Forts in Telangana acted as the security guard to all the cities in medieval times of Telangana, which was merged with Andhra Pradesh. The forts include "Bhongir Fort", "Devarakonda", "Elgandal Fort", "Golconda Fort", "Khammam Fort", "Medak Fort", "Nagnoor Fort", "Rachakonda" and "Warangal Fort", "Kondaveedu Fort", "Gandhari Khilla", "Nizamabad Fort", "Ramagiri Fort" and "Gandikota Fort".
The state was recognized for being a key in trading regions along with the coast and all through its history has had many overseas communities coming here to do commerce. Telangana is well-known for its rich culture, traditions and inheritance.
Different Forts in Telangana
With ample trading areas along with the seashore, foreign clientele was huge resulting in battles for ownership. Therefore many forts were built to mark territories and claim power. Famous forts in Telangana are as follows:
Bhongir Fort: Bhongir Fort is an early medieval fort located in Bhongir of Nalgonda district in Telangana. It is located on a huge rock at a commanding height. It was built in the 10th century on an isolated monolithic rock by the Western Chalukya ruler "Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI" and was thus named after him as "Tribhuvanagiri".
Devarakonda Fort: Devarakonda Fort was a formidable stronghold of the "Recharla Velama" Kings. This dynasty constructed this fort in the early phase of 14th century. This mid medieval fort in Telangana now stands amidst ruins. Now this place is dedicated to archaeological studies.
Elgandal Fort: Elgandal Fort in Telangana was built in the last phase of the medieval era after the decline of Mughal Empire and the advent of colonial armies. This fort is situated on the banks of the "Manair River", a tributary of the Godavari River, the Ganga of the South. This fort is located 10 kilometres from Karimnagar District of Telangana on the Kamareddy Road. Elgandal fort is made by Zafar-Ud-Doula in 1754.
Golconda Fort: Golconda fort was first built by the rulers of "Kakatiya Dynasty" as part of their western defences. It was built in 945 -970 AD on the lines of the "Kondapalli fort". The city and fortress are built on a granite hill that is 120 meters high and is surrounded by massive crenulated ramparts.
Warangal Fort: Warangal Fort in Telangana is an example of Kakatiya art and architecture of early medieval era. This fort appears to have existed since at least the 13th century AD.
Rachakonda Fort: Rachakonda fort is a medieval fort in Telangana. It is dated back to the 14th century AD. Rachakonda acted as a buffer State between the Muslim Bahamani kingdom and the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire and was subsequently taken over by the "Bahamanis" in 1433 AD during the "Velama" rule.
Nagnoor Fort: Nagnoor Fort is testimony to the imperial powers of the "Kakatiyas". It was one of the most important forts of the emerging Kakatiya dynasty and contains ruins of a cluster of "Kalyana" and Kakathiya temples. The pillars and galleries of Nagnoor Fort around the Lord Shiva temple here are worth seeing. The most important temple in the complex is the Lord Shiva temple which has three shrines. The main entrance to the Lord Shiva temple is on the northern side and the three shrines face the other three directions. The beams of the Lord Shiva temple have sculptured images of musicians playing on "Mridangam" and other South Indian musical instruments. The panels are carved with visuals of dancers in graceful poses. The village of "Nagunur" is just about 8 km from Karimnagar Town.
Medak Fort: Medak Fort is in Medak district in Telangana, located at about 100 kilometres from Hyderabad, the capital city of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is a citadel built on a hillock that provided a vantage point for the Kakatiyan rulers in early medieval India. The fort was built sometimes around the 12th century. The fort has great historical and architectural importance in Telangana. Within the fort, there is a 17th century old mosque, which was built by the Qutub Shahi Dynasty.
Khammam Fort: Khammam Fort was built with granite and has an area of around 4 square kilometres. This fort of medieval era has 10 endpoints. And it has a mosque and Mahal.
Gandhari Khilla Fort: Gandhari Khilla is a hill fort situated next to "Bokkalagutta", in "Mandamarri Mandal" in Adilabad district in the south Indian state of Telangana. The fort was built in a heavily forested area which has a prosperity of place species which includes numerous medicinal herbs.
Nizamabad Fort: Nizamabad Fort is also identified as "Nizamabad Quilla". It is a fort in Nizamabad in the Indian state of Telangana. It was built in 10th century by "Rashtrakuta Kings" and is located in the southwest of the city.
Ramagiri Fort: The Ramagiri Fort is also recognized as "Ramagiri Khilla", situated over a mountain top, is in the "Peddapalli district" of the Indian state of Telangana. The fort provides a scenic view of the meeting of the "Manair" and Godavari Rivers.