Konda Reddy Fort

15°50′1.46″N 78°2′55.04″E / 15.8337389°N 78.0486222°E / 15.8337389; 78.0486222TypeFortSite informationOpen to
the publicYesConditionRuinsSite historyBuilt12th centuryBuilt byDevaraya II and AchyutarayaIn usestoneMaterialsStone and mud

Konda Reddy Fort,^[1][2][3] also known as Kondareddy Buruju^[2] is a fort situated in the city of Kurnool^[4] in Andhra Pradesh, India. At a distance of 2 km from Kurnool Railway Station, 2.9 km from Kurnool New Bus Stand and 24 km from Alampur, Konda Reddy fort is an imposing structure situated in the heart of Kurnool City. The monument, a semi-circular bastion crowned with a tower, is the only extant remains of an old fortification around the city.

History

The construction of the fort dates back to the 12th century when the city of Kurnool was used as a base on Tungabhadra river crossing. Kurnool was occupied by Vijayanagara ruler Devaraya II and Achyutaraya who succeeded Krishnadevaraya built the initial fort between 1530 and 1542.

The fort has different gateways and bastions. The gateways of the fort were constructed by Gopala Raja, the grandson of Rama Raja of Talikota Vijayanagara kings in the 17th century.

The fort is named after Konda Reddy, the last ruler of Alampur who was imprisoned in the fort by the Kurnool Nawab in the 17th century. Locals and legend state that Konda Reddy was under attack, and used the tunnels that the fort housed to escape. Konda Reddy eventually escaped from the fort, but had to lose his territory to Golconda Nawabs. The tunnels are now locked and closed off from the public, but the fort is open to touring. The citadel has been restored in recent years and is quite Popular with couples and the younger residents of the city.^[3]

Description

The fort has three levels and it was used as watch tower in 17th and 18th centuries. The ground level is closed for visitors, while the visitors can climb to the first and second floors and get a glimpse of the history. First level has few enclosures with large portico. Second-level houses a large tower used for observation.

References