due to the negligence of the archeology department.
The east gate or the secondary entrance is equally large and is popularly known as the Raathi Darwaza (meaning stone entrance in Urdu) or Potha Darwaza.
All other gates are smaller than the main entrance and could have been constructed to avoid large cavalries to enter the fort in case of an attack.
A huge rainwater catchment system and well have been constructed on the Khilla during the period of Zafar-ud-doula, well known for construction of tanks during Qutb shahi dynasty. This massive tank is now known as the 'Zafar well'. It is 60 feet X 30 feet stepped well with a bridge across it for men and horses to move around. He also built the walls using Bricks and limestone along the fort.
As soon as we enter the Khilla darwaza, one can see the Fort at a distance of 300 feet. There are small steps carved out of this hill to reach the top of the Hill fort. They are later renovated with railings for the steps by the Tourism department and Archaeological Survey of India in 2005 during the 1000 year celebrations of this historical fort. A lot of small gates known as 'Dalohiswar' are all around the walls of the fort.
Fort has at least 15 bastions constructed with two massive walls as a military strategy to take the impact of the cannonballs and to counter the enemy from the top. A 15-foot deep trench is dug in some places for the army to store and use as a hiding place.
The huge blocks of stone used for the walls are as long as 10 feet and are believed to be transported using elephants and men. No mud or limestone is used in this huge wall and the rocks are tightly placed and leaving the viewers amazed by the construction
A permanent Gallows has been erected on this prominent hill fort, where the estimated seat of justice could have been inside the fort. The platform is made of Stone and appears like a well, due to which the locals call this 'Nethi bhavi' ('నేతి బావి 'meaning Ghee well). This stone structure could be seen from allover the city of khammam.Stone Gallows, locally believed to be a Ghee well on top of the fort
The fort is believed to have a secret tunnels to the Warangal Fort with multiple entrances in different locations at the fort. One such entrance is 10 feet in diameter and the steps to enter the tunnel are closed due to damage over the years. The local folklore includes stories about valuables being transferred between the kings from here using the secret passages and escaping enemy attacks through them.[2]
Cultureedit
This fort appears to be a replicate the cultures of both Hindu and Muslim rulers who ruled this fort city.
The Lakshmi Narasimha swami temple in Brahmin bazar, Sri Ramalingeshwara temple is one of the oldest shivalayam (Shiva temple) are some of the oldest Hindu temples in Telangana and are older than the fort itself.
During the Qutb shahi dynasty, many new places of worship have been constructed in and around the fort such as the Khilla masjid.
Encroachmentsedit
The fort, once mighty bastion of royal dynasties, continues to face further encroachment threat due to lack of proper monitoring mechanism. Large settlements occupied the areas in and around the fort due to the lack of proper monitoring of encroachments. Destruction of the granite hill and construction of houses continues till today around the fort area.
Ruins of the Cannons inside the fort
Developmentedit
Recently Minister for Roads & Buildings Tummala Nageswara Rao has mooted the proposal to set up solar streetlights at the fort well before the next Independence Day celebrations in 2017.[3]
Khammam City View from the top of the FortKhammam Khilla as seen from the CityNight View of Khammam Fort during Stambhadri FestivalRenovated Steps to reach the Hill FortBastions inside the Fort for the Army to Counter Enemy Attack
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Khammam Fort.
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Khammam Fort news newspapers books scholar JSTOR November 2013 Learn how and when to remove this template message Khammam Fort is a fort in the city of Khammam Telangana India constructed by Lakshma Reddy Ranga Reddy and Velama Reddy It served as an impregnable citadel during various regimes of different dynasties including the Musunuri Nayaks Qutb Shahi s and Asaf Jahis The fort was situated in a very vast area in the heart of the City of Khammam It was notified as a protected monument by the Archaeology Department several decades ago Despite decades of neglect the historical edifice which once flourished with regal opulence presents its alluring charm due to its architectural splendor Khammam FortPart of Stambhadri HillsKhammam Telangana IndiaKhammam FortLocation in TelanganaCoordinates17 14 43 N 80 08 48 E 17 24528 N 80 14667 E 17 24528 80 14667TypeHill FortHeight867 metres 2 844 ft Site informationOwnerGovernment of IndiaControlled byMusunuri Nayaks 1210 A D 1369 A D Gurijala Nayaks 1369 A D 1433 A D Independent rulers 1512 A D 1515 A DSri Krishnadevaraya of Tuluva Dynasty 1515 A D for a brief periodQutb Shahi dynasty 1518 A D 1687 A DMughal Empire 1687 A D 1707 A DAsaf Jahi Dynasty 1707 A D 1948 A D India 1948 Till date Open tothe publicYesConditionDeclared Protected Monument by Archaeological Survey of India in 2005 Mostly Destroyed Site historyBuilt byMusunuri NayaksIn useTourismMaterialsStone Limestone mortarBattles warsMusunuri Nayaks Gurijala Nayaks Qutub Shahis Aurangazeb Sri Krishnadevaraya and Local RulersEventsStambhadri Sambaralu 1000 Year Celebrations of Khammam KhillaGarrison informationOccupantsMusunuri Nayaks 1210 A D 1369 A D Gurijala Nayaks 1369 A D 1433 A D Krishna Deva Raya of Tuluva Dynasty Shitab Khan 1515 A D 1518 A DQutb Shahi dynasty 1518 A D 1687 A DAurangazeb of the Mughal Empire 1687 A D 1707 A D Asaf Jahi Dynasty 1707 1948 A D Contents 1 Etymology 2 Construction 3 Architecture amp Significant Features 4 Culture 5 Encroachments 6 Development 7 See also 8 ReferencesEtymology editThe historical records show that the earlier name was Kambham mettu or Stambhadri 1 Mettu means hill or highland in the Telugu language The name was also anglicised as Commomet and Khammammet citation needed Construction editThe Khammam Fort was built by Musunuri Nayaks Several inscriptions were discovered in the surrounding areas of Khammam and Krishna districts of Musunuri Nayaks Khammam slowly became an independent territory within the kingdom of Kakatiyas for Musunuri Nayaks 75 Telugu speaking feudatories of the region under the leadership of Musunuri Nayaks fought for 10 long years to unify the Telugu land and succeeded in repulsing the Delhi Sultanate forces under Malik Maqbul Khan e Jahan Tilangani out of their country Architecture amp Significant Features editThis Fort is located in an area of 4 Sq miles in the heart of the City of Khammam on top of a massive granite Hill It is surrounded by a huge rock wall averaging between 40 and 80 feet 13 to 25 Meters in height and 15 to 20 feet 4 5 to 6 Meters in width There are steps from each buruju bastion to enter into the fort The Fort was considered practically impregnable by invading armies A number of balconies and windows are constructed along the wall in order to use the artillery during wartime It has a capacity of mounting at least 60 cannons at a time The fort 10 large gates most of them in poor shape now Each gate has cannons mounted on them along with a water pot made of rocks They are built such that an impact of a cannonball could not break it The main entrance is a 30 foot tall entrance known as the Khilla darwaza meaning fort gate in Urdu It has 2 cannons on either side of the entrance One of them still mounted with a head They are now partially destroyed due to the negligence of the archeology department The east gate or the secondary entrance is equally large and is popularly known as the Raathi Darwaza meaning stone entrance in Urdu or Potha Darwaza All other gates are smaller than the main entrance and could have been constructed to avoid large cavalries to enter the fort in case of an attack A huge rainwater catchment system and well have been constructed on the Khilla during the period of Zafar ud doula well known for construction of tanks during Qutb shahi dynasty This massive tank is now known as the Zafar well It is 60 feet X 30 feet stepped well with a bridge across it for men and horses to move around He also built the walls using Bricks and limestone along the fort As soon as we enter the Khilla darwaza one can see the Fort at a distance of 300 feet There are small steps carved out of this hill to reach the top of the Hill fort They are later renovated with railings for the steps by the Tourism department and Archaeological Survey of India in 2005 during the 1000 year celebrations of this historical fort A lot of small gates known as Dalohiswar are all around the walls of the fort Fort has at least 15 bastions constructed with two massive walls as a military strategy to take the impact of the cannonballs and to counter the enemy from the top A 15 foot deep trench is dug in some places for the army to store and use as a hiding place The huge blocks of stone used for the walls are as long as 10 feet and are believed to be transported using elephants and men No mud or limestone is used in this huge wall and the rocks are tightly placed and leaving the viewers amazed by the construction A permanent Gallows has been erected on this prominent hill fort where the estimated seat of justice could have been inside the fort The platform is made of Stone and appears like a well due to which the locals call this Nethi bhavi న త బ వ meaning Ghee well This stone structure could be seen from allover the city of khammam nbsp Stone Gallows locally believed to be a Ghee well on top of the fort The fort is believed to have a secret tunnels to the Warangal Fort with multiple entrances in different locations at the fort One such entrance is 10 feet in diameter and the steps to enter the tunnel are closed due to damage over the years The local folklore includes stories about valuables being transferred between the kings from here using the secret passages and escaping enemy attacks through them 2 Culture editThis fort appears to be a replicate the cultures of both Hindu and Muslim rulers who ruled this fort city The Lakshmi Narasimha swami temple in Brahmin bazar Sri Ramalingeshwara temple is one of the oldest shivalayam Shiva temple are some of the oldest Hindu temples in Telangana and are older than the fort itself During the Qutb shahi dynasty many new places of worship have been constructed in and around the fort such as the Khilla masjid Encroachments editThe fort once mighty bastion of royal dynasties continues to face further encroachment threat due to lack of proper monitoring mechanism Large settlements occupied the areas in and around the fort due to the lack of proper monitoring of encroachments Destruction of the granite hill and construction of houses continues till today around the fort area nbsp Ruins of the Cannons inside the fortDevelopment editRecently Minister for Roads amp Buildings Tummala Nageswara Rao has mooted the proposal to set up solar streetlights at the fort well before the next Independence Day celebrations in 2017 3 nbsp Khammam City View from the top of the Fort nbsp Khammam Khilla as seen from the City nbsp Night View of Khammam Fort during Stambhadri Festival nbsp Renovated Steps to reach the Hill Fort nbsp Bastions inside the Fort for the Army to Counter Enemy Attack nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Khammam Fort See also editMusunuri NayaksReferences edit Khammam Telangana State Potal retrieved 15 April 2019 Khammam Fort Heritage in peril 29 January 2015 Retrieved 9 July 2016 Historic Khammam fort set to get back its sheen The Hindu 30 January 2015 ISSN 0971 751X Retrieved 9 July 2016 http www namasthetelangaana com TelanganaNews in Telugu khammam fort khammam telangana tourism 1 15 354124 htmlhttp www thehindu com news national telangana khammam fort heritage in peril article6835132 ecehttp www thehindu com news national telangana historic khammam fort set to get back its sheen article6837735 ece Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Khammam Fort amp oldid 1174887719, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
