Vizianagaram fort
 Vizianagaram fort walls | |
 .svg.png){kind=icon} Shown within India | |
| Alternate name | Pusapati fort |
|---|---|
| Location | Vizianagaram, Vizianagram district, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Coordinates | 18°06′39″N 83°24′38″E / 18.11083°N 83.41056°ECoordinates: 18°06′39″N 83°24′38″E / 18.11083°N 83.41056°E |
| Type | Fortification |
| Length | 240 feet (73 m) |
| Width | 240 feet (73 m) |
| Height | 20 feet (6.1 m) |
| History | |
| Founded | 1713 |
| Abandoned | Occupied |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | Rajas of Vizianagaram |
Vizianagaram fort is an early 18th century (1713 AD) fort in the city of Vizianagaram, Vizianagaram district, North Eastern Andhra Pradesh, South India. It was built by Vijaya Rama Raju, the Raja of Vizianagaram. The formal ceremony, while laying the foundation for the fort, was very auspicious as it represented five signs of victory. The fort, which is square in shape, has two main gates of which the main entry gate with elaborate architectural features is called the "Nagar khana". There are many temples and palaces within the fort and a victory tower.
Location
The fort is situated in Vizianagaram (meaning: "the city of victory") about 18 kilometres (11 mi) away from the Bay of Bengal. It is 40 kilometres (25 mi) to the northwest of Visakhapatnam.[1][2]
History
The Vizianagaram fort was built in 1713 [3] at a location where five Vijayas or signs of victory were stated to be present. It is named after its founder Vijaya Rama Raju, also known as Ananda Raju I (1671–1717), the Raja of Vizinagaram.[1][4][3] The site for the fort was suggested to the rajas by a Muslim saint, Mahabub Valli, who was doing penance in that forest.[5] The auspicious date chosen for the foundation laying ceremony corresponded, according to the Hindu calendar, to the year known as Vijaya on the tenth day of the Vijaya Dasami when the Dassara Festival is generally held in the country. It was also a Tuesday, which in the Telugu language means Jayavaram (victory day).[1]
Features
The fort built of stone is 240 metres (790 ft) square and rises to a height of 10 metres (33 ft). The width of the wall at the top varies from 8–16 metres (26–52 ft). The four corners of the fort have fortifications in the form of bastions made of stones with a slope on its inner face covered with earth fill and strengthened with stone slabs. There are two gates of entry into the fort. The fort entry from the east is the main gate called the "Nagar khana", which has elegant architectural designs. Prior to building the main gate of Nagar khana, there was a victory arch at the entrance. The west facing gate is of smaller size but with same architectural features as the main gate.[2] A moat surrounded the fort.[4]
Apart from the two main gates, there are several temples and monuments located within the fort. Two important temples are the Hanuman temple, and the Lakshmi temple known as the “Kota Shakto”, which is the guardian deity of the fort. Rajas offered prayers at Lakshmi temple before proceeding on any war campaign. Important monuments are palaces such as the Motimahal, Oudh Khana, Alakananda Palace, Korukonda Palace, and just outside the victory tower called the Ghanta Stambham (Clock Tower).[4] Two other important historical monuments outside the fort but within the city limits are the Moddukovillu temple and the Perla Home.[4]
Gates
The two main gates of the fort are architecturally elegant built in Rajasthani style of architecture. The east main gate is called the Nagaar khana as it has a drum tower at the top which was used to beat drums to inform the people of royal orders and arrival of royal guests.[4]
The west gate is the rear entrance to the Vizianagaram fort. This gateway is also built in Rajasthani style with a pavilion on top. This gate provides access to the royal tombs, and is a traditional gateway to take out dead bodies for cremation. In place of a moat which existed in the past, there is now a well turned park extending to the west gate.[4]
Motimahal
The Moti Mahal is the royal court or the Durbar hall which was built by Vijayarama Raju-III in 1869. At the entry to this hall there are two marble statues. This prominent monument of the past glory, donated to the "MANSAS Trust" by Dr. P.V.G. Raju, is now functioning as a college for women on its first floor. It also houses a museum which has artifacts of the past kings who ruled from the fort.[4]
Oudh Khana
The Oudh Khana is the opulent royal palace of the Rajas of Vizianagaram. A unique part of this palace is an exclusive bath room of the Rajas, which is an octagonal stone structure that adjoins the Phool Bagh Palace. The structure is 50 feet (15 m) in height built with stones and has a spiral stairway which leads to the water tank at the top that is fed by pumping water from a nearby well.[4]
Alakananda Palace
The Alaknanda Palace was built as a royal guest house. It was constructed in a plush style for the royal guests. It is set within a well laid out garden with walkways. Within the grounds of this palace an air strip has been built in recent years for use of the royalty. This palace, however. now houses the 5th Battalion of the Andhra Pradesh Armed Reserve Police.[4]
Korukonda Palace
Nearer to the Alakananda Palace is the Korukonda Palace. The land around this palace, which is about 1,000 acres (400 ha) is not only used as playgrounds but has well tended gardens. Educational institutions have been established in this land and there a school to train youth who wish to join the Defense forces.[4]
Ganta Stambham
Ganta Stambham is the Clock Tower patterned on the lines of the Big Ben in London. The rajas of Vizianagaram who used to frequent London during the British Raj built it. It is located just outside the limits of the fort within the heart of the city. The tower constructed in 1885 to a height of 68 feet (21 m) is in an octagonal shape built with sandstone. It was painted white at the top in the past but is now painted in cream and red.[4]
Other structures
Outside the limits of the fort there is an ancient temple dedicated to goddess Pydithalli Ammavaru which is held in great reverence by the people of the town It is believed that this deity is the reincarnated form of a daughter of the royal family. The idol of the Goddess worshipped in this temple was found on Vijayadashami day in 1752. This day is marked by an annual celebration on 21st and 22nd October as a "jatra" or "religious fair". The temple has a Shiva linga in two colours, which is said to exemplify the union of Shiva and Parvati.[4]
Perla Home, also known as the "Perla Vari", constructed in 1895, is said to be one of a very well maintained monument in the city. The first building to get electricity connection in the region, it had a bedroom fitted with bedsteads made of silver. A library, which was part of this building, is still functional. The elegant European furniture and the chandeliers of past glory are on display with other artifacts.[4]
References
- 1 2 3 "Visiting Places: Vizianagaram". Kendriya Vidyalaya Voziangaram, Government of India. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- 1 2 "Characterization Of Built Heritages in a Second Order City In Andhra Pradesh, India". European Scientific Journal January 2015. January 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- 1 2 (India) 2000, p. 441.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Vizianagaram Fort". national Informatics Centre, Vijayanagaram. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- ↑ General 1961, p. 159.
Bibliography
- General, India Office of the Registrar (1961). Census of India, 1961: Andhra Pradesh. Manager of Publications.
- Andhra Pradesh (India) (2000). Andhra Pradesh District Gazetteers: Vizianagram. Director of Print. and Stationery at the Government Secretariat Press; [copies can be from: Government Publication Bureau, Andhra Pradesh].
External links
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