π° Sirpur Fort – The Original Gond Capital
Suryapuram | Seat of the Sirpur–Chanda Gond Dynasty (c. 870 AD – 1751 AD)
Early History – Pre-Gond Period: Before the rise of the Gonds, Sirpur (then known as Suryapuram) was a strategic settlement under the Manas or Nagvansi (snake-worshipper) kings of Wairagarh. In 1199 AD, Kakatiya king Ganapatideva granted land to a Brahmin named Manchibhattopadhyaya to establish Sirpur taluk in present-day Adilabad district (through Chennur Allumprola Raja). This brought Sirpur into the Kakatiya administrative fold, but the region remained largely under local chiefs.
The Gond chapter began around 870 AD when Bhim Ballal Singh organized the Gonds, overthrew the Mana dynasty, and built Sirpur Fort as his capital, with Manikgarh Fort as the main stronghold. This marked the birth of the Sirpur–Chanda Gond Kingdom, which ruled for over eight generations before shifting the capital to Ballarsha and finally to Chanda (Chandrapur). The fort witnessed the 1310 AD invasion by Malik Kafur, Maratha expansion under the Bhonsles, and later the Nizam’s administration.
Note: The famous Bhadravati Buddhist site visited by Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) is located in Sirpur, Chhattisgarh, not this Sirpur in Telangana.
π️ Kakatiya Period – Administrative Integration (1199 AD)
In 1199 AD, the great Kakatiya king Ganapatideva granted land to a Brahmin named Manchibhattopadhyaya to establish Sirpur taluk in present-day Adilabad district (through Chennur Allumprola Raja). This move integrated Sirpur into the Kakatiya revenue system, but the region remained largely under local chiefs. The Kakatiya influence brought Telugu administrative practices and temple-building traditions, which later blended with Gond culture.
π Bhim Ballal Singh – Founder of the Sirpur–Chanda Gond Kingdom (c. 870 AD)
According to Gond traditions and the Ballal Singh Vanshavali, Bhim Ballal Singh united the Gond clans, defeated the Mana (Nagvansi) rulers, and established his capital at Sirpur. He built the Sirpur Fort on the right bank of the Wardha River and fortified Manikgarh as his main stronghold. The Gond royal emblem featured a lion and an elephant; their family names included Singh and Shah. They followed Brahmanical Hinduism alongside the cult of Persa Pen (clan deities) and ancestor worship.
π£️ Gondi Language (Koyator): Four main variants – Southern Gondi, Adilabad Gondi, Northern Gondi, and Aheri Gondi – reflect the spread of the Gond people across central India. Sirpur was the cradle of the Adilabad Gondi dialect.
⚔️ Malik Kafur’s Invasion (1310 AD) – Jauhar and Surrender
During Alauddin Khilji’s southern campaign, his general Malik Kafur besieged Sabar (identified with modern Sirpur) in 1310 AD. According to historian Kishori Saran Lal, the attack was sudden; the defenders, unable to withstand the assault, committed jauhar (mass self-immolation) to avoid capture. Ananir (Ananur), brother of the fort commander, surrendered and was appointed governor by Malik Kafur. The fort survived but came under Delhi Sultanate’s nominal control for a few decades.
π The Sirpur–Chanda Gond Dynasty (c. 870 AD – 1751 AD)
The founder Kol Bhill (also Kol Bheel or Kolkhil) established the lineage. The early rulers based at Sirpur gradually expanded their territory before the capital was moved south. Below are the known Sirpur-based Gond kings:
| Ruler | Approx. Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bhim Ballal Singh | c. 870 AD | Founder, built Sirpur Fort and Manikgarh |
| Kharja Bhallal Singh | late 9th c. | Son of Bhim Ballal Singh |
| Hira (Heera) Singh | 10th c. | Consolidated Gond rule |
| Andia Bhallal Singh | 10th-11th c. | Expanded towards Wardha river |
| Talwar Singh | 11th c. | Known for military campaigns |
| Kesar Singh | 11th-12th c. | Strengthened fortifications |
| Dinkar (Dinakar) Singh | 12th c. | Patron of Gondi literature |
| Ram Singh | late 12th c. | Last pre-Kakatiya Gond ruler |
| Surja Ballal Singh alias Ser Shah | 1405–1437 AD | Continued consolidation |
| Khandkia Ballal Shah | 1472–1497 AD | Shifted capital from Sirpur to Ballarsha, then to Chanda |
After Khandkia Ballal Shah moved the capital, the Sirpur fort remained under local Gond sardars (Atram, Bhusare, and related clans) who acted as vassals to the Chanda kings. The Chanda (Chandrapur) rulers continued the dynasty:
Chanda Rulers (1497–1751 AD)
- 1497–1522 AD: Heer Shah
- 1522–1542 AD: Bhuma and Lokba
- 1542–1572 AD: Kam Shah
- 1572–1597 AD: Babaji Ballal Shah
- 1597–1622 AD: Dhundia Ram Shah
Later Chanda Rulers
- 1622–1640 AD: Krishna Shah
- 1640–1691 AD: Bir Shah
- 1691–1735 AD: Ram Shah
- 1735–1751 AD: Neelkanth Shah
Govind Rao (1611 AD): Granted sardeshmukh and jagir rights in Sirpur by Emperor Jahangir.
⚙️ Maratha Rule and the Bhonsle Annexation (1751–1803)
Raghoji I Bhonsle (1751–1755) annexed the Gond territories of Chanda and Sirpur. The Bhonsles maintained control through local Gond jagirdars. In 1773 AD, Mudhoji Bhonsle ceded Manikgarh to the Nizam. After the Treaty of Deogaon (1803), Berar was ceded to the British, who then handed Sirpur and adjoining regions to the Nizam of Hyderabad. A Gond chief named Jukut Rao held Sirpur as a jagir during this transitional period.
π₯ Ramji Gond (1857–1860): Led a local resistance against the Nizam’s oppressive revenue policies. His uprising is remembered in Gond folk songs. In 1864 AD, Salarjung I introduced the ryotwari system; Gond rajas lost most jagirs, except the Raja of Sirpur (jagirdari) and the Raja of Utnur (maqta).
π The Atram Rajas of Sirpur (1860–1948)
The Nizam recognized a line of Gond rulers under the title Raja of Sirpur, belonging to the Atram clan. They held jagir rights and collected revenue, while maintaining the fort and local traditions.
π Atram Dynasty Rulers (Sirpur)
- Yadav Shah I 1860 – c. 1875 CE – Recognized by Nizam
- Ram Shah c. 1875 – 1905 CE – Formation of Adilabad district
- Deo Shah 1905–1906 CE (uncle of Ram Shah)
- Govind Shah 1906 CE (brother of Ram Shah)
- Dinker Shah 1906–1918 CE (son of Govind Shah); HQ shifted to Asifabad (1913–14)
- Yadav Shah II 1918–1948 CE – Last ruler under Nizam’s Hyderabad State; HQ shifted back to Adilabad (1940–41)
π Kanchanpalli Branch (Atram Clan)
- Raja Atram Jangu Bapu Founder of Kanchanpalli lineage (Sirpur-Utnur mandal)
- Narsing Rao Recognized Deshmukh of Mamidpalli
- Atram Bheem Rao (1942–1948) Assisted ethnographer Haimendorf; managed Sirpur administration
π Ethnographic Legacy – Christoph von FΓΌrer-Haimendorf (1942)
In 1942, the renowned Austrian ethnographer Christoph von FΓΌrer-Haimendorf conducted field studies at Kanchanpalli (near Sirpur) with the assistance of Atram Bheem Rao Senior. His research, documented in The Raj Gonds of Adilabad, greatly improved the understanding and welfare of Raj Gonds and other Adivasi tribes. Today, a descendant, Atram Bheem Rao (junior), maintains a hill shrine atop a 250-metre hill near Kanchanpalli in honour of Haimendorf’s contribution.
π️ Hill Shrine: The shrine overlooks the Kanchanpalli estate and serves as a place of remembrance for the ethnographic collaboration that put Sirpur on the global anthropological map.
π Legacy and Importance of Sirpur Fort
Sirpur marks the earliest Gond political centre in the Deccan. It served as a bridge between Telangana and Central India in culture, governance, and tribal identity. The Atram Rajas preserved traditional Gond customs even under changing regimes – from Kakatiya to Maratha to Nizam. The fort, though now in ruins, remains a symbol of Gond pride and endurance. Local communities and historians demand its protection and development as a heritage site.
π Sirpur Fort – Structural & Heritage Data
π️ Fort Overview
- Location: Right bank of Wardha River, Sirpur Tandur, Komaram Bheem district, Telangana
- Built by: King Bhim Ballal Singh (c. 870 AD)
- Original Capital of: Sirpur–Chanda Gond dynasty (until c. 1497 AD)
- Associated Stronghold: Manikgarh Fort
- Current Condition: Ruined, needs conservation; local demand for museum
π Historical Periods
- Pre-Gond: Mana (Nagvansi) dynasty of Wairagarh
- Kakatiya: 1199 AD land grant by Ganapatideva
- Gond: c. 870 AD – 1751 AD (Sirpur–Chanda line)
- Maratha: 1751–1803 (Bhonsle annexation)
- Nizam: 1803–1948 (Sirpur jagir)
π Preservation & Access
- Current Protector: Local community & Atram descendants; no formal ASI listing yet
- Nearby Sites: Kanchanpalli hill shrine, Manikgarh, Ballarsha ruins
- Visitor Access: Open all days; best visited Oct–Mar; approach via Asifabad or Adilabad
π Chronology of Sirpur Fort & Gond Rule
π§ Visitor Information & How to Reach
π By Road
Sirpur Tandur is well connected by road from Adilabad (approx. 90 km) and Asifabad (approx. 35 km). Regular buses and taxis operate from major towns. From Hyderabad, take NH44 to Adilabad, then State Highway to Sirpur (total ~280 km).
π Rail
Nearest railway stations: Adilabad (90 km) and Mancherial (110 km). From there, hire a taxi or take a bus to Sirpur Tandur.
✈️ Air
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (approx. 290 km) is the nearest major airport.
π️ Nearby Attractions
- Kanchanpalli Hill Shrine – Memorial to Haimendorf, overlooking the Wardha river.
- Manikgarh Fort – The original stronghold of Bhim Ballal Singh, located near Sirpur.
- Ballarsha – Interim Gond capital with palace ruins.
- Chandrapur (Chanda) – Later Gond capital with imposing fort and temples.
- Kawal Tiger Reserve – Rich biodiversity, about 70 km away.
⏰ Best time to visit
October to March (cool and pleasant). The fort area is open all day, no entry fee.
π Primary References
- Kishori Saran Lal, History of the Khaljis (1950) – account of Malik Kafur’s invasion.
- Christoph von FΓΌrer-Haimendorf, The Raj Gonds of Adilabad (1945).
- District Gazetteer, Adilabad (Government of Telangana).
- Gond oral traditions and Ballal Singh Vanshavali (manuscript).
- The Hans India (2016) – “Gond Fort cries for attention”.
- Telangana Tourism Department – Heritage sites of Komaram Bheem district.
- Note: The famous Buddhist site visited by Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) is located in Sirpur, Chhattisgarh, not this Sirpur in Telangana.