2A00:23C7:5D88:6801:A195:36E9:816D:4D95 at 02:54, 24 November 2022

2022-11-24T02:54:19Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name = Belgaum Fort
|partof = [[Belgaum]]
|location = [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
|image = [[File:General view of the gateway of the fort, Belgaum.jpg|300px]]
|caption = Main Gate to the Fort
|map_type = Karnataka
|map_size = 300
|map_caption =
|type = [[Fort]] in Indo-Saracenic and Deccan styles
|coordinates = {{coord|15.8583333|74.5244444|type:landmark|display=inline}}
|code =
|built = 13th century
|builder = Original by Ratta Dynasty and fortified by Yakub Ali Khan of the [[Bijapur Sultanate]]
|materials = [[Granite]] [[rock (geology)|stones]] and mud
|height =
|used =
|demolished =
|condition = [[Ruins]]
|open_to_public = Yes
|controlledby = [[Government of Karnataka]]
|garrison =
|current_commander =
|commanders =
|occupants =
|battles =
|events =
|image2 =
|caption2 = Panoramic View of the Fort
}}

'''Belgaum Fort''' is in the city of [[Belgaum]], in the [[Belgaum district]], in [[Karnataka]] state, India. It was begun by Jaya Raya, also called Bichi Raja, an ally of the Ratta Dynasty, in the year 1204 AD. It has undergone several renovations over the centuries under dynastic rulers of the region.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

The fort, built with fine ramparts and a large moat, has a rich history with historical and religious monuments dated to the Adil Shahi dynasty.<ref name=Various>{{Cite book |author=Various| title= Tourist Guide to Karnataka |chapter=Belagavi Fort |page=63 |accessdate=2009-08-31 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=hypasmfmVn4C&dq=Belgaum+Fort&pg=PA63 |publisher= Sura Books |isbn=978-81-7478-062-1| year= 2009 }}</ref><ref name =belagavi>{{cite web |url= http://www.belgaum.nic.in/Tourist%20Attractions.html |title= Tourist Attractions |accessdate= 2009-08-31 |publisher= National Informatics Centre, Belagavi |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101129025348/http://www.belgaum.nic.in/Tourist%20Attractions.html |archive-date= 29 November 2010 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

The fort has been captured in battles many times, as the possession of local rulers, until the region was stabilized by the [[British Raj]]. It is notable in modern history because [[Mahatma Gandhi]] was imprisoned by the [[United Kingdom|British]] in this fort during India's freedom struggle.<ref name=Various/>

==Geography==
The fort is in the foothills of the [[Sahyadri]] mountain range of ([[Western Ghats]]) in the precincts of the Belagavi town (which was also known as Belgaum or 'Venugrama' meaning bamboo village), at an altitude of about {{convert|762|m|ft}}, {{cvt|100|km}} from the [[Arabian Sea]]. The Markandeya River flows nearby.<ref name=Various/><ref name=City>{{cite web |url= http://www.belgaumcity.gov.in/ |title= Municipal Corporation of Belgaum |accessdate= 2009-08-31 |url-status= dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20060929123745/http://www.belgaumcity.gov.in/ |archivedate= 29 September 2006}}</ref>

There is a Lake in front of the Fort known as Killa Lake.

==History==
The fort's history is traced to the Ratta Dynasty with lineage to the [[Rashtrakuta Dynasty]] (earlier chieftains of [[Saundatti]], who later shifted their capital to Belgaum), [[Vijayanagara]] rulers, [[Bijapur Sultans]] or [[Bahmanis]], [[Marathas]] ([[Shivaji Maharaj]])and finally by the [[United Kingdom|British]] in that order. Before Rattas, [[Shatavahana]]s, [[Chalukyas]] and [[Kadambas]] from [[Goa]] have ruled over the region.<ref name=Belg>{{cite web |url=http://www.nkpost.kar.nic.in/tourismbelgaum.htm |title=Belgaum |accessdate=2009-08-31 |publisher=National Informatics Centre}}</ref>

The Belgaum fort belonged to the Ratta dynasty from the time it was built in 1204 AD by a Ratta officer named Bichiraja. Belgaum, the city around the fort, served as the capital of that dynasty between 1210 AD and 1250 AD. Rattas were defeated by the [[Yadava Dynasty]] of [[Daulatabad, Maharashtra|Devagiri]], and they briefly controlled the fort. At the turn of the 14th century, the [[Khalji dynasty|Khaljis]] of Delhi invaded and succeeded in ruining the indigenous powers of the region – the Yadava and the [[Hoysala]]s —without providing a viable administration. This lacuna was made good by the [[Vijayanagara Empire]], which had become the established power of the area by 1336 AD.<ref name=hand/>

In 1474 AD, the [[Bahmani Sultanate]], then ruling from [[Bidar]], captured the fort of Belgaum under the leadership of Mahamood Gawan. In 1518 AD, the [[Bahamani Sultanate]] split up into five small states, and Belgaum became part of the [[Adilshahi]] sultanate of [[Bijapur Sultanate|Bijapur]]. The [[Ismail Adil Shah]] of Adilshahi dynasty reinforced the fort with the help of Asad Khan Lari (a [[Persia]]n from the province of Lar) and much of the existing structures dates from 1519 AD.<ref name=hand>{{cite web|url=http://gazetteer.kar.nic.in/data/gazetteer/postind/Kar_Handbook_2005_Chapter14.Pdf|title=Chapter XIV-Karnataka, The Tourist Paradise|page=358|accessdate=2009-08-31|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304232130/http://www.gazetteer.kar.nic.in/data/gazetteer/postind/Kar_Handbook_2005_Chapter14.Pdf|archivedate=4 March 2009}}</ref><ref name=Chitnis>{{cite book|last=Chitnis |author2= Krishnaji Nageshrao |title= Glimpses of Maratha socio-economic history |work=Belgaum Fort |page=48 |accessdate=2009-08-31 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=k--C9xHsSnEC&dq=Belgaum+Fort&pg=PA48 |publisher= Atlantic Publishers & Distributors |year=1994 |isbn= 978-81-7156-347-0}}</ref>

In Belgaum, the rule of Adilshahs began in the times of Ismail Adil Shah. Asad Khan Lari assisted Ismail in the battle for the fort and conferred with Belgaum as his [[jagir]] in 1511 AD (in 1519 AD, Asad Khan completed the Masjid Safa in the Belgaum fort).<ref name=hand/>

In 1686, the [[Mughal emperor]] [[Aurangzeb]] defeated the [[Adil Shahi|Bijapur]] [[sultanate]], and Belgaum came under his control. This was a short-lived control because, after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Mughal empire's control declined. With this changed situation, the [[Maratha]] confederacy was taken over by the Peshwas. In 1776, [[Hyder Ali]] of [[Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore]] won over this region, but only for a short period. The Peshwas, with British assistance, defeated Hyder Ali and regained control of Belgaum.
With changed circumstances over the years, the same British attacked the Belgaum fort, which was under [[Peshwas]] control. They held it under siege from 21 March to 12 April 1818 and took control of the fort and deposed the Peshwas. Shivalinga Raju, the [[Kittur]] Desai, helped the British in this attack on the fort.<ref name=Wodeyar>{{Cite book |last=Wodeyar |first= Sadashiva S |title= Rani Chennamma |work=Belgaum Fort |page=23 |accessdate=2009-08-31 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_iwKAQAAIAAJ&q=Belgaum+Fort |publisher= National Book Trust, India |year=1977}}</ref> As a reward, the British allowed Desai to rule over Belgaum town and the fort.<ref name= Maheshwari>{{Cite book|last= Maheshwari|first= Kamalesh Kumar |author2=Kenneth W. Wiggins| title=Maratha mints and coinage|work=Belgaum-Shapur|pages=64, 96|accessdate=2009-08-31|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zVdmAAAAMAAJ&q=Belgaum+Fort|publisher=Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies|year=1989}}</ref>

The fort is currently used as the regional headquarters of the [[Indian Army]].<ref name="Femina">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=24 June 2020|title=Exploring India: 3 Forts To Visit In Belgaum, Karnataka|url=https://www.femina.in/life/travel/3-forts-to-visit-in-belgaum-karnataka-162160-2.html|newspaper=Femina| access-date= 5 November 2022}}</ref>

==Fort structure==
Belgaum Fort is one of the oldest in the state of Karnataka. It had fortifications designed to repel attacks of invading armies. It was originally built by Bichiraja (Ratta Dynasty) in 1204.<ref name=fort>{{cite web|url=http://www.holidayiq.com/Belgaum-Fort-Belgaum-Sightseeing.html|title= Belgaum Fort|accessdate=2009-08-31| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091005055600/http://www.holidayiq.com/Belgaum-Fort-Belgaum-Sightseeing.html| archivedate= 5 October 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Built in an undulating plain, the fort has an oval shape and is surrounded by a deep and wide moat excavated in soft red stone. The external side is a broad esplanade with bastions which rise to about {{convert|32|ft|m}} from the bottom of the moat. The internal dimensions of the fort, which has a level ground, is {{convert|1000|yard|m}} in length and {{convert|800|yard|m}} in width.

Two massive bastions flanked by a large gate, which was originally an entry gate through a bridge, has since been blocked. The gate now in use (said to have been designed by a Brahmin) is considered a fine specimen of Indian architecture. It has a guard chamber, a "groined roof once ornamented with pendants". The exterior of the gate is decorated with large motifs of animals and birds. The gateway is covered by massive doors made of iron designed for defense. An inscription on the top of the arch of the gate in Persian ascribes its building to Jakub Ali Khan. The inscription reads:

<blockquote>"Jakub Ali Khan, who is a joy to the heart, by whose benevolence the world is prosperous, built the wall of the fort from its base as strong as the barrier of Sicardis."<ref name=Guthrie>{{cite web |last=Guthrie |first=Mrs E.Y. |url= https://archive.org/stream/myyearinindianfo01guthuoft/myyearinindianfo01guthuoft_djvu.txt |title=My year in an Indian fort |work=Belgaum Fort |pages=189–192; 313 |accessdate=2009-09-01 |publisher=Duncan Madonald, Blenheim House}}</ref></blockquote>

In 1631 AD the main gate of the fort was built.<ref name=Muthanna>{{Cite book |last=Muthanna |first=I.M. |title= Karnataka, history, administration & culture |work=Belgaum Fort |page=302 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=uCYdAAAAMAAJ&q=Belgaum+Fort |publisher= The University of Michigan |year=1977}}</ref>

There is a western gate with an archway, which is guarded only by a chain stretched across two old cannons. This provides access from a sloping road crossed by a causeway over the moat.<ref>Guthrie, section 192.</ref>

The fort has [[Hindu]], [[Jain]] and [[Muslim]] architectural influence with temples and mosques within its limits, indicating cultural syncretism. The architectural styles seen in the mosques are of the [[Indo-Saracenic]] and [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] type. The fort has been built with stones and mud. A wide moat runs round the fort.<ref name=Belgaum>{{Cite book |title=Tourist Guide to Karnataka |work=Belgaum fort |page=63 |accessdate=2009-08-31 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=hypasmfmVn4C&dq=Belgaum+Fort&pg=PA63 |publisher= Karnataka (Tourist Guide) |year=2006 | isbn=978-81-7478-062-1}}</ref>

==Temples==

===Jain temples===
{{Main|Kamal Basadi}}
[[File:Old jain temple belgaum (1).jpg|thumb|250px|Kamal Basadi Jain temple in Belgaum]]
[[File:Chikka basadi belagavi 2.jpg|thumb|The second Jain temple, Chikki Basadi in ruins]]
Of the two [[Jain temples]] inside the fort, the 'Kamal Basadi', a basadi with the [[Neminatha]] idol in black stone (found in a forest nearby) deified on a stone-carved pedestal, is more famous. It was built in 1204 AD. The other temple, called the 'Chikki Basadi', is in ruins (see picture). Both temples were built inside the fort in the Chalukyan architecture style.

The Mukhamantapa (Mukha main hall) of the Kamal Basadi is very impressive, with a neatly depicted lotus carving projecting from the ceiling. It is accessed through steps partly enclosed by a [[balustrade]] with a large dome of great beauty. Lotus flowers, designed in concave shape, spaced at {{convert|1|ft|cm|adj=mid|intervals}}, arranged in concentric circles in decreasing layers and depicting a central blossom of the lotus, decorate the roof. The lotus pendant is covered by a large pyramidal roof.

The pillars that support the roof with the lotus pendant are founded on [[plinth]]s. Some pillars made of black basaltic stones (said to have magnetic characteristics) are highly polished. It is named the Kamal Basadi since the tower of the temple depicts ''kamal'' ([[Lotus flower|lotus]]) with 72 petals, which presently displays images of the past 24 [[tirthankara]]s but can depict the present and future thirthankars. The pillars are well carved with decorations and neatly polished.

Other idols seen in the temple are of Bhagwan [[Sumatinath]] in the [[kayotsarga]] posture, Bhagwan [[Parshvanath]] under the shade of seven-hooded serpent (Nagaraj), Bhagwan [[Rishabha (Jain tirthankar)|Adinath]] in the [[Lotus position|padmasana]] posture and the [[Navagraha]]. The Archeology Department renovated this temple in 1996.

The second Jain temple, Chikki Basadi, in ruins now, was once considered as a "remarkable piece of Jain architecture". It has a frontage that displays festooned rows of dancing figurines, musicians, and trimmed flowers.<ref>Guthrie, Section 211-212.</ref>

===Hindu temples===
There are two Hindu shrines at the fort entrance: one devoted to [[Ganapathi|Ganesha]] and another to goddess [[Durga]]. The Durga temple is dedicated to multi-armed goddess Durga, as considered the goddess of forts and warfare. It is in a corner of the fort. The outer facade of the temple exhibits painted images of mythological figures.<ref name=Guthrie/>

===Mosques===
The fort has two [[mosques]] or [[masjid]]s: Safa Masjid and Jamia Masjid. The former mosque is the most frequented by the [[Muslim]] population of Belgaum. Safa Masjid was completed in 1519 by [[Asad Khan Lari]] (testified by the Persian inscription). The mosque's pillars have exquisite inscriptions in a fusion of [[Architecture of India#Nagara Style of Architecture|Nagari]] and [[Persian architecture|Persian]] styles. It is said that two of the pillars are from Hindu temples and have Kannada inscriptions in [[Nāgarī script]]s. One pillar dated to 1199 AD is credited to Ratta King Kartaveerya IV and the other pillar dated to 1261 AD is credited to Sevuna (Yadava) Krishna. The Jamia Masjid, dated 1585–86, was built by Sher Khan.<ref name=Chitnis/><ref name =belgam>{{cite web |url= http://www.belgaum.nic.in/Tourist%20Attractions.html |title= Tourist Attractions |accessdate= 2009-08-31 |publisher= National Informatics Centre, Belgaum |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101129025348/http://www.belgaum.nic.in/Tourist%20Attractions.html |archive-date= 29 November 2010 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref name=heritage>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourtravelworld.com/heritage-tours/monuments/belgaum-fort.htm|title= Belgaum Fort|accessdate=2009-08-31}}</ref><ref name= Sathyan>{{Cite book |last=Sathyan |first= B. N. Sri |title=Karnataka State Gazetteer: Belgaum |work=BelgaumFort |page=127 |accessdate=2009-08-31 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=n40BAAAAMAAJ&q=Belgaum+Fort|publisher=The Director of Print, Stationery and Publications at the Govt. Press|year=1965}}</ref>

==Access==
The fort is in the precincts of Belgaum city (which is in the northwestern parts of [[Karnataka]]) and lies at the border of two states: [[Maharashtra]] and Goa. It is well connected by road, rail and air services to all parts of the country.

Belgaum is connected by road via the [[National Highway (India)|National Highway]] 4 (connecting [[Maharashtra]] (now part of the [[Golden Quadrilateral]]), Karnataka, [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]) and NH 4A (connecting Karnataka and Goa). The road distance is {{convert|502|km|mi}} to [[Bangalore]] (on the Bangalore-Pune highway); {{cvt|515|km|mi}} to [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]] and {{cvt|500|km|mi}} to [[Mumbai]]. It is midway between Bangalore and Mumbai.<ref name=hand/><ref name=fort/>

The distances to the nearest cities in the border states of Maharashtra and Goa are [[Hubbali]] - {{cvt|94|km|mi}}, [[Dharwad]] - {{cvt|70|km|mi}}, [[Mangalore]] - {{cvt|438|km|mi}}, [[Goa]]-{{cvt|125|km|mi}}, [[Kolhapur]] - {{cvt|103|km|mi}} and [[Pune]] - {{cvt|336|km|mi}}. It is close to the bus station.

The airport serving the city is [[Belgaum Airport]] at Sambra which is the oldest airport in [[North Karnataka]]. It is {{cvt|10|km}} from the city.<ref name =access>{{cite web |url= http://www.belgaum.nic.in/accessibility.html |title= Accessibility |accessdate= 2009-08-31 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110208011952/http://www.belgaum.nic.in/accessibility.html |archive-date= 8 February 2011 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

[[Belgaum]] is well connected by rail to major destinations such as [[Bangalore]], [[Mumbai]] (via [[Miraj]]) and Goa.

==References==
{{Commons category|Belgaum Fort}}
{{reflist|33em}}

{{Forts in Karnataka}}
{{Forts in India}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1204]]
[[Category:Forts in Belagavi district]]
[[Category:Belgaum]]
[[Category:13th-century Jain temples]]

Belgaum Fort - Revision history

2A00:23C7:5D88:6801:A195:36E9:816D:4D95 at 02:54, 24 November 2022