It is not just the huge rocks or the stunning boulders strewn across the stark landscape that beckon one to this land that forms a picturesque background for a stone fort, but also the legends and heroics attached to the monument. Visit the Chitradurga Fort only if you are prepared for some rigorous physical exercise or if you have some interest in the historical heritage of this remote, rocky land. It is not possible to cover the fort in a single day, as one needs ample time to go around the citadel and hear the fabulous stories associated with each and every structure.
Without a knowledgeable guide, it is impossible to know the history of this place which is famous for the heroic deeds of Onake Obavva, the wife of a soldier guarding the fort. It is said that she filled in for her husband and guarded the fort when he was having his lunch, and killed the invading soldiers of Hyder Ali while on duty. If one wants to know more about India’s feudal past, this is the best place to begin your lesson, as a series of dynasties, from Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas to Nayakas have ruled this place.
The place is unbelievably hot in summers, so it is better to visit this rambling massive complex during winter. A heritage spot maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, one has to go round and round and walk many a mile to see the secret chambers and passageways, tunnels, towers, the gun powder factory, oil pits, musketeer’s holes, and of course, the ruins of a palace.
When I visited this fort, I got to meet Kothi Raju who is famous for climbing the fort walls and with such ease that one is amazed at his prowess and ability to scale such steep ramparts and craggy hills. Almost 3,200 feet at the highest level, the imposing fort is situated on a chain of picturesque hills and occupies an area of 32 square kilometres.
It is one of the greatest forts of India in terms of the measures taken by the erstwhile rulers to fortify it. It has a series of defenses and diversions to thwart enemies. There are seven walls and seven doors to cross before you reach the interiors of the fort, which shows how much work has gone into securing the structure. It also gives an insight into the engineering skills of the people of those days. There are many temples, almost 20, in both the upper and lower parts of the temple. Interestingly, the citadel had a series of tanks to harvest rain water and it is said that none of the dynasties ever suffered any water shortage.
The fort and its historicity is so impressive and stunning that it has formed an essential part or backdrop for many Kannada movies like Hamsageethe, Nagarahavu and Veera Madhakari Nayaka and also inspired a few litterateurs like Tarasu to pen his literary work Durgaastamana based on its tales.
