Khammam Fort

2022-08-27T13:00:09Z

223.230.40.159:

{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2013}}

{{Infobox military installation
|name = Khammam Fort
|native_name =
|partof = Stambhadri Hills
|location = [[Khammam]], [[Telangana]], [[India]]
|image =
|caption =
|pushpin_map=India Telangana
|pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Telangana]]
|pushpin_label_position = left
|type = Hill Fort
|coordinates = {{coord|17|14|43|N|80|08|48|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}

|builder = [[Musunuri Nayaks]]
|materials = Stone, Limestone mortar
|height = {{convert|867|m|ft}}
|used = Tourism
|demolished =
|condition = Declared Protected Monument by [[Archaeological Survey of India]] in 2005.
Mostly Destroyed.
|ownership = Government of India
|open_to_public = Yes
|controlledby =
[[Musunuri Nayaks]] {{small|1210 A. D. - 1369 A. D.}}

[[Gurijala Nayaks]] {{small|1369 A. D. - 1433 A. D.}}

Independent rulers {{small|1512 A. D. -1515 A.D}}

[[Sri Krishnadevaraya]] of [[Tuluva Dynasty]] {{small|1515 A.D for a brief period}}

[[Qutb Shahi dynasty]] {{small|1518 A.D - 1687 A.D}}

[[Mughal Empire]] {{small|1687 A.D - 1707 A.D}}

[[Asaf Jahi Dynasty]] {{small|1707 A.D-1948 A.D}}

{{flagcountry|India}} {{small|(1948 - Till date)}}
|garrison =
|occupants =
[[Musunuri Nayaks]] - {{small|1210 A. D. - 1369 A. D.}}

[[Gurijala Nayaks]] {{small|1369 A. D. - 1433 A. D.}}

[[Krishna Deva Raya]] of [[Tuluva Dynasty]], [[Shitab Khan]] - {{small|1515 A.D - 1518 A.D}}

[[Qutb Shahi dynasty]]- {{small|1518 A.D - 1687 A.D}}

[[Aurangazeb]] of the [[Mughal Empire]] - {{small|1687 A.D - 1707 A.D}}

[[Asaf Jahi Dynasty]] - {{small|1707–1948 A.D}}
|battles = [[Musunuri Nayaks]], [[Gurijala Nayaks]], [[Qutub Shahis]], [[Aurangazeb]], [[Sri Krishnadevaraya]] and Local Rulers
|events =Stambhadri Sambaralu,1000 Year Celebrations of Khammam Khilla
|image2 =
|caption2 =
}}

'''Khammam Fort''' is a fort in the city of [[Khammam]], [[Telangana]], India constructed by [[Lakshma Reddy, Ranga Reddy and Velama Reddy]. It served as an impregnable citadel during various regimes of different dynasties, including the [[Musunuri Nayaks]], Qutb Shahi’s and Asaf Jahis. The fort was situated in a very vast area in the heart of the City of Khammam. It was notified as a protected monument by the Archaeology Department several decades ago. Despite decades of neglect, the historical edifice, which once flourished with regal opulence, presents its alluring charm due to its architectural splendor.

==Etymology==
The historical records show that the earlier name was "Kambham mettu" or "Stambhadri".<ref>[https://www.telangana.gov.in/about/districts/khammam Khammam], Telangana State Potal, retrieved 15 April 2019.</ref> "Mettu" means hill or highland in the Telugu language. The name was also anglicised as "Commomet" and "Khammammet".{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

== Construction ==
The Khammam Fort was built by [[Musunuri Nayaks]]. Several inscriptions were discovered in the surrounding areas of [[Khammam]] and [[Krishna (district)|Krishna]] districts of [[Musunuri Nayaks]]. Khammam slowly became an independent territory within the kingdom of [[Kakatiyas]] for Musunuri Nayaks. 75 Telugu speaking feudatories of the region under the leadership of Musunuri Nayaks fought for 10 long years to unify the Telugu land and succeeded in repulsing the [[Delhi Sultanate]] forces under Malik Maqbul (Khan-e-Jahan Tilangani) out of their country.

==Architecture & Significant Features==
* This Fort is located in an area of 4 Sq. miles in the heart of the City of Khammam on top of a massive granite Hill. It is surrounded by a huge rock wall averaging between 40 and 80 feet(13 to 25 Meters) in height and 15 to 20 feet(4.5 to 6 Meters) in width. There are steps from each buruju (bastion) to enter into the fort. The Fort was considered practically impregnable by invading armies.
* A number of balconies and windows are constructed along the wall in order to use the artillery during wartime. It has a capacity of mounting at least 60 cannons at a time.
* The fort 10 large gates most of them in poor shape now. Each gate has cannons mounted on them along with a water pot made of rocks. They are built such that an impact of a cannonball could not break it.
* The main entrance is a 30-foot tall entrance known as the Khilla darwaza (meaning fort gate in Urdu). It has 2 cannons on either side of the entrance. One of them still mounted with a head. They are now partially destroyed due to the negligence of the archeology department.
* The east gate or the secondary entrance is equally large and is popularly known as the Raathi Darwaza (meaning stone entrance in Urdu) or Potha Darwaza.
* All other gates are smaller than the main entrance and could have been constructed to avoid large cavalries to enter the fort in case of an attack.
* A huge rainwater catchment system and well have been constructed on the Khilla during the period of Zafar-ud-doula, well known for construction of tanks during Qutb shahi dynasty. This massive tank is now known as the 'Zafar well'. It is 60 feet X 30 feet stepped well with a bridge across it for men and horses to move around. He also built the walls using Bricks and limestone along the fort.
* As soon as we enter the Khilla darwaza, one can see the Fort at a distance of 300 feet. There are small steps carved out of this hill to reach the top of the Hill fort. They are later renovated with railings for the steps by the Tourism department and Archaeological Survey of India in 2005 during the 1000 year celebrations of this historical fort. A lot of small gates known as 'Dalohiswar' are all around the walls of the fort.
* Fort has at least 15 bastions constructed with two massive walls as a military strategy to take the impact of the cannonballs and to counter the enemy from the top. A 15-foot deep trench is dug in some places for the army to store and use as a hiding place.
* The huge blocks of stone used for the walls are as long as 10 feet and are believed to be transported using elephants and men. No mud or limestone is used in this huge wall and the rocks are tightly placed and leaving the viewers amazed by the construction
* A permanent [[Gallows]] has been erected on this prominent hill fort, where the estimated seat of justice could have been inside the fort. The platform is made of Stone and appears like a well, due to which the locals call this 'Nethi bhavi' ('నేతి బావి 'meaning Ghee well). This stone structure could be seen from allover the city of khammam.[[File:Khammam fort gheewell.JPG|thumb|Stone Gallows, locally believed to be a Ghee well on top of the fort]]
* The fort is believed to have a secret tunnels to the Warangal Fort with multiple entrances in different locations at the fort. One such entrance is 10 feet in diameter and the steps to enter the tunnel are closed due to damage over the years. The local folklore includes stories about valuables being transferred between the kings from here using the secret passages and escaping enemy attacks through them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/khammam-fort-heritage-in-peril/article6835132.ece?photo=11|title=Khammam Fort: Heritage in peril|date=2015-01-29|access-date=2016-07-09}}</ref>

== Culture ==
This fort appears to be a replicate the cultures of both Hindu and Muslim rulers who ruled this fort city.

The Lakshmi Narasimha swami temple in Brahmin bazar, Sri Ramalingeshwara temple is one of the oldest shivalayam (Shiva temple) are some of the oldest Hindu temples in Telangana and are older than the fort itself.

During the Qutb shahi dynasty, many new places of worship have been constructed in and around the fort such as the Khilla masjid.

== Encroachments ==
The fort, once mighty bastion of royal dynasties, continues to face further encroachment threat due to lack of proper monitoring mechanism. Large settlements occupied the areas in and around the fort due to the lack of proper monitoring of encroachments. Destruction of the granite hill and construction of houses continues till today around the fort area.
[[File:Seven iron cannons currently lying scattered atop the fort are in a state of neglect.jpg|thumb|Ruins of the Cannons inside the fort]]

== Development ==
Recently Minister for Roads & Buildings [[Thummala Nageswara Rao|Tummala Nageswara Rao]] has mooted the proposal to set up solar streetlights at the fort well before the next [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] celebrations in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/historic-khammam-fort-set-to-get-back-its-sheen/article6837735.ece|title=Historic Khammam fort set to get back its sheen|date=2015-01-30|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-07-09}}</ref>
[[File:Khammam City View from the Top of the Fort.jpg|left|thumb|259x259px|Khammam City View from the top of the Fort]]
[[File:Khammam Khilla.jpg|thumb|288x288px|Khammam Khilla as seen from the City]]
[[File:Khammam fort as seen on a fullmoon day.JPG|thumb|Night View of Khammam Fort during Stambhadri Festival|center|272x272px]]
[[File:Steps to reach the Hill Fort.jpg|thumb|Renovated Steps to reach the Hill Fort|left]]
[[File:Steps to descend along the walls.jpg|left|thumb|Bastions inside the Fort for the Army to Counter Enemy Attack]]
{{commons category}}

{{Forts in Telangana}}
{{Forts in India}}

== See also ==
*[[Musunuri Nayaks]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

http://www.namasthetelangaana.com/TelanganaNews-in-Telugu/khammam-fort-khammam-telangana-tourism-1-15-354124.html

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/khammam-fort-heritage-in-peril/article6835132.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/historic-khammam-fort-set-to-get-back-its-sheen/article6837735.ece

[[Category:Forts in Telangana]]
[[Category:Khammam]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Khammam district]]

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Khammam Fort