An architectural marvel with a hoary past

The 14th century Devarakonda fort in Nalgonda district is sure to take visitors’ breath away. There was a lake which contained water round the year, but that has not been in use for centuries.

A view of Deverakonda Fort in Nalgonda district. Photo:Singam Venkataramana

The three-hour drive from Hyderabad is sure to give tourists a glimpse of the hoary history of the 14 century Devarakonda fort in Nalgonda district.

In close vicinity of Devarakonda town, a nagarapanchayat, the fort showcases how the adjacent hills were used to the optimum for construction of the boundary walls to protect it from invasion. The boundary wall and other monuments on the hill reflect the architectural brilliance of the then engineers of Devarakonda as they still remain intact unlike other forts in Telangana despite lacking any maintenance.

Founder of the Rachakonda fort, Recherla Singma Bhoopala Nayaka's younger son Maada Naidu was the first ruler of the Devarakonda kingdom while his elder brother Anapotha Nayaka ruled Rachakonda after the death of their father. Historians believe that Singama Bhoopala Nayaka had started the construction of Devarakonda fort, but majority of work was completed by Maada Naidu during the 13th and 14th centuries.

The official website of Telangana Tourism (www.telanganatourism.gov.in) says, “A visit to the Devarakonda fort is like stepping into a historical trance with every corner unveils the great tales of bravery, struggle and the triumph of its rulers.” Further, it says on the premises of the fort stand the Rama and Siva temples constructed by Maada Naidu, which add a hint of spirituality and purity to the untouched beauty. The picturesque view of the little pond is a treat for tourists.

As Devarakonda was surrounded by seven hills, the rulers had used the rocks quarried from these hills to build the fort. The visitors can see the more than 700-year-old quarries on these hills. Locals offer prayers at the temples of Lord Rama and Siva on the auspicious Ekadasi and Sivaratri festivals when a huge number of people from surrounding areas climb the hill.

There was a lake which contained water round the year, but that has not been in use for centuries. Historians believe that the fountain on the hilltop was used for fetching water for then rulers needs while a well in the middle of the fort was dug exclusively for drinking purpose.

The carved symbol of Purna Kumbha, the State symbol of undivided Andhra Pradesh, was also found on the fort.