Written by mpmurthyನವೆಂಬರ್ 1, 2012ಜನವರಿ 17, 2021

Devanahalli Fort

Introduction
Mention Devanahalli and everyone thinks ‘International Airport’. But Devanahalli is also associated with Indian history and Tippu Sultan, and it was his birth place. This town is quite a heritage hotspot, with a history stretching back several hundred years even before Tipu.The town lies just off the national highway, about 10 km beyond the airport exit.
After entering the City Look for a board guiding you to the Tippus Birth Place on your left side when you are coming from Bangalore. take that road to reach Tippu birth place and the Fort.

History

Exterior of the fortThe history of Devanahalli dates back to 15th century, when a family of fleeing refugees from Conjeevaram (modern day Kanchi), camped near the foot of Ramaswami betta, east of Nandi Hills. Their leader Rana Baire Gowda was apparently directed in a dream to set up a settlement in this region. He and his Morasu Wokkalu family settled in a small village, Ahuti, which was later known as Avati. His son Malla Baire Gowda founded Devanahalli, Chikka-ballapura and Dodda-ballapura.Kempegowda, the founder of Bangalore city is also from Morasu Wokkalu family.
Devanahalli was part of Gangawadi and later came under the rule of Rashatrakutas, Nolamba, Pallavas, Cholas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara rulers. During the time of Vijayanagra rule, Malla Baire constructed the initial mud fort in 1501 AD with the consent of Devaraya at Devanadoddi, the previous name of Devanahalli. In 1747 AD, the fort passed into the hands of the Wodeyars of Mysore under the command of Nanja Raja. It was conquered many times from the Marathas and later came under the control of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan.

View of the Entrance from Inside the Fort

Tipu also renamed it as Yousafabad which never got popular.The fort finally fell into the British, under Lord Cornwallis in 1791, during the Mysore War.

Archaeological Survey of India’s declaration :

The entrance of the Fort

Word of Caution :

Even though photography is allowed, you need to Take approval to use TRIPOD from the department , I heard you can take approval from the

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DEPT.

5TH FLOOR, F WING, KENDRIYA SADAN
17TH MAIN ROAD, KORAMANGALA
BANGALORE 560034

The fort stretches over an area of 20 acres.

For better view of this image click here ‘

http://www.dermandar.com/p/bqLVpp/a-view-inside-devanahallo-fort

Fortification towards east has 12 semicircular bastions and they are placed at regular intervals. Each of the semi-circular bastions has a cabin at its two ends.

periphery and each of them have cannon gun points.

a cannon gun point

The walls of the fort were made out of ‘surkhi’ – a mixture of lime and coarsely powdered bricks.

BOARD 2 — The walls of the fort were made out of ‘surkhi’ – a mixture of lime and coarsely powdered bricks. …

This rectangular structure was perhaps used to store ammunition.

A tourist taking images of the description

bOARD 1 — Board giving description of the Fort

some other views of the fort

TEMPLE : Venu Gopalaswamy Temple
The gopura of the ancient Venugopalaswamy Temple situated within the fort premises. The temple was built way back in the 16th century.