Belgaum Fort, is located in the city of Belgaum,
in the Belgaum district, in Karnataka state, India. It was built 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 different dynastic
rulers of the region. The fort, built with fine ramparts and a large moat, has a rich history
with several historical and religious monuments dated to the Adil Shahi dynasty.
It is also
notable in modern history because Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned by the British
in this fort during India’s freedom struggle.
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 emperors, Bijapur Sultans
or Bahmanis, Marathas (Shivaji and Peshwas), and finally by the British in that
order. Prior to Rattas, Shatavahanas, Chalukyas and Kadambas from Goa have also
ruled over the region. 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 Devagiri and they
briefly controlled the fort. At the turn of the 14th century, the Khiljis of
Delhi invaded the region and succeeded in ruining both the indigenous powers of
the region, the Yadava and the Hoysalas 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.
In 1474 AD, the Bahmani Sultanate, then ruling
from Bidar, captured the fort of Belgaum under the leadership of Mahamood
Gawan. Thereafter, in 1518 AD, the Bahamani Sultanate split up into five small
states, and Belgaum became part of the Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur. The
Ismail Adil Shah of Adilshahi dynasty reinforced the fort with the help of Asad
Khan Lari (a Persian from the province of Lar) and much of the existing structures
dates from 1519 AD.
In Belgaum, the rule of Adilshahs' began in the
times of Ismail Adil Shah. As Asad Khan Lari, who was a Persian from the
province of Lar, assisted Ismail in the battle for the fort, was conferred with
Belgaum as his jagir in 1511 AD (in 1519 AD, Asad Khan completed the Masjid
Safa in the Belgaum fort).
In 1686, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb defeated
the 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 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, and 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. As a reward,
the British allowed Desai to rule over the Belgaum town and the fort.
Best time to
Visit:
September to April
What to see?
Bastian, Fortification, Water cisterns, Ganesha &
goddess Durga Temple, Two Jain temples inside the fort in Kamal Basti.
Water and Food
Water is available inside fort but no food. Food available outside fort.
Stay /
Accommodation
No place to stay on the Fort. Once can stay in Belgaum
city.
For more photos see link below
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| Belgaum Fort |
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| Belgaum Fort |
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| Belgaum Fort |
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| Belgaum Fort |
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| Belgaum Fort |
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| Belgaum Fort |
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| Belgaum Fort |
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| Belgaum Fort |
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| Belgaum Fort |
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| Belgaum Fort |
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Belgaum Fort
For more photos see link below
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