The Bhongir Fort

BHONGIR FORT

History of Bhongir fort

Bhongir fort is one amongst the most glorious fort of architecture that still dint lost its charm with changes in time compared to most of India’s past heritage structures. Bhongir Fort is one of the witnesses for the historical Indian and a glorious period under queen Rudrama Devi and her grandson Prataparudra’s rule. Bhongir Fort held its own against enemy armies but by the 15th century, with the advent of gunpowder, cannons had reduced its strategic importance .It finally went to the Bahmani Sultans who tried to renovate it, and thus, gave it an Islamic style. It became a seat to the local governor, and a prison for Qutub Shahi’s throne pretenders. By the 18th century, the fort has fallen into decay, and until recently, it had just remained a silent fortification ruin, covered in its long but mysterious past. Initially it was known as Tribhuvanagiri, renamed later as Bhuvanagiri and eventually, it has become Bhongir Fort. The city of Bhuvanagiri/Bhongir derives its name from this splendid fort, which stands on a monolithic rock.

This fort is on large granite batholiths comparable in size to the famous World Heritage site of Uluru in Australia. According to the archaeological department, this hill has 3000 years history. This is an Egg form single stone rock. It looks like a Turtle shape from the south side view and Elephant from west side view. It's part of Bala ghat, Anantha Giri Mountains. As per the architecture and some sculptures found in the fort reveal that the fort was ruled by the Chalukya Dynasty for a long time and then by the Kakatiya Dynasty. In 15th century, the fort was surrendered to the Bahamani Sultan and then controlled by a local governor.                     

Sequence of occupants

• Chalukya ruler Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya 1076
• Kakatiya 12 th century
• Qutub Shahi’s 14th century
• Moghals 1687
• Sarvai papadu 1708 conquered Orugallu and Bhongir

Features of Bhongiri fort

Bhongir also called Bhuvanagiri is located only at a distance of 48 kilometres from Hyderabad. The place that lies on the way to the well-known temple city of Yadagirigutta is well accessible by road and rail. The place is quiet popular for its mesmerizing fort atop the monolithic hill that has several admiring tales of those old times. The structure and the design of the fort is just amazing and the height of the hill on which it is situated provides an advantage, which is totally capture the complete attention “a bird’s eye view” of the whole Bhongir town. There is also a believe that the fort consist of an underground pathway, which leads its way directly up to the Golconda fort

• It is spread across an impressive space of 50 acres at a height of around 500 feet over the top a massive rock formation
• It resembles an unusual egg-shape structure along with two main entry points in turn covered with huge rocks
• The fort that's encircled in a moat has underground chamber that is believed to be connect Golconda fort situated 150 km away.
• There are two large gates that block the entry gate. More than this, a huge moat encircles the fort that helps in reinforced its defence methods.
• There are also several alternative choices which are put up at this place to enhance its reputation of being one among the most unbeatable bastions of its time, such as vast underground chamber/stables, an armoury and some trap doors.

Many historians had studied and gave their overall reviews regarding this Bhongir fort.

• Some Archaeologists found traces of "Madhya, Sila Yougam" human appearance -Campbell mentioned about this Fort in Glimpse of the Nizam's dominion book published in 1898
• Dr J. Rantakar of Osmania University’s geology department said the hill on which the Bhongir fort is located is an exposed part of a batholith designated as Eastern Dharwar Craton. It’s 2.5 to 2.7 billion years old. Such hills are exposed after billions of years of erosion.
• Mr D. Satyanarayana, a historian from the city who recently released a coffee table book on Bhongir, said, “Apart from being one of the largest exposed batholith portions in the world, the hill has a rich history. It was occupied by humans as long back as 3,000 years ago, during the Mesolithic Age.

Bhongir fort just shows reminder of a glorious and gallant past. It is truly an icon of the past that makes a telugu people to be proud of their culture, language and heritage. Tourists are being invited always to have a look up at the remnants of the defence mechanism carried inside the fort during the past times and also make up a trip to the fort. It’s more than 700-feet high and is extended over 40 acres of land. This unique rock is regionally called the ‘Eka sila’. The Bala Hisar, the fort located on a hill which is 1500 feet above and which provides an extraordinary view of the surrounding areas and the villages the place played a very important role in the reign of Prataprudra and his Grandmother Rudramadevi.

Tourism Developments

The Telangana tourism department has taken new initiatives by launching several adventure sports here. Rock climbing in Bhongir is sort of popular among those who yearn to face the fun of living on the edge. These adventurous activities are a perfect exercise to put in the attitude of adventure, which is also key to create a robust personality. many youngsters and corporate staff make it to Bhongir to scale the hill that has become a hub of adventure sports for people that get pleasure from the sense of adrenaline rush. Even private organizations organize rock-climbing sessions at this place.

The special attractions of this place include the remnants of the hidden chambers and the Birds eye view of the city of Bhongir from the top of the hill. Apart from all these, several other attractions includes more than 800 years old canon on the top of the hill of the Bhongir fort and the sunrise view from Bhongir fort which looks just too beautiful.

• Hill Top: Shivalayam, Hanuman temple
• Hill Bottom : Pachala Katla Soumeswarudu, Bamma Devara Temple
• The Yadgirigutta temple is about 12 kms from this place
• There is a lake beyond the fort that offers a splendid view of the monolith

How to reach Bhongir fort

Visitors can reach Bhongir by rail from various parts of the state and the fort is just1 km away from the railway station. Visitors can easily accessed by auto rickshaws from the railway station. Apart from this, all the buses which is operating from Hyderabad to Warangal, go via Bhongir. So there are lots of buses available from Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station Hyderabad Bhongir fort timings:10.00am to 5:00pm all days

Entry fee:

5:00 Rs for Indians

100 Rs for Foreigners

25:00 Rs for camera and videography

130 Rs for light and sound show ticket

Video Source by Nava Telangana