Kondapalli Fort - It Was Used As A Military Base By British Rulers

KONDAPALLI FORT

AT

VIJAYAWADA

Kondapalli fort is located in Kondapalli village of Krishna District In Andhra pradesh state of India. This Fort was constructed in the 14th century and has served many dynasties ruling the region and it is about 16 kilometres from Vijayawada. The fort was used as trading centre and during the colonial rule, it served as a base for military training. The area around the fort is a relaxing picnic spot.

Kondapalli Fort saw many rulers in its heydays. After the Reddy Kings, came the Qutub Shahi rulers, the Gajapathis, the Mughals and Nizams and finally the British troops who took over the fort and made it their base in 1767. It served as a commercial hub in the olden days, as it lay on the Machilipatanam-Golconda trade route. Some historians claim that the fort dates back to the 7th century, built by King Krishna Deva Raya. The fort got renovated later under the control of the Qutub Shahis. Today, its broken and dilapidated facades give you a glimpse of its past glories.

The fort has three entrance gates. The main gate is known as Dargha Darwaza and is made from a single granite block. It is about 12 feet wide and 15 feet high. The gate gets its unique name from Gulab Shah's tomb. The other notable gate of the fort is the Golconda Darwaza, which is fortified with battlements and towers. This gate functions as a gateway to the neighbouring village of Jaggaiahpet.

Kondapalli Fort, built in the year 1360 by the Hindu King Prolaya Vema Reddy of Kondaveedu, was at one time a very handsome fort. Built as a provision for recreation and leisure, the Kondapalli Fort, over the subsequent years, changed many hands. It came to be ruled by the Bahmani Rulers for some time and then the Gajapati Rulers of Orissa took over followed by Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Muslim rulers of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty captured the fort and the surrounding areas in the 16th century.

Hamvira (son of Gajapati Kapilendra Deva) of Orissa fought against the Reddy’s. He waged a massive attack and occupied the whole of Kondavidu territory by 1454. In the meantime, Hamvira had to fight against his brother Purushottam too, who sought the help from the Bahmani Sultans. Hamvira thus became successful in winning the war and occupying the throne of Orissa in 1472. Subsequently, Purushottam defeated Hamvira in 1476. That same year the revolution at Kondapalli began. 

The garrison of Kondapalli revolted against the Bahmani King and gave possession to Hamvira (Hamer Oriya). This did not deter Purushottam from trying to get back Kondapalli and Rajahmundry and he did succeed in winning the throne once again. In 1481, the Bahmani kingdom was in complete disarray after Sultan Muhammad’s demise. Seeing an opportune moment, Purushottam defeated the Sultan’s son, Muhamad Shah and captured Rajahmundry and Kondapalli Fort.

The year 1497 saw the demise of Gajapato Purushottam Deva who was succeeded by Gajapati Prataprudra Deva. Much later in 1519, Krishnadevaraya once again defeated the Orissa ruler and married Gajapati Prataprudra Deva’s daughter, Kalinga Kumara Jaganmohini. A treaty was also signed for restoring all the land, up to the southern boundary of Krishna River, which included Kondapalli. In 1531, Kondapalli came under the rule of the Sultan of Golkonda.

It was under Lord Clive’s governance that the Mughal emperor, Shah Alam granted five Circars or Sarkars (term used in the Muslim states of the Indian Subcontinent) to the British. This was an Indian coinage, to define the part of a Subha Province. During the British rule, under Madras Presidency, the districts of Guntur, Godavari, Krishna, Ganjam and Vishakapatnam were included. The Kondapalli Fort came to rest with the British. In 1823, the East India Company wrested total control of the Sarkars under an outright purchase from the Nizam.

By Air

The nearest airport is at Gannavaram, situated 24kms from Vijayawada city. It is a mid-sized domestic airport and flights are available to Hyderabad and Chennai, thrice a day.

By Rail 

Vijayawada is the largest and most important railway junction of South Central Railway. A number of express and superfast trains connect Vijayawada to the rest of the country. It lies along the Chennai-Howrah and Chennai- Delhi route.

By Bus

Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses connect Vijayawada to all places within the state as well as to all major cities in India. Tourist Taxis, Metered Taxis, Auto rickshaws are available for local transport.