Warangal Fort

The Warangal Fort is in Warangal which is located in the state of Telangana. Its 148 Km away from Secunderabad.

 

The Warangal Fort is a protected monument and comes under the list of Monuments of National importance. The fort is in disrepair now but walking around the fort gives a sense of splendour and greatness of the Kakatiya rulers. Warangal also known as Oragallu was the capital of the Kakatiya Kingdom declined after the Muslim invasion during the rule of Pratapa Rudra.

The fort is spread between Hanamkonda and Warangal and is a visual treat to the eyes. The fort was built with a three layer defence which is in ruins now. The construction was begun during the rule of Ganapatideva and completed in 1261 AD by the warrior queen Rudramma Devi.  The fort had four ornamental gateways called the Kakatiya Kala Thoranam and is the official emblem of the Telangana State.  The fort was originally made of brick and was replaced with stone by the Kakatiya rulers.  Ruins of the rectangular bastion also called watch towers offer a splendid view of the city.

One of the most stunning features of the fort is the gateway constructed out of a single rock and having 4 magnificent pillars beautifully carved. The four pillars have motifs of lions, elephants, swans, lotus buds, mythical creatures and beaded motifs which are delicate and a feast to the eyes.  An important feature of the carvings are that they are secular in nature and do not contain any religious symbols, possibly a reason for not being damaged by the Muslim invaders.

The temple within the fort dedicated to Lord Siva is completely destroyed and stone slabs, ceiling panels and brackets are seen all around the fort. Inscriptions in Telugu refer to donations made by the rulers to the temple. Just outside the fort is the Kush Mahal which is rectangular in shape and having arches that reflect the Muslim influence in architecture. There are steps leading to the public hall and is a must visit.  

A visit to Warangal must include the Ramappa and Thousand Pillared temple along with the fort that reflects the resilience of a kingdom that fought to survive against enemies and yet brought to life temples and forts which strongly reflect the cultural heritage of the Kakatiyas.