Devarakonda Fort is located in Devarakonda town in the Nalgonda district of Telangana, India. Devarakonda, serving as a Mandal headquarters, is a small village that is home to one of the most astonishing forts in the region. Once a towering symbol of the village’s glory, the fort now lies in ruins due to neglect, yet it continues to attract tourists from across the world.
Historically, Devarakonda Fort served as a prominent defensive structure for the Recherla Nayaks dynasty, who ruled parts of Telangana after the fall of the Kakatiya dynasty. For history enthusiasts, a visit to Devarakonda Fort is like stepping into a living historical narrative, where every corner of the fort tells tales of bravery, struggles, and the triumphs of its rulers.
Inside the fort premises stand the Rama and Shiva temples, constructed by Maada Naidu, adding a sense of spirituality and serenity to the historic site. Visitors are also treated to the picturesque view of a small pond within the fort area.
Large fortified walls with curved bastions
Ramparts designed for artillery and cannon defense
Multi-storeyed complexes, including granaries, magazine houses, living quarters, and smaller houses
Temples of Lord Rama and Lord Shiva within the fort
A small lake that historically provided water to the residents
Tourists can explore the fort, enjoy its scenic surroundings, and purchase small antiques and local farm produce from the nearby village.
Kandur Chodas (1076 CE - 1224 CE)
Declared independence in 1503 CE
Krishna-deva Raya conquered this region as part of his campaigns after capturing Kondaveedu around 1515 AD, extending Vijayanagara control up to the Krishna and Godavari rivers.
Historical accounts, including the Telugu epic Krishnadevaraya Vijayam, describe a fierce battle where Shitab Khan was eventually defeated by Krishnadevaraya's forces.
1551 CE : Sayyid Shah Mir Isfahani, son of Sayyad Ahmad Tababai 15th September, 1551 A.D: His Honour (lit. His Refuge), the wielder of authority, Sayyid Shah Mir Isfahani, son of Sayyad Ahmad Tababai (may he be blessed !) rebuilt the embankment of the Pangal tank, which had fallen out of repair through age, and spent money (on this work) from recompense in the next life.
Recherla Nayaks probably ruling as Jagirdars
Historically, Devarakonda Fort served as a prominent defensive structure for the Recherla Nayaks dynasty, who ruled parts of Telangana after the fall of the Kakatiya dynasty. For history enthusiasts, a visit to Devarakonda Fort is like stepping into a living historical narrative, where every corner of the fort tells tales of bravery, struggles, and the triumphs of its rulers.
Inside the fort premises stand the Rama and Shiva temples, constructed by Maada Naidu, adding a sense of spirituality and serenity to the historic site. Visitors are also treated to the picturesque view of a small pond within the fort area.
Architecture and Features
Devarakonda Fort is renowned for its architectural brilliance. Situated atop a hill and surrounded by seven hills, rocky terrain, and forests, the fort features:Large fortified walls with curved bastions
Ramparts designed for artillery and cannon defense
Multi-storeyed complexes, including granaries, magazine houses, living quarters, and smaller houses
Temples of Lord Rama and Lord Shiva within the fort
A small lake that historically provided water to the residents
Present-Day Significance and Tourism
Today, Devarakonda Fort lies in ruins but remains a popular tourist destination. It is located approximately 117 km from Hyderabad via the Nagarjuna Sagar road, with a diversion from Kondalpahad. The journey takes about 3 hours by road. From Nalgonda town, it is about an hour away, with frequent bus services every 20 minutes.Tourists can explore the fort, enjoy its scenic surroundings, and purchase small antiques and local farm produce from the nearby village.
Origins
Devarakonda is part of ancient geographical division called Kandurnadu which corresponds to the modern taluks of Miriyalaguda and Devarakonda in Nalgonda , Suryapeta in Suryapet district, and Jadcherla, Mahabubnagar in Mahabubnagar districtRulers
Kalyani Chalukyas (973 CE - 1151 CE)
Haihaya Chiefs (1035 CE - 1076 CE)
Ayyarasa of Haihaya family was ruling Kandurnadu under Somesvara I.The Kanduri Chodas (c. 1040 CE - c.1290 CE) were a significant Telugu-speaking dynasty. While founded in the mid-11th century, their period of rule over the expansive realm of Kandurunadu (1100 villages) lasted from 1076 CE to 1224 CE.
c. 1076 AD: Bhimachoda II receives Kandurunadu as a fief from Vikramaditya VI, expanding their territory.
1158 AD: Udayachoda II is defeated by Kakatiya Rudradeva and makes peace by giving his daughter in marriage.
From 1158 CE Ruled as Vassals of Kakatiay Dynasty.
1430s–1460s CE: The Gajapati forces, led by Kapileswara’s son Hamviradeva (Ambar Roy), intervened to protect the Recherlas, inflicting defeats on the Bahmani armies.
After 1462 CE, the Recherla Nayaks lost full independence and became tributaries of the Gajapatis of Orissa, as attested in the Shayampet inscription.
Kakatiya Dynasty (1151 CE - 1323 CE)
Kandur Chodas until 1224 CE
Gona Chiefs (1224 CE - 1289 CE)
Recherla Nayaks ruled under kakatiyas from 1289 CE
Tughlaq Dynasty (1323 CE - 1325 CE)
Musunuri Nayaks (1325 CE - 1368 CE)
Recheral Nayaks were ruling under Musunuri Nayaks from 1325 CE to 1368 CE
Recherla Nayaks (1289 CE / 1368 CE - 1475 CE)
Ruled Independently from 1368 CE to 1462 CE. Tributaries of Orissa Gajapathis from 1462 CE to 1475 CE.
1. Vedagiri (c. 1400-1410 CE)
The Founder of the Branch
Inscription: Devarakonda Inscription (Saka 1325 / 1403 CE).
Content: Records his appointment as ruler of Devarakonda by his father, Anapota Nayaka of Rachakonda. It establishes the subsidiary line.
2. Rao Dāma Nayaka (c. 1410-1430 CE)
Content: Records his appointment as ruler of Devarakonda by his father, Anapota Nayaka of Rachakonda. It establishes the subsidiary line.
2. Rao Dāma Nayaka (c. 1410-1430 CE)
Inscription: Devarakonda Fort Inscription (Saka 1333 / 1411 CE).
Content: Records the construction of a temple and grants to it. Provides his genealogy linking him to Vedagiri and the main Rachakonda line.
3. Peda Anapota Nayaka (c. 1430-1450 CE)
Content: Records the construction of a temple and grants to it. Provides his genealogy linking him to Vedagiri and the main Rachakonda line.
3. Peda Anapota Nayaka (c. 1430-1450 CE)
Inscription: Several inscriptions at Devarakonda (Saka 1352-1370 / 1430-1448 CE).
Content: These are numerous and record various land grants and donations. They highlight the peak of Devarakonda's prosperity and his long reign. He is a contemporary of Dāma II of Rachakonda.
4. Mada Nayaka (Dāmarasa) (c. 1450-1470 CE)
Content: These are numerous and record various land grants and donations. They highlight the peak of Devarakonda's prosperity and his long reign. He is a contemporary of Dāma II of Rachakonda.
4. Mada Nayaka (Dāmarasa) (c. 1450-1470 CE)
Inscription: Devarakonda Inscription (Saka 1372 / 1450 CE).
Content: Records his succession. Later inscriptions from his reign often mention the "Turushka" (Turkish/Muslim) invasions, referring to the Bahmani campaigns.
5. Vīra Anapota Nayaka (c. 1470-1475 CE)
Content: Records his succession. Later inscriptions from his reign often mention the "Turushka" (Turkish/Muslim) invasions, referring to the Bahmani campaigns.
5. Vīra Anapota Nayaka (c. 1470-1475 CE)
Inscription: Devarakonda Inscription (Saka 1395 / 1473 CE).
Content: One of the last known inscriptions of the independent dynasty. It is fragmentary and suggests the kingdom was in its final days before the Bahmani conquest.
Content: One of the last known inscriptions of the independent dynasty. It is fragmentary and suggests the kingdom was in its final days before the Bahmani conquest.
1435 CE: The Rachakonda area was assigned to Mohammed Khan, brother of the Sultan, signaling a formal Bahmani administrative presence.
1430s–1460s CE: The Gajapati forces, led by Kapileswara’s son Hamviradeva (Ambar Roy), intervened to protect the Recherlas, inflicting defeats on the Bahmani armies.
After 1462 CE, the Recherla Nayaks lost full independence and became tributaries of the Gajapatis of Orissa, as attested in the Shayampet inscription.
Bahmani Sultante (1475 CE - 1527 CE)
From 1480 CE - 1485 CE, Shitab Khan was the governor of RachakondaDeclared independence in 1503 CE
Shitab Khan (1503 CE - 1515 CE)
Telugu inscription in the Hanamkonda Thousand Pillar temple, bearing the date 1503. From the inscription we may infer that he was in possession of Hanamkonda and Warangal in 1503, and he was still in possession of the same tract in 1515 after Sultan Quli Qutb Shah’s war with the Sultan of Berar, at which period Khammame, Warangal, and Nalgonda were included in Shitab Khan's dominions.Krishna-deva Raya conquered this region as part of his campaigns after capturing Kondaveedu around 1515 AD, extending Vijayanagara control up to the Krishna and Godavari rivers.
Historical accounts, including the Telugu epic Krishnadevaraya Vijayam, describe a fierce battle where Shitab Khan was eventually defeated by Krishnadevaraya's forces.
Vijayanagara Empire (1515 CE - c.1551 CE)
Krishna-deva Raya appointed governors like Kondamarusayya to administer the newly conquered territories.1551 CE : Sayyid Shah Mir Isfahani, son of Sayyad Ahmad Tababai 15th September, 1551 A.D: His Honour (lit. His Refuge), the wielder of authority, Sayyid Shah Mir Isfahani, son of Sayyad Ahmad Tababai (may he be blessed !) rebuilt the embankment of the Pangal tank, which had fallen out of repair through age, and spent money (on this work) from recompense in the next life.
Qutb Shai Dynasty (c. 1551 CE - 1687 CE)
1576 CE : On the gateways a ruined mosque at Gazinagar, now a petty village of no importance in Devarakonda Taluk in the Nalgonda District. Both the epigraphs purport that the mosque, designated in one of them as Bait-i-Ibrahim Qutub Shahi (lit. house of Ibrahim Qutub Shah),was constructed in 1576-77. But in neither record the name of the builder of the mosque is quoted.Recherla Nayaks probably ruling as Jagirdars
Mughal Empire in Telangana (1687 CE - 1724 CE)
administered by Mughal-appointed governors (subahdars).Asaf Jahi Dynasty - Nizams (1724 CE - 1948 CE)
Sri Raja Bahadur Venkata Rao (1948 CE)
Resources
http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/partials/destinations/heritage-spots/nalgonda/devarakonda-fort.html
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