Naldurg Fort

Naldurg Fort – A Historical Overview

Naldurg, formerly a district headquarters, is situated about 50 kilometers southeast of Osmanabad. This fort holds significant geographical importance and is built on a basalt rock knoll that juts into the valley of the Bori River. The fort is fortified on three sides with strong walls and large bastions capable of holding heavy guns. The total circumference of the fort is approximately one and a half miles.

Interior of the Fort

The interior of the fort contains ruins of walls, wide roads, and several notable structures:

Major Bastions: Upli Buruj (a high bastion), Paranda Buruj, Nagar Buruj, Sangam Buruj, Sangram Buruj, Bandh Buruj, Pune Buruj, among others.

Architectural Remains: Structures like Barood Kotha, Baradari, Ambarkhana, Rangin Mahal, and Jali are found within the fort. Although these buildings are now in ruins, they suggest that the fort once housed spacious and grand structures.

Tanks and Cannons: The fort has two tanks and significant cannons, including the “Hathi Toph” and the “Magar Toph.”

Gates and the Water Palace

Main Gates: The Hathi Darwaza and the Hurmukh Darwaza are the fort’s primary entrances.

Water Palace: The fort is connected to the Bori River dam by an architectural marvel known as the Pani Mahal. This dam and palace were constructed during the reign of Ibrahim Adil Shah II.

Historical Background

The fort was initially built by a Hindu king, a vassal of the Chalukya rulers of Kalyani.

It later came under the dominion of the Bahamani Sultanate.

Subsequently, the Adil Shahi kings of Bijapur took control of the fort.

Finally, in 1686, it was annexed into the Mughal Empire.

Conclusion

The Naldurg Fort is a significant part of India’s cultural and historical heritage. Its architecture, grand fortifications, and ancient structures stand as a testament to the grandeur and strategic importance it held in the past.

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