Telangana360

Pangal Fort, located at Pangal in Wanaparthy District of Telangana, is one of the great hill forts of southern India. This area was historically part of Kuruva-70 Nayakara Seema.. Built during the 11th–12th centuries CE by the Kalyani Chalukyas, the fort sprawls across hundreds of acres of rugged granite hills and thorny forest terrain. Designed with seven massive gateways, its most prominent entrance, the Mundlagavini, stands out as an architectural marvel built with huge granite slabs. Within the fort ruins, one still finds remnants of mandapas (such as the Uyyala Mandapam), rock-cut water bodies, tanks, and cisterns, all of which showcase the engineering and architectural sophistication of its builders. The terrain itself added to the fort’s strength, making it almost impregnable to invading armies in the medieval period. Pangal Fort – A Visitor’s Journey Visiting Pangal Fort is like stepping into a forgotten chapter of Telangana’s history. Hidden away in the rocky hills of Wanapart...

Bodhan Fort located in the town of Bodhan in Nizamabad district, Telangana.The Bodhan Fort refers to the historical fortifications and associated archaeological site located in the town of Bodhan in the Nizamabad district of Telangana, India. Ancient Capital: Bodhan, originally known as Podana or Podanapura, boasts a rich history, having been the capital of the ancient Asmaka Mahajanapada and a regional capital under dynasties like the Rashtrakutas and Vemulavada Chalukyas. Fortification: The "fort" is more accurately described today as ruins or an ancient fort wall, largely built of mud, that once protected the historically significant city. It was a site of major conflict, notably besieged and destroyed by forces of the Delhi Sultanate in the 14th century. Key Site: The fort area is particularly noted for the presence of the Deval Masjid (also known as the 100-Pillared Temple or Indranarayana Swamy Temple), a structure that was originally a Hindu-Jain temple before its con...

Kaleshwaram Fort is located in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district of modern Telangana. The Fortified Sacred Sanctuary, Unlike standalone forts like Golconda, the defensive structures at Kaleshwaram were built to protect the highly strategic and sacred Triveni Sangam (confluence of three rivers) and the ancient Kaleshwaram Temple. The "fort" refers to a series of fortifications, watchtowers, and structures built on the hills surrounding the temple complex. Significance: Kaleshwaram is far more than just a fort; it is a historically and spiritually significant site. The fortifications were built to protect the ancient Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, situated at the sacred Triveni Sangam (confluence) of the Godavari and other rivers. Historical Context: The strategic fortifications seen today were primarily built by the Kakatiya dynasty(12th-14th century) to control this vital river crossing and pilgrimage center. It served as a key military outpost for various subsequent dy...

The term "Vemulawada Fort" primarily refers to the defensive walls and structures that protected the sacred Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple complex and the ancient town, which was the capital of the Vemulawada Chalukyas.  The Fortified Temple Town.  Nestled in the Rajanna Sircilla district of Telangana, Vemulawada is renowned far more as a major pilgrimage center than a military fortress. Its historical core is the Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple, a highly significant Shiva temple. Served as the capital of the Vemulawada Chalukyas (8th-10th centuries CE). It was a flourishing capital under kings like Arikesari II, who was a great patron of literature; the famous poet Pampa wrote his epic in this court. While the physical fortifications are secondary to the active temple, Vemulawada's true importance lies in its legacy as a powerful ancient political and cultural hub, whose spiritual significance has endured for over a thousand years. Historical Significance and Timeline P...

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

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 y...

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...

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 al...

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 terra...

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 Lakshm...

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 archa...

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 con...

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 Kakatiya...