chapter-v military architecture under haider ali and...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter - V
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CHAPTER-V
MILITARY ARCHITECTURE UNDER HAIDER ALI AND
TIPU SULTAN
Evolution of Fort
Forts are military constructions or buildings designed for the defense of
territories in warfare, and also used to solidify rule in a region during peace
time. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years,
in a variety of increasingly complex designs. The term is derived from the
Latin fortis ("strong") and facere ("to make").
From very early history to modern times, walls have been a necessity for
cities to survive in an ever changing world of invasion and conquest. Some
settlements in the Indus Valley Civilization were the first cities (They were
very small in comparison to later, major cities) to be fortified. In ancient
Greece, large stone walls had been built in Mycenaean Greece, such as the
ancient site of Mycenae (famous for the huge stone blocks of its 'cyclopean'
walls). A Phrourion was a fortified collection of buildings being used as a
military garrison and is the equivalent of the Roman castellum or English
fortress. These construction mainly served the purpose of a watch tower, to
guard certain roads, passes, and lands detrimental to the kingdom. Though
smaller than a real fortress, these constructions acted as a border guard rather
than a real strongpoint to watch and maintain the border.
Forts in ancient India
Three major methods were used for the construction of ancient Indian
forts. The first consisted of earthen ramparts. Often they were constructed of
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the sand which was dug out of the ditch surrounding the fort. The second of
rubble with earth on the outside which was more sturdy. The third type of
construction was with stone and masonry work. The last was the strongest.
Often materials from demolished forts were reused in the building of new
forts.1
By 4 BCE, fortified cities were common in India. The largest ones were
between the city of Mathura (on the Yamuna river) and Magadha (on the
Ganges). Another series of forts in the south, was on the Ujjain(on the
Narmada) leading into the Deccan. These are inferred by the remains of fort
walls and bastions seen on excavation at Rajagriha and at several sites in the
Gangetic plain notably Kaushambi. At the latter site huge walls of burnt brick,
which look like they have been battered. There does not seem to be any formal
planning of these forts.
There are few descriptions of these ancient structures. The most noted is
the one by Megasthenes, an ambassador of Seleucus I Nicator to the court
ofChandragupta Maurya. He describes Pataliputra as being guarded by a ditch
with wooden walls. The fort had 570 towers and 54 gates with colonnaded
halls decorated with gold and silver. One such hall has been excavated and is
one of the oldest stone structures in India.
Types of Ancient Indian Forts
Though most of the structures have been decayed and are lost, India's
legacy of ancient forts is seen mostly in the shastras (ancient Indian treatises)
and in the reliefs on stupas. On some of the early relief work, the carvings
1 WILKS, Mark. Historical Sketches of the South of India in an Attempt to Trace the History
of Mysoor: Mysore: Government Branch Press,1930-1932.[vol-II] pp-495-500 .
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indicate that ancient Indian forts has crenallations, embrasures and sloping
walls. The Arthashastra the Indian treatise on military strategy describes six
major types of forts differentiated by their major mode of defense.
Detail on stupa at Sanchi showing evidence of crenallations andembrasures
Jal durg:a fortress surrounded by water, also known as audaka-
durga and ab-durga. There are two subtypes - the island fortress,
or antardvipa-durga, and the plain fortress or sthala-durga. The sea or
the waters of a river wash the first like Murud-Janjira.The latter is
encircled with artificial moats filled with water or irrigated by a river.
Plain fortresses are naturally much more common.
Giri durgs: Giri-durga, or parvata-durga, is a hill or mountain fortress.
There are three varieties: prantara-durga, giri-parshva-durga and guha-
durga. Prantara-durga is a fortress built on the summit (usually flat) of
a hill or a mountain. Ingiri-parshva-durga both major civilian structures
and fortifications extend down the slope of a hill or mountain though the
summit is certainly included into the defence system, too. The living
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quarters of a guha-durga fortress are situated in a valley surrounded by
high, impassable hills. The hills house a chain of outposts and signal
towers connected by extensive defensive walls.
Vana durg or vrikshya-durga, would be surrounded on all sides with a
dense, impassable forest over a distance of at least 4 kroshas(14.6 km).
Variations were the khanjana-durga, built on fens and encircled with
thorny woods, and the sthambha-durga, erected in the jungles among
high trees but lacking sufficient sources of water.
Dhanu durg Dhanvana, dhanva, or maru-durga are desert fortresses,
usually to be found in an arid area bare of trees, grass or sources of water
over a distance of no less than 5 yojanas (73 km), hence its other
name, nirudaka-durga, or waterless fortress. An airina-durga is built on
saline soil of barren tract or on fens impregnated with saline water and
protected by the thorny bushes that grow there.
Mahi durg There are three types of mahi-durga or earth fortress. Mrid-
durga are encircled with earthen walls; the approaches to panka-
durga are protected by fens or quicksand; and parigha-durga are
surrounded by walls made of earth and stone or brick, their height
exceeding 5.4m and their width constituting half of the height.
Nar durg or fortress with men, was defended by a large and loyal army
of proven warriors, and was well supplied with arms. It was usually a
city fortress, well populated with a substantial garrison. It was also
called nara-durga and bala-durga.
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Each type of fortress had different advantages. Manu (author of
the Manusm ti a Vedic text) considered the hill forts offers the best defenses.
Some Sanskrit text also consider hill forts to be the abode of gods and hence
auspicious. Manu also considers the disadvantages of other fortresses. A
fortress surrounded by water often sheltered reptiles and snakes, which made
for a rapid spread of disease; on the other hand, reptiles and snakes could deter
an assault on a fortress, and disease could force the enemy to lift a siege.Earth
fortresses often swarmed with rats and rodents, which might in the long run eat
away their foundations. Monkeys plagued the inhabitants of arboreal fortresses,
while a fortress that housed a lot of people had to be kept well supplied with
food and water to feed all those mouths.However the Mahabharata considers
Nri-durga to be the best defensive structures. Most of the time a combination
of defenses were used to guard the fort. Ranthambore Fort, for example, stands
on a hill (giri-durga) and used to be surrounded by dense forests (vana-durga).
When a considerable garrison of soldiers was billeted in it, the castle could also
be classified as nri-durga.
The method of planning of the fort is also described along with the
layout of the roads. Kautilya suggests that the roads should be laid along the
four cardinal directions with a temple at the centre. The Kings house should be
at the north.
One of the oldest and most well preserved of such structures are the
excavated ruins of ancient fortifications at Sisupalgarh in Orissa. It is estimated
to date from the 3rd century BCE and was in occupation for a thousand years at
least. Outlines of the fort indicate it had eight gates and thick walls. The
western gate was quite elaborate. In 2005, sonar analyais suggested the
presence of a deep moat around the fort.
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Forts in Medieval India
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur a Giri durg
Bastions of Murud-Janjira a Jal durg
Ruins of Golkonda Fort, Hyderabad
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With the advent of the Muslims, closely followed by the introduction of
artillery in the 16th century there were several changes to the construction and
design of forts. These changes were similar to the changes that took place in
Western forts with the advent of gunpowder, i.e. the lowering of walls,
thickening of walls, further pushing out of bastions etc. The construction of a
citadel in the centre and putting in more area between the citadel and the walls
was characteristic of Muslim forts (influenced in turn by the Norman motte and
bailey). Classic examples of such structures are the Golkonda and the Berar
fort.
The gates of medieval Indian forts were highly decorated. Two distinct
styles are seen. The Hindu style with a lintel and the Mughal style with an arch.
Gates in Indian forts were often high and wide to allow elephants to pass.
Often they had rows of sharp, stout iron spikes to dissuade an attacking army
from using elephants to break down the gates. Such a gate with spikes can be
seen on the Shaniwarwada fort, Pune. The walls of the forts were often looked
higher from the outside than the inside as the forts made use of the natural rock
formations on hills. This not only gave an illustion of greater height but also
lead to the lower walls of the fort to be entirely made up of natural rock
providing almost a perfect defense against the use of a battering ram or
elephants to tear down the walls.
Construction
Stone was the most important material for building fortifications in
medieval India. Walls were erected by one of the following three construction
methods. A wall could be an earthen rampart faced with stone on both sides.
The rampart was built using the earth excavated while digging the ditch, with
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three-quarters of it used for building a rampart and one-quarter for levelling out
the surface inside the fortress and in front of the ditch. Facing the rampart with
stone allowed for the erection of higher and steeper walls than those possible
with a purely earthen rampart. The structure had a substantial shortcoming,
however: an earthen core accumulated water, which could destroy the stone
shell. Drainage channels were therefore installed along the length of the wall
from top to bottom.
The second method consisted of filling the space between the outer
layers with earth mixed with rubble. This core was considerably harder than
simply using rammed earth. The third and most advanced method involved the
use of mortar. A rubble-built wall fastened with mortar was strong and long
lasting. Construction methods depended, however, on the materials available.
In medieval India, several reports exist of the practice of burying
humans either dead or alive in the foundations of fort walls, to ensure their
stability, being widely followed. It was believed that the ghosts of those
sacrificed as such would keep evil spirits away. During the building of the Sri
Qila, Delhi Alauddin Khilji is reported to have buried 8,000 skulls of Mughals
killed by him into the foundation. During the building of Purandar Fort one its
bastions gave way several times. The king ofBerar then ordered his minister an
Esaji Naik Chive to bury a first-born son and his wife into the foundation of the
bastion. This was promptly done and after a further offering of gold and bricks.
When the bastion was finished Esaji Naik was given possession of the fort and
the father of the sacrificed boy was rewarded with two villages. This custom
was also followed by Shivaji when he built his forts.
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Many Indian fortifications have parapets with peculiarly
shaped merlons and complicated systems of loopholes, which differ
substantially from similar structures in other countries. Typical Indian merlons
were semicircular and pointed at the top, although they were sometimes fake:
the parapet may be solid and the merlons shown in relief on the outside (as at
Chittorgarh). What was unique is the arrangement and direction of loopholes.
Loopholes were made both in the merlons themselves, and under the crenels.
They could either look forward (to command distant approaches) or downward
(to command the foot of the wall). Sometimes a merion was pierced with two
or three loopholes, but more often, one loophole was divided into two or three
slits by horizontal or vertical partitions.The shape of loopholes, as well as the
shape of merlons, need not have been the same everywhere in the castle, as
shown by Kumbhalgarh
5.1 Forts:
Right from the dawn of civilization the human being had a feeling
protection for his own survival from the natural calamities, wild animals and
other vital human agencies etc. obviously , this feeling initiated the need of
shelter raising barrier etc. around their dwelling . This might have been an
earliest creation of human mind to consult the ramparts, fortification around
his residence. Towns of Pre-history and proto-history period are examples of
this gradually the construction of Ramparts forts, and fortification played
significant roles in building the history with there own evolution process. The
minute observations and scientific survey of the forts and fortification reveal
that certain regions attracted the builders to select the particular spot for raising
such monuments 3 factors may be discussed as follows
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1. Considering the composition of rock beds upon which the foundations of
the forts are layed.
2. The peninsula have escaped for one reason or another, the weathering of
the ages that had cut out all the surrounding parts of the land and are
elevated very high from the general surface level of the land.
3. Indian peninsula these multiple block and basin faulting have attained
isolatic- adjustment and hence its immunity from major earthquake
disturbances.
Some of the hills are surrounded by narrow gorges and slopy plateaus
which have also played important role in protection of forts.
5.2 Types of Forts:
The science of fort and fortification in medieval times was so advanced
that the Silpasastras mention at least 19 varieties of forts- with different
defensive schemes..
1.Giridurga Mountain fort 2.Jaladurga water fort
3.Dhanavana Durga- Desert fort 4.Vanadurga forest fort
5.Mahidurga Earth fort 6.Nrdurga man fort
Architecturallly the fortification is composed of 5 components elements
as propounded by the Silpasastras :-
1. The Vapra the built up artificial mound.
2. Parikha a moat with glacis
3. The Prakara or sala the fortification wall which is encircled by a
parikha.
4. The Attalakas The bastions provided along the prakaras
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5. The Entrance gates the gopura or the pratoli2
Forts of Tipu Sultan are the replica of the then social, cultural and
artistry that were predominant. The forts of Tipu Sultan have been remaining
as the artistic and architectural heritage of India. The artistic creations in the
monuments are the representation of the adept artisanship of the then artisans.
The depth and the depiction of objects, especially in terms of detail and the
rendering of solidity are remarkable.
The forts under Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan played two important roles.
Firstly they provided safety and security to the inhabitants and secondly they
formed a line of defence that protected the kingdom from foreign invasions.
Forts of Mysore Kingdom:
There were a number of forts in contemporary Mysore Kingdom. A
study of these reveals that there were various kinds of forts. They can be
broadly divided into two groups.
1 The Principal forts
2. The Lesser forts.3
The principal forts were situated at provincial head quarters and
strategically important places. The lesser forts were spread throughout the
kingdom.
The best example of these forts was the Bangalore fort, the Nandidurga
fort and the Srirangapatna fort respectively. But no specific references of forest
forts can be traced. For all practical purposes the fort like Savandurga was both
2 Sinha, N.K, Haider Ali(Calcutta, 1941,p.266. 3 Dirom A Narrative of the Campign in India which terminated with Tipu Sultan in 1792,
London, 1793, p. 265.
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a hill and forest fort. When both Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan were in zenith of
their power they possessed nearly 208 forts of all kinds. Tipu Sultan possessed
as many as 27 principal forts and 114 lesser forts in the year 1798. 4
He had lost 67 forts, in the third Anglo Mysore war to the British along
with a major portion of his territory. The only forts of consequence that
re
Seringapatam, Chittledroog, Bidenoor, Mangalore and few forts called
Jemaulghur, Kistnaghery and Sankeridurgam. 5
A survey was conducted in he year 1800 by the British government in
Mysore and it was assessed that Mysore contained thirty-one hill forts, ninety-
two common forts and also a few island forts,199 Srirangapatna capital being
an Island Fort.
The details of the forts in the divisions of Mysore were given as follows;
Bangalore 9 hill forts 20 common forts
Mahogiry 8 hill forts 12 common forts
Chitradurga 4 hill forts 9 common forts
Nagar(Bednur) and Shimoga 5 hill forts 21 common forts
Ashtagram (Srirangapatam) 2 hill forts 21 common forts
Munzerabad(Sakleshwar) 3 hill forts 9 common forts
Total 31 hill forts 92 common forts
4Ibid 5 Dr.Macleane-Madras Manual of Administration-pp-207
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List of Forts of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan:
While may forts were renovated and renamed in the region of mysore
when Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers of the region . some of them
are
NAME OF THE
FORT
YEAR RENAMED LOCATED STATE
Devanahalli Fort 1749 Devanahalli Karnataka
Dindigul Fort 1775 Dindigul Tamil
Nadu
Amburgarh Fort 1780 - Tamil
Nadu
Haidar Nagar Fort 1763 Nagar Bidnur Karnataka
Kundapur Fort 1779 Haidargarh Kundapur
Anaandapur
Hosanagai ghat
Karnataka
Chitradurga Fort 1763 - Karnataka
Mercara Fort 1763 Coorg Karnataka
Kabbardurga Fort 1774 Jagarabad - Karnataka
Madhugiri Fort 1763 Fathabad Tunkur
Karnataka
Mangalore
Karnataka
1761 Kodial Bunder Mangalore Karnataka
Bangalore Fort 1792 Delhi Gate Bangalore Karnataka
Channarayapattna
Fort
- Mysore Gate Channarayapattna Karnataka
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Nanadidurga Fort 1770 Chikballapur,
Bangalore
Karnataka
Belthangadi Fort 1785 Jamalabad Mangalore dist. Karnataka
Manzarabad Fort 1785 Manjarabad(deep
spot)
Sakaleshpur Karnataka
Nazarabad Fort Nazarabad Malavalli Karnataka
Chintamani Fort Rahmatgarh Chintamani Karnataka
Nizamgarh 1799 Sultan Garh Raichur Karnataka
Srirangapatna 1791 Mysore Karnataka
The aquatints of the forts depict an earthen fort of Tipu Sultan at Hosur,
Rayahotti fort, the Jagadevi Palaiyam fort, the Virbhadradu and the
Sankaridurg. The later three cornhills, and are built of dressed stone with
masonary work.
Map of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan Empire
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Location of forts:-
points of his kingdom.
Northern forts:- Bellary,Gutti, Bidanuru, Manjurabad, Rayadurga etc.
Coimbatore and west coast :- Palakkal, Bekal , Jamalabad,Madikeri,Mangalore
etc.
Mysore region:- Nandi, Sankaridurga fort, Srirangapatna, Rayatotti,
Savandurga, Madugiri, Chintamani , etc.
Eastern-region:-Amburu, Devanahalli, Gurramkonda, Jagadevipalaiyam,
Virbhadradurga fort, Hosur Earthen Fort etc. stand as good examples of the
military architecture.
Srirangapatanam:-
The Kaveri runs through the south of the taluq, from west to east,
forming several small islands near Belgola, and lower down the large one of
Srirangapatam. The Likapavani from the north, uniting with a stream from the
Moti Talab on the west, runs south into the Kaveri off the north-east of the
Srirangapatan island, under the Kaverighatta peak.(Rice., op. cit. p. 293.)
The River Cauvery provided a natural defence for Seringapatam in all
but the driest months of the year. Haidar had greatly strengthened the
fortifications of the island, inviting the advice and services of French military
officers for this purpose. It has long straight walls intercepted by the square
bastions and surrounded by deep moats of solid granite. To the north and east
rose a triple defence formidable ditches, while to the east and west, there lay a
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line of redoubts (since destroyed). Batteries were strategically situated on the
ramparts, and older magazines and an arsenal were constructed. 5 These
massive defenses endured for some forty years, and the names 'Lally's Bastion'
and 'French Rocks' survive today, as a reminder of Mysore's European allies.
Fort of Sriragapatna
Plan of Srirangapatna
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The Gateways: The walls of the Srirangapatna fort are provided with strong
bastions and gateways at regular intervals with provisions for garrisoning men
along the walls. The fort consist of Six gateways.
1.The Bangalore or the Ganjam Gate:
Ganjam Gate, Srirangapatna
It is connected the fort with the suburb of Srirangapatna that included the
Darya Daulat Palace as well as the Lal Bagh on the easternmost part of the
island, apart from the township. There were three fortification walls each
provided with a gateway. The gate of the outermost wall has not survived. The
only parts that remain are the ruined chambers that were originally on either
side of the entrance. The brick wall over the right chamber that originally
formed the upper part of this wall can still be seen. At a distance from here is
the gateway provided in the middle wall. Originally, it was flanked by the
projecting bastions which were meant to launch attack with canons. Now, only
the left bastion has survived. The gateway is very narrow. Scalloped arches
framed the inner and outer faces of the passage. These arches are topped by
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chajjas, above which rests the parapet, decorated with floral cresting. On either
side of the passage are chambers. The third gate way in the inner fortification
wall is not in alignment with the previous two.6
2. The Mysore Gate: It is situated on the southern side of the fort. During the
time of Tipu Sultan, the Mysore Gate was the main entrance on the southern
side.
3. The Elephant Gate:
Elephant Gate, Srirangapatna
It is also situated on the southern side of the fort. It is composed of five
barrel vaulted chambers with semi-circular arched entrances in which the
central chamber served as the passage whereas the others probably functioned
as the guard rooms.
6 Anupa Pandey and Savita Kumari, The Heritage of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, pp.72-74.
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184
4.The Water Gate:
Water Gate, Srirangapatna
It is situated on the northern side of the fort. It leads to the northern ghat
of the river Kaveri. The gateway is rectangular in plan and modest in scale. It
leads to a narrow covered passage that opens to the river front. Primarily, brick
is used in its construction. The lower part of the outer walls of the fort along
this gate way is of stone while the upper part of brick. The passage of this
gateways is of stone while the upper part is of brick. The passage of this
gateway is flanked by chambers meant for security guards. The gate way is
painted with white lime. Other gateways on the northern side, for example, the
Jibi Gate and the Delhi Gate, are smaller and simpler as compared to the Water
gate.7
7 Ibid.pp.74-81.
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185
5.The Jibi Gate:
It is at a short distance from the main Palace of the Tipu Sultan and is now in
ruins. This gate predates Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan and is constructed in post
and lintel system. The inhabitants of the place use the gate frequently even
today.
Jibi Gate, Srirangapatna
6. The Delhi Gate:
It is near the war memorial. The Delhi gate is composed of a semi-
demolished the bridge just before the fall of Srirangapatna in 1799.
Constructed in brick, it was from this gate that the English entered the fort with
the assistance of Mir Sadiq, the Prime Minister of Tipu.8
8 Swamy L.N., History of Srirangapatna, New Delhi, 1996.p.35.
Chapter - V
186
Delhi Gate, Srirangapatna
Within the fort, some of the important surviving defense structures are
Bastions in middle fortification wall, batteries, Rocke
in the northern rampart and Thomas Dungeon located at the northeast corner of
the fort. Tipus fort originally had 18 watch towers for surveillance. A deep
moat around the wall with crocodiles left free inside, made it almost impossible
for breach by the enemies. On the other hand, the double moats on the south
and east side were built as part of the military architecture. Though the moats
are dry now, during its functional days it was filled with water diverted from
Kaveri and also was crocodile infested, as means of defense.
. Moats of Srirangapatna fort
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187
The Bangalore Fort :
A district in the South east; situated between 12o 0
alatitude, 770 0
south, the distance between the extreme points being 85 miles. From east to
west it measures 60 miles.
Hyder Ali secured Bangalore as jagir in 1758 and he further strengthen
the fort by reconstructing with granite stones and enlarge it in 1761. Under
Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan the fort was reconstructed largely. The French
Engineers were engaged for the rebuilding the fort.
Plan of Bangalore Fort
At present, only a part of the Bangalore fort has survived. It consists of
three gateways. This surviving part of the fort can be approached through gate
one. Immediately before the gateway, on the left side, are a flight of stairs that
lead to the to of the rampart. This has batteries at two ends meant for placing
cannons. Steps from the rampart lead to the dungeons of the Bangalore fort.
This area is rectangular in plan and had three cells on its northern side. The
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third cells separated from the others by a portion wall on the western side that
has an arched opening. Above the door of the cell is an inscription, which says
that Sir David Baird and others were kept here prior to their release in March
1785.
This cell is below the ground level and is entered by a stair way forming
an L shape. The cell is rectangular in plan with a barrel-vaulted roof. Its walls
are sloping.
There is only one opening in the southern wall probably meant to supply
food to the prisoners. This cell is dark and suffocating as compared to the other
two. The first two cells adjacent to each other, are also rectangular in plan with
barrel vaulted roofs and iron gates on the south .
Gate 1, is rectangular in plan and has an outer and inner arched opening.
The gateway leads to an inner courtyard housing a Ganesha temple, probably
constructed at later stage. Flanking the passage of gate one are inter connected
rooms for the security guards. The interior of the left room is entered through a
secret door, very small in size. Particular mention should be made of the stucco
work that adorns the spandrels of the arched gateways. The original wooden
door with iron spikes has s survived. Gate 2 also has an arched opening. The
decoration is modest. It also has chambers located in the thickness of its wall.
Gate 2 leads to gate three which is now closed. It was the original gate that
allowed entrance to the interior of the court. The old wooden gate has survived.
It is pierced with many gates such as water- gate leading to the liver for
the palace people near the Gangadha reshwar temple within , Jibi or
Krishnagate near the Krishna temple within , three Bangalore gates in the
eastern wall, Delhigate. The fort was one of the most formidable in India.
Chapter - V
189
Hosur Earthen Fort:
-east of
Bangalore. The fort has now totally disappeared, and the glory of this fortified
place can be experienced by only through Danie
Bangalore, entirely rebuilt with strong masonry by Hyder and Tipu , is nearly
of oval form, with round towers at proper intervals and fine powerful cavaliers;
a faussebraye, a good ditch and covered way without palisades, and some well
finished place of arms, but the glacis imperfect in several places. There were
two gateways, one named the Mysore, the other the Delhi gate; the latter
opposite the town, overbuilt with the projection of traverses common to Indian
forts, the town of great extent to the north of the fort, was surrounded by an
indifferent herm, of near one hundred yards wide, planted with impenetrable
and well grown thorns; and this defense was only intermitted exactly opposite
fort, where there was a alight barrier and an esplanade.
The town had several gates protected by a sort of fleche at the end sortie
outside the ditch. The renovated Southern fort , which gave new dimensions to
Bangalore skyline, if accentuated
service of its designers, Ibrahim Khan, the Khilledar of Bangalore.
Palakkad fort:-
so as Pallakkad fort, stands in the center of
was constructed in 1766 AD and is today a protected monument under the
Archaeological Survey of India. The sober majesty of the laterite walls of the
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190
fort reminds one of the old tales of courage. The fort was built by Hyder Ali,
in his province supposedly to facilitate communication between both sides of
the Western Ghats (Coimbatore and the West Coast).
Palakkad fort
Jagadevi Palaiyam Fort:
forces on their military campaigns. The fort was built on a granite rock and
consisted of two forts connected by a rampart; one at the fort of the rock; and
the other on top of the rock. Rayakottai fort was indeed a massive structure. It
Chapter - V
191
is important to note that the rampart with strong bastions encircling the granite
rock, clearly shown in the Daniells work is now hardly traceable.9
Rayakottai Fort
Shankaridurga Fort
9 Singh.A.P - Forts and Fortification in India, Agam Kala Prakashan,Delhi , 1993.pp
20-72
Chapter - V
192
Devanahalli fort :
Bangalore, on the old Bangalore-Bellary road,( Rice., op.cit. p.65)
In the 1749 Mysore army under the leadership of Nanjaraj captured
Devanahalli fort. Hyder Ali took control of Devanahalli fort. Tippu Sultan was
born at Devanahalli. Hyder started to reconstruct and strengthen the fort.10
Devanahalli fort
Architecture of Devanahalli fort :-
The Devenehalli fort was built of stone by Haidar Ali and Tippu Sultan ,
is spread over an area of 20 acres (8ha). The roughly oval east oriented
fortification veneered with dressed masonary has as many as 12 semi-circular
bastions at regular intervals. A spacious battlement is provided towards the
inner side of the fortification. The fort has entrances decorated with cut plaster
work at the east and west. The entrances are quite small, comfortable enough
10
Sheikh Ali, Karnataka Charitre,Vol 5, Hampi, pp.509-512.
Chapter - V
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for the horses of yore. The bastions are provided with gun points built with
lime and brick.11
Nandi durga fort
View of Nandi hill from Nandi town at the base.
Dindigal Fort
Dindigal Fort
11
Krishna. M.G., A Guide to Nandi,1940.p.5
Chapter - V
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Etymology
Dindigul city derives its name from a portmanteau
of Thindu meaning pillow and kal meaning rock and referring to the rock.
History
In 1736 Chanda Sahib, the lieutenant of Arcot Nawab Seized power
from Vangaru Nayak, with the help of British. In 1742, the Mysore army under
the leadership of Venkatarayer conquered Dindigul. He governed Dindigul as a
representative of Maharaja of Mysore. There were Eighteen Palayams (a small
region consists of few villages) during his reign and all these palayams were
under Dindigul Semai with Dindiguls capital. These palayams wanted to be
independent and refused to pay taxes to venkatarayer.[1] In 1748, Venkatappa
was made governor of the region in place of Venkatarayer, who also failed. In
1755, Mysore Maharaja sent Haider Ali to Dindigul to handle the situation.
Later Haider Ali became the Maharaja of Mysore and in 1777, he appointed
Purshana Mirsaheb as governor of Dindigul. He strengthened the fort. His wife
Ameer-um-Nisha-Begam died during her delivery and her tomb is now called
Begambur. In 1783 British army, lead by captain long invaded Dindigul. In
1784, after an agreement between the Mysore province and British army,
Dindigul was restored by Mysore province. In 1788, Tipu Sultan, the Son of
Haider Ali, was crowned as King of Dindigul. 12
Hyder Ali, after taking over the Mysore throne in 1755, made several
additions and repairs. The fort played an important role in their campaigns. The
rock fort is 900 feet high and its circumference is around 2.75 km. Cannon and
gunfire artillery made its entry during the 17th century; hence the fort has
double walls to withstand heavy artillery. Cannons were installed at vantage
Chapter - V
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points around the fort (still there) with an arms and ammunition godown built
with modern safety measures. The double-walled room was fully protected
against external threat and was well ventilated. A thin brick wall in one corner
of the godown helped guards escape in case of emergency. The sloping ceiling
of the godown prevented seepage of rainwater. It has 48 rooms that were once
used as cells to lodge war prisoners and slaves, a spacious kitchen, a horse
stable and a meeting hall of the army commanders of Hyder Ali and Tipu
Sultan. The fort also has its own rainwater reservoirs constructed by taking
advantage of the steep gradient. The construction highlights the ingenuity of
Indian kings in their military architecture. Hyder Ali's family lived here in
1755 along with his wife and then five-year-old son Tipu. From 1784 to 1790,
the fort was under the rule of Tipu Sultan. His chief Commandant, Syed
Ibrahim, under whose care the fort was entrusted, constructed several
additional rooms, fortified the walls and repaired many parts. Hyder Ali had
also constructed a mosque beneath the fort for his soldiers. After Tipu Sultan
was defeated in the II Mysore War in 1790, the British took control of the fort.
In 1790, James Stewart of the British army gained control over Dindigul
by invading it in the second war of Mysore. In a pact made on 1792, Tipu
ceded Dindigul along with the fort to the English. Dindigul is the first region to
come under English rule in the Madurai District. In 1798, the British army
strengthened the hill fort with cannons and built sentinel rooms in every corner.
The British army, under statten stayed at Dindigul fort from 1798 to 1859.
After that Madurai was made headquarters of the British army and Dindigul
was attached to it as a taluk. Dindigul was under the rule of the British Until
India got our Independence on 15 August 1947.
Chapter - V
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The fort played a major role during the Polygar wars, between
the Palayakarars, Tipu Sultan duo aided by the French against the British,
during the last decades of the 18th century. The polygar of Virupachi, Gopal
Nayak commanded the Dindugal division of Polygars, and during the wars
aided the Sivaganga queen QueenVelu Nachiyar and her commanders Maruthu
Pandiyar Brothers to stay the fort after permission from Hyder Ali.
Architecture
The rock fort is 900 ft (270 m) tall and has a circumference of 2.75 km
(1.71 mi). Cannon and gunfire artillery were included in the fort during the
17th century. The fort was cemented with double walls to withstand heavy
artillery. Cannons were installed at vantage points around the fort with an arms
and ammunition godown built with safety measures. The double-walled room
was fully protected against external threat and was well ventilated. A thin brick
wall in one corner of the godown helped soldiers escape in case of emergency.
The sloping ceiling of the godown prevented seepage of rainwater. The fort has
48 rooms that were once used as cells to lodge war prisoners and slaves, a
spacious kitchen, a horse stable and a meeting hall for the army commanders.
The fort also has its own rainwater reservoirs constructed by taking advantage
of the steep gradient. The construction highlights the ingenuity of Indian kings
in their military architecture.
Jamalabad Fort
History
The fort was built by Tipu Sultan in 1794 and named after his mother,
Jamalabee. He decided to build a fort there, as he was impressed by the
Chapter - V
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massive granitic rock which was suitable for the construction of a strong fort.13
The fort was built over the ruins of an older structure.
The fort is inaccessible other than via a narrow path, with around 1876
steps to the fort that are cut out of the granite hill and lead all the way to the
top. This would mean that a small but well-armed group could indefinitely
block a much larger force from entering the fort.
Jamalabad Fort.
Inside the fort, there is only one tank to store water. Remains of a single
cannon lie at the top. Nothing much of the fortifications remain but hints of the
fort wall with parapets are visible. The fort was captured by the British in 1799
during the 4th Mysore war.
Chapter - V
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Manjarabad fort
Manjarabad fort
The Manjarabad fort is located just outside of Sakleshpur on National
Highway 48. The fort is reputed to have been constructed by Tippu Sultan, the
ruler of Mysoreas a strategic defensive location as it commands the approach to
the plateau beyond Sakleshpur from the coast.
Madhugiri Fort
Madhugiri is a Taluk headquarters in Tumkur district in Karnataka. The
town derives its name from a hillock, Madhu-giri (honey-hill) which is to the
north of the place.
At 3,930 ft (1,200 m) elevation, Madhugiri is a single hill. It is the
second largest monolith in Asia.[1] Nestled on its steep slopes is a fort.
Antaralada Bagilu, Diddibagilu, and Mysore Gate are the three gateways of the
Chapter - V
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fort. A series of doorways leads to the hill. The ruined temple of Gopalakrishna
is located at the top
Madhugiri Fort
Chitradurga Fort
North view of the hill of Chitradurga.
Chapter - V
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Chitradurga Fort or as the British called it Chitaldoorg, straddles several
hills and a peak overlooking a flat valley in the Chitradurga
District, Karnataka, India. The fort's name Chitrakaldurga, which means
'picturesque fort' in Kannada, is the namesake of the town Chitradurga and its
administrative district.
The Fort was built in stages between the 17th and 18th centuries by the
dynastic rulers of the region, including the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas and
Hoysalas as well as the Nayakas of Chitradurga, feudal lords in the
Vijayanagar Empire. The Nayakas of Chitradurga, or Palegar Nayakas, were
most responsible for the expansion of the fort between the 15th and 18th
centuries. They were defeated by Hyder Ali at Chitradurga in 1779. Later the
fort was expanded and strengthened by Hyder Ali and his son Tippu
Sultan,who succeeded Madakari Nayaka V, the last ruler of the Nayaka clan.
The fort is built in a series of seven concentric fortification walls with various
passages, a citadel, masjid, warehouses for grains and oil, water reservoirs and
ancient temples. There are 18 temples in the upper fort and one huge temple in
the lower fort. Among these temples the oldest and most interesting is the
It was during the reign of Madakari Nayaka V (1758 to 1779) that the
city of Chitradurga and the Fort were besieged by the troops of Hyder Ali.
Madakari Nayaka used the fort effectively for defense during three battles that
were fought against Hyder Ali.[1] At times he had allied himself with Hyder Ali
of Mysore Kingdomand at other times with the Marathas. Hyder Ali attacked
the Chitradurga Fort first time in 1760, the second time in 1770 and the third
time successfully in 1779 when he defeated Madakari Nayaka. Madakari
Nayaka was taken a prisoner and killed. Nayaka's gamble of playing with both
Chapter - V
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Hyder Ali and the Marathas did not work out. Subsequent to his death the
treasury at the fort is said to have yielded a rich bounty.
The dynastic reign of the Nayakas lasted for over 200 years and the
Chitradurga fort was their stronghold and the very heart of their province.
In the Fourth Mysore War, Tippu Sultan was killed by the British in
1799, and the Mysore Kingdom was reordered under the Wodeyars.
Chitradurga became a part of Mysore province. The British considered
Chitradurga Fort a potentially useful base for providing a strong line of defense
to Mysore's northern border. Between 1799 and 1809, the British garrisoned
their troops in the fort. Later, the control of the fort was restored to
the Government of Mysore.
Bellary Fort
It was built on top of a hill called the "Ballari Gudda" or the Fort Hill. It
is situated in the historic city of Bellary, in the Bellary district, in Karnataka
state, India. It was built in two parts namely, the Upper Fort and the Lower
Fort. The Upper Fort was built by Hanumappa Nayaka, a feudatory of
Vijayanagara Empire, but the Lower Fort was built by Hyder Ali in later part
of the 18th century. The Lower fort, located at the eastern base of the rock, is
about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) in diameter. It probably had an arsenal and barracks
in the past. The fort structure is encircled by ramparts with numerous bastions
surrounded by a deep ditch and glacis. The lower fort has two entrance gates;
one on the western end and the other on the eastern side. Just outside the
eastern gate of the lower fort is a temple dedicated to Hanuman the Kote
Anjaneya Temple (Kote fort in Kannada). A French engineer was the
architect and builder of the Lower Fort. He refurbished the Upper Fort also.
Chapter - V
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After the forts were completed, Haider Ali found that the forts built were at a
lower elevation vis-a-vis an opposite hill called the 'Kumbara Gudda'.
Nandi durga , a famous fortified hill in the Chikaballapur Taluq of the
Kolar District , 31 miles north of Bangalore. There is an extensive plateau at
the top sloping to the west. The fortifications whose ruins now surrounded the
summit were erected by Hyder Ali and Tippu sultan. 9There is a precipitous
cliff at thesouth west angle. The hill rises 1800 feet above the plain, and is
4,851 feet above the level of the sea. The present houses on the summit of the
hill were built about 1848; the hill was used until lately as a resort in the hot
season for European officials from Bangalore.12
5.3 Armory:
12
Hasan, Mohibbul, History of Tipu Sultan. Aakar Books. 2005. pp. 68 69
Chapter - V
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The second half of the eighteenth century was a period of great
confusion in Indian history which witnessed the rise of a colonial power. The
only state which offered stiff resistance to their expansion was Mysore, which
fought not one but four wars. Tipu participated in all those four Mysore wars,
starts in the midst of a war against the English and ends in the midst of war
against them. His short but stormy rule was eventful for his several
engagements with his neighbours, the Marathas and the Nizam, as well, whose
shortsighted policy prompted them to join the colonials against Mysore. Tipu
remained fully involved in warfare from his youth until his fall in the fourth
Mysore war. From 1760 when Haidar Ali allied himself with the French
against the English to 1799 when Wellesly destroyed Tipu, Mysore had
Company. These forty years of Tipu both as a prince and a ruler witnessed
continuous warfare
Chapter - V
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World famous Armoury in utter state of neglect, in Bangalore and is
out of public sight.In these Armoury, were stocked huge quantities
of amunition, gun powder, muskets, rockets and 6-12 pound missiles that
inflicted heavy losses on the British Army.
5.4 Dungeons:
This used to be a hidden prison inside the Srirangapatna fort. This secret
cellar was discovered by an engineer called Thomas Inman in 1895, that is
about 100 years after the fall of the fort. That shows of the cleaver and discreet
design of the dungeon. Even today you will find it difficult located this till you
reach the signpost and the entrance to this sub-terrain dungeon.
Chapter - V
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ures about
45 feet in length and 32 feet in width with many arches built in brick and
mortar.
According to some accounts, these were used to hold war prisoners.
Most likely these were dualed as ammunition depots also. Its design and
proximity to the strategic bastions confirms this.
stands a large rectangular bastion the overlooks the river and the Bangalore-
Mysore highway.
Chapter - V
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Interior of Dungeon, Srirangapatna
5.5 Battery:
Sultan Battery (Mangalore)
The Sultan Battery watch tower, constructed in 1784 by Tipu Sultan, is
situated in Boloor, 4 km from Mangalore city, the Chief port city in the state of
Karnataka, India.
History
This place is known for the watch tower constructed in the era of the
emperor Tipu Sultan. The watch tower was constructed 15 years before his
death in 1784 A.D. The place was previously known as Sultan's Battery, the
Chapter - V
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word Battery meaning firing of canons. It was constructed from stones of
churches destroyed by Tipu Sultan, during his 15-year imprisonment of the
Mangalorean Catholics and the other Christians.
Sultan Battery
The place built of black stones was constructed to obstruct war ships
from entering the river which was the major route for English invasion but was
then retrieved from English by Tipu Sultan. Though the place holds the watch
tower, it looks much like a fort with mounting places for canyons. There is an
underground storage area under the tower which was used to store gunpowder.
This reminds us of the significance the place held as it was the major dockyard
and arsenal of the ruler. It was also a naval station and this place was of great
importance to the ruler as he used it to intercept enemy warships from docking.
Chapter - V
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If one climbs to the top of the watch tower by stairs, he can get a
panoramic view of Arabian Sea which leaves the nature lovers in boundless
joy. This place is a blend of natural and manmade beauty. It is now a deserted
place but is gathering popularity among tourists because of the invading eternal
bliss of the nature.
5.6 Secret Passages
Sankagiri Fort is a historical fort is located 22 km from the city
of Erodeand 38 km from Salem.
Sankagiri Fort was built in the 15th century by the Vijayanagar empire.
It has 14 fort walls built on and around a hill and the last phase these walls
were built by the British. The fort served as a British tax storage facility
for Kongu Nadu, a region comprising the districts
of Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Namakkal, Karur and Dindigul.
It was an important military base for Tippu Sultan and later for the
British army. This is because only one side of the hill is climbable, as all the
others are too steep to climb. In Sankagiri, the king Tipu Sultan has constructed
a secret underground passage to Mysore city in the 18th century This has a
death well, granary, two oil godowns, one explosives godown, two masjids, 2
Chenna Kesava Perumal temples, former British Army administrative
buildings, and cemeteries formerly used by armies that were stationed at the
fort.13
13
Bhat, N. Shyam (1998). South Kanara, 1799 1860: a study in colonial administration and regional response. Mittal Publications. p. 81.
Chapter - V
209
Encampment
The introduction lays special stress on the proper selection on the proper
selection of that site for encampment of the lashkar-i-
It stipulates that advantage should be taken, whenever possible, of rivers,
streams, shrubs, rice-fields, hills ,and thickest, which should be kept on the
side, and, after leaving an open space in the centre, soldiers should be
encamped on the other side. In between the soldiers and the central court
should be located the camp followers, goods and chattle. The tents were to be
pitched in such a manner as to avoid the wind so that the army might not be
troubled with wind and dust. One should take into consideration the direction
of the wind in the course of fighting, the best plan being to fight in the
direction of the wind and not to oppose it.
1. This table contains a rectangular plan of encampment with an entrance in
front only. Guns are located at all four corners and at the entrance. Two
tents in front and one on each of the three sides seem to be meant for
officers. The central position is occupied by the bargah-i-mualla,
elsewhere mentioned as bargah-i-
is surrounded on three sides by two rows tents, one of the inner guard
and other of the outer guard. In front of the bargah-i- mualla is the
secretarial office and a little further are two rows of tents for the advance
guard at the foot of which are the stables. Still further and exacty
opposite the bargah-i- -khana or the place where the
drums were beaten at stated intervals, and there are two rows of shops.
To the right of the naqqar-kahnah is thw place for the chief standard.
Finaly all these are surroundedby the tents of the soldiery.
Chapter - V
210
Plate - 1
Chapter - V
211
2. The second table has a river bends as the base on one asde and the
semi-circular bend.
Plate - 2
Chapter - V
212
3. The third table has many features in common with the first table, with
the difference that there are four entrances instead of one, and guns are
placed close to one another and not only on corners. Moreover, there are
shops not only in front but at the back of the bargah-i-mualla. Stables for
camels and elephants are located at the back of the bargah-i-mu;alla.
Plate - 3
Chapter - V
213
4. The fourth table the bargah-i-mualla is protected by only one row of
guards which is locae at a distance of forty yards. The tents of the
bargah-i-mualla , the two sides on the right and left of it are not utilized
for the purpose.
Plate - 4
Chapter - V
214
5. The fifth table follows the pattern of the fourth, except that the tents
both in front and the back are arranged in perpendicular rows and not
horizontally.
Plate - 5
Chapter - V
215
6. The sixth table visualizes encampmen by the side of a river and the camp
is arranged parallel to it, there being a single row of tents in front and
another at the back of the bargah-i-mualla. The main feature of the
seventh and the last table is that the tents are arranged mainly in two
rows on the right and leftof the bargah-i- khass.
Plate - 6
Chapter - V
216
7. The seven tables throw interesting aspect of organization of Tipu
14
Plate - 7
14
1rfan Habib --Resistence and Modernization under Ali And Tipu Sultan--- Tulika pub, Indian History congress 1999.pp-185-186.