C R Gowri Shanker
Famed Elagandal Fort, originally
Veligandula Fort, in Karimnagar, which was partly restored is now reeling under
wild grass and weeds thanks to poor maintenance.
Popularly known as “Elagandal Khilla,” the historic
fort is located 10 kms from Karimnagar town and 170 kms from Hyderabad.
An INTAC team, which visited the place for sound and
light show, were aghast at the decaying of the fort.
“There is absolutely no maintenance...its decaying.
Many parts of the fort are full of tall grass and good hide out for snakes.
There are 10 wells inside the fort which are unapproachable due to heavy
vegetation. Telangana Government should immediately restore the place,”
Anuradha Reddy, Co Convenor, INTACH Telangana Governor Council said.
Experts of the Telangana Department of Archaeology and
Museums have taken up the preservation of this hill fort, with the funds
sanctioned by the 13th Finance Commission, on an area of 50-60 acres by
carefully excavating and restoring this fort which was a military bastion in
earlier times. A damaged arch and other works were taken up.
On January 25, Tourism Minister A Chandulal inaugurated
Rs 3.12 crore sound and light show for which a 40-minute show script was written
by historian Jaishetty Ramanaiah highlighting the importance of the fort.
While the portion of function area was cleaned up,
the rest of the fort area remained untouched.
“We took up restoration of arch and other works. But
such a large fort needs regular maintenance. But shortage of funds is root
cause for the problem,” an official said.
Originally called Veligandula Fort on the banks of
Manair River, the fort was built during the reign of Kakatiya Dynasty
(1083-1323 AD) and ruled by Musunuri Nayaks, Recharla Padmanayaks and others.
Qutb Shahis occupied the fort in 16th century followed by Mughals
and Nizams.
Kakatiya king Rudrama who ruled the
Fort in 1195 A.D was killed by Yadava king Jatangi who captured the Fort. After
Yadavas, Kakatiya king Prataparudra, ruled from 1295 to 1323.
Mohammed Bin Tuglak attacked Kakatiyas in 1323 and captured the Fort and then Ktub-ul-Mulk attacked and defeated Bahmani kings and started his. Tanisha was the last king in Kutubsha dynasty. Tanisha was defeated by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who built Alamgir Mosque and Bindrakas pond here. The fort was under Mughal control for 39 years.
Mohammed Bin Tuglak attacked Kakatiyas in 1323 and captured the Fort and then Ktub-ul-Mulk attacked and defeated Bahmani kings and started his. Tanisha was the last king in Kutubsha dynasty. Tanisha was defeated by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who built Alamgir Mosque and Bindrakas pond here. The fort was under Mughal control for 39 years.
Nizam-Ul-Mulk Asif Jah-I later took
over. The Jagirdars appointed by Nizams who ruled the region of Elagandula,
neglected the governance. During the rule of Sikhander Jah, (1803-23) Bahadur
Khan and Karimuddin served as Khiladars. Karimnagar got its name from
Karimuddin.
While reorganising the districts, Mir Mahaboob Ali
Khan, the sixth Nizam shifted the district headquarters from Elagandal to
Karimnagar in 1905 AD.
Elagandal Fort has eight gateways at the entrance
with two fortification walls, within fort,
Masjid, Chandrakant and two other wells, Anajaneya temple, several small
wells, ammunition hall, jail, Rani Mahal, horse stable, Neelakanteswara Swamy temple among others.
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