History

Bold rock hills and picturesque valleys. Huge towering boulders in unimaginable shapes. That is Chitradurga for you. This place is not known as the "Place of stone fort" (Kallina Kote) for nothing. The landscape looks much like a mischievous giant's playground - with boulders thrown around, forming awesome silhouettes against he sky. And that could be true! According to a story in the Epic Mahabharatha, a man-eating gaint named Hidimbasura did line here on the Chitradurga hill - a source of terror to everyone around. And then Pandavas came here with their mother Kunti in the course of their exile and Bhima had a duel with Hidimba. Hidimba was slain by Bhima and peace returned to the area. These amazing boulders could well be part of the arsenal used during that duel! Seriously though, these boulders and the major part of the city rests on belong to the oldest rock formation in the country.

The former military personnel, Timmana Nayaka rose to the rank of Governor of Chitradurga as a reward for his excellence in military achievements, from the Vijayanagara ruler. His son Obana is known by the name Madhakari Nayaka. Madakari Nayaka's son Kasturi Rangappa succeeded him and consolidate the kingdom to rule peacefully . As he had no heirs to succeed him, his adopted son - the apparent heir was enthroned but got killed in few months by the Dalavayis.

Chikkanna Nayaka, the brother of Madakari Nayaka II sat on the throne in 1676, and his another brother succeeded him with the title Madakari Nayaka-III. The unwillingness of Dalawayis to accept Madakari Nayaka-III's rule gave an opportunity to one of the distant relation Bharamappa Nayaka to ascend the throne in 1689. Somehow, the subjects of Chitradurga did not experience a good reign of their rulers as they lived on the throne for very brief period. The Hiri Madakari Nayaka (1721 - 1748), Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka-II, Madakari Nayaka-IV succeeded one after him and there is nothing to mention of their rule.

During the reign of Madakari Nayaka, the city of Chitradurga was besieged by the troops of Hyder Ali. A chance sighting of a woman entering the Chitradurga fort through a crack hole in the rocks led to a clever plan by Hyder Ali to send his soldiers through the crack hole. The defence guard on duty of the port near that crack hole had just gone home as usual asking his wife to guard till he is back from his lunch. The wife of that guard, Obavva while in her temporary seat, noticed the soldiers emerging out of this crack, Obavva was not perturbed. As she was carrying with her, the Onake (a wooden long club meant for pounding paddy grains) she killed and quietly moved the dead, so that hundreds of them entered and fell, without raising any suspicion. The guard, Obavva's husband, upon his return from his lunch was shocked to see Obavva standing with a blood stained Onake and hundreds of dead bodies of the enemy fleet around her. The passage still remains as a historical witness for the story, beside the Tanniru DoNi -a small water source which holds cold water all round the year. Though her sincere brave attempt saved the fort this time, Madakari could not resist the attack of 1799 by Hyder Ali. The fort of Chitradurga was lost for Hyder Ali once for all.

The place is renowned for its Kallina Kote ("the place of the stone fort"), and is home to the "Fort of Seven Rounds", built with large stones.

The Chandravalli Caves are also a very popular tourist site at this historic place.

The stone masonary that the fort of Chitradurga is representative of one of the most daring woman of Karnataka - "Obavva."

The Fort of seven rounds

The Historic Fort is a marvel of military architecture that made it impregnable by the Nayak PaLayagars. It has 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, a palace, a mosque, granaries, oil pits, four secret entrances and water tanks. Amidst rocky surroundings inside the fort complex on the hill are many temples. It is on a hilltop with a good view of the surrounding plains.

Obavva

During the rein of Madakari Naayaka, the city was besieged by the troops of Haider Ali. A chance sighting of a woman entering the fort through a crack in the rocks led to a clever plan by Hyder Ali to send his soldiers through the crack. The gaurd on duty had just gone home for his lunch break and his wife Obavva was his temperory replacement. Noticing the soldiers emerging out of this crack, Obavva was not perturbed. Using the Onake (wooden stick used for pounding grain) she killed and quietly moved the dead, so that hundreads of them entered and fell, without raising any suspicion. The guard, Obavva's husband almost had a heart attack, when he returned from his lunch break. His wife was standing there with a blood stained Onake and strewn around her were the bodies of soldiers.

Culture under Palayagaaras

Known for their valour, Chitradurga's Nayaka Palyagaaras were also patrons of great musicians. Writer Ta.Ra.Su (T.R. Subba Rao) has not only researched extensively in the area, but has brought to life several characters who lived in those times in the forted city. Several films (notably Nagara Haavu and Hamsa Geete' have brought to life the glory of this fort).

Geography of the fort

Accessible by road, this fortress lies on the outskirts of what is Chitradurga today. The nearest railhead is Davanagere (known for its cotton mills) on the Bangalore/Mysore - Arasikere route.