Commercial Noida at 13:17, 7 February 2026

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{{Short description|Hill fort in Telangana, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox Military Structure
|name = Elgandal Fort
|native_name =
|partof =
|image = Elgandal Fort.jpg
|location = [[Karimnagar]], [[Telangana]]
|caption = Elgandal Fort
|map_type=India Telangana
|map_size = 200
|map_caption = Shown within [[Telangana]]
|type = Fort
|coordinates = {{coord|18.420751|79.042601|type:landmark|display=inline}}
|built = 1083-{{start date and age|1323}}
|builder =
|materials = Stone
|height =
|used =
|demolished =
|condition =
|ownership =
|open_to_public = Yes
|controlledby =
|garrison =
|current_commander =
|commanders =
|occupants =
|battles =
|events =
|image2 =
|caption2 =
}}
'''Elgandal Fort''' is situated amidst palm groves on the banks of the Manair River (a tributary of the [[Godavari River]]), approximately {{convert|10|km|mi}} from [[Karimnagar]] on the Sircilla Road in the Indian state of Telangana.
It was once under the control of the [[Qutub Shahi dynasty]], the [[Mughal Empire]], and the [[Nizam of Hyderabad|Nizams of Hyderabad]]. During the Nizam era it was the headquarters of Karimnagar. It is believed that a secret tunnel connects Elgandal Fort and [[Manakondur]] some {{convert|9|km}} from Karimnagar on the Karimnagar-Vemulawada highway.<ref name=HINDU>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/wild-bears-make-elgandal-fort-their-home/article893362.ece|title=Wild bears make Elgandal Fort their home|author=K. M. Dayashankar|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=2010-11-18|accessdate=2014-12-07}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Teen minar Elgandal fort Karimnagar.jpg|Teen Minar, Elgandal Fort|right|250px]]
Originally known as Veligandula, Elgandal is a hillfort built of during the [[Kakatiya dynasty]] (1083–1323) and served as a stronghold for the warrior [[Musunuri Nayaks]]. The [[Qutb Shahi dynasty]] occupied the fort in the 16th century and posted Quinamul Mulk as commander. Subsequently, it fell under the administrative control of the [[Mughal Empire]]. Amin Khan was appointed as Khiledar of Elagandal during the reign of [[Nizam of Hyderabad]] [[Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I|Asaf Jah I]] (r. 1724–1748) followed by Muqarrab Khan. Mirza Ibrahim dhamsa became Khiledar during the reign of Nawab [[Salabat Jung]]. Dhamsa rebuilt and strengthened the fort in 1754 during the reign of [[Sikandar Jah]] (r.1803-1823). Bahadur Khan and Karimuddin served as Khiledars.

While reorganizing the districts, the Sixth Nizam, [[Mir Mahbub Ali Khan]], shifted the District Headquarters from Elagandal to Karimnagar in 1905.

Elgandal's rulers surrounded the fort with a crocodile filled moat of around {{convert|5|m}} wide and {{convert|4|m}} deep to prevent enemy incursions.<ref name=HINDU />

The site also houses a [[mosque]] and an [[eidgah]], the designated place for special [[Eid ul-Fitr|Eid]] prayers.

==Notable sites==
Elagndal village is located 15 km from Karimnagar. This is a historical place.
The places to visit in Elagandal village include
* The fort on a hill called as Elagandal khilla
* Brindavan tank outside the eastern gateway of the fort, built by Zafar-ud-Doula in 1754, with minarets that oscillate when shaken
* "Dho Minar"

DoMinar built by Muslim kings (Nizams), has two tall pillars and the height of the pillars is approximately equal to that of Hyderabad [[Charminar]].

== See also ==
*[[Musunuri Nayaks]]
*[[Salabat Jung]]
*[[Asaf Jahi dynasty]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* https://web.archive.org/web/20080206122935/http://www.elgandal.com/
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061026231443/http://www.indianngos.com/districts/karimnagar/culture%26heritage.htm IndianNGOs.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070303175054/http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/09/stories/2005040913300300.htm The Hindu] article.

{{Forts in Telangana}}

[[Category:Forts in Telangana]]

Elgandal Fort - Revision history

Commercial Noida at 13:17, 7 February 2026