Chandragiri Fort, Andhra Pradesh

2021-07-21T16:14:01Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name = Chandragiri Fort
|native_name =
|partof = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
|location = [[Chandragiri]], [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]
|image = Chandragiri Fort - Raja Mahal (2).jpg
|caption = Raja Mahal of Chandragiri Fort
|map_type = India Andhra Pradesh#India
|map_size = 280
|map_caption =
|type = [[Fort]]
|coordinates= {{Coord|13|34|57|N|79|18|20|E|display=title}}
|code =
|built = 11th century
|builder = Yadava rulers of [[Vijayanagara Kingdom]]
|materials = [[Granite]] [[rock (geology)|Stones]] and [[lime mortar]]
|height =
|used =
|demolished =
|condition = [[Ruins]]
|open_to_public =
|controlledby = [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]]
|garrison =
|current_commander =
|commanders =
|occupants =
|battles = Yadava rulers, [[Reddy dynasty]]
|events =
}}
'''Chandragiri Fort''' is a historical [[fort]], built in the 11th century located in [[Chandragiri]], [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]. Although mostly associated with the [[Vijayanagara Emperors]], it was built much earlier in 11th century by the Yadava rulers. In 1460.A.D. Odra Gajapati Kapilendra Dev Captured the Chandragiri Fort.

==History==
Chandragiri was under the rule of royals for about three centuries and came under the control of the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagarayadava]] rulers in 1367. It came into prominence during 1560s during the reign of [[Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya]]. Later, the most famous [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara]] emperor Srikrishna Devaraya, was kept in this fort as a prince, till his coronation at Penukonda. It is also said that he met his future queen Chinna Devi at this fort. Chandragiri was the 4th capital of [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara]] Empire,<ref name=cycle>{{cite news|title=Day-trip down history lane|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|work=Metro Plus|date=16 April 2018|last=Moulana|first=Ramanujar|page=4|location=Chennai}}</ref> Rayas shifted their capital to here when the Golconda sultans attacked Penukonda. In 1646 the fort was annexed to the [[Golkonda]] territory and subsequently came under [[Kingdom of Mysore]] rule. It went into oblivion from 1792 onward.<ref name=asi>{{cite web|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |title=Raja and Rani Mahal, Chandragiri Fort |year=2008 |url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_ap_chandagiri.asp |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5bDJPki1l?url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_ap_chandagiri.asp |archive-date=2008-09-30 |access-date=30 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Raja Mahal Palace is now an archaeological museum. The palace is an example of [[Indo-Saracenic|Indo-Sarcen]] architecture of [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara]] period. The crowning towers represents the Hindu architectural elements. The palace was constructed using stone, brick, lime mortar and devoid of timber.<ref name=asi/>
Some of important kavyas or epic poems are written in this fort under the patronage of Vijayanagara kings. Inside the fort are eight temples, Raja Mahal, Rani Mahal and other ruined structures.<ref name=asi/>
Inside the fort are Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal which are quite well maintained for more than 300 years and Raja Mahal is converted as Archeological Museum by Arechological Survey of India. The museum holds models of fort, main temple and other structures of surrounding area.<ref name=toi/> Both of these building were constructed without using wood and only lime, brick and morter was used. Rani Mahal has flat roof and at base level it has stable and epigraphical evidence says that this building was also used as commanders quarters.<ref name=asi/>

The fort is the place where the pact of granting lands for [[Fort St. George, India|Fort St. George]] to the [[British Colonial Empire|British]] was signed by Vijayanagara King Sri Rangaraya during August 1639.<ref name=cycle/><ref name=asi/>

==Vyasathirtha==
Sage [[Vyasatirtha]] used to reside here and was a spiritual advisor to King Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya and he was entrusted with worship at Tirumala temple. Vyasathirtha remained in Chandragiri in the court of Narasimha Raya II. The fort is at a distance of 11 km from the famous [[Tirupati Temple]] and there is a foot path to temple from this fort, which is the reason the sage resided here.<ref name=tem>{{cite web|publisher=templesof india |title=Chandragiri fort|year=2000 |url=https://templesinindiainfo.com/chandragiri-fort/|access-date= 5 December 2019}}</ref>

==Srivari Mettu==
The famous Srivari Mettu, one of the well known walking pathis to Thirumala Venkateshwara Temple starts from this fort and it was originally used by Royal family of Vijayanagara Kingdom, which over the years is allowed to be used to public.<ref name="toi">{{cite news |last1=Shankar |first1=Anuradha |title=CHANDRAGIRI FORT |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/Chandragiri-Fort/ps47148174.cms |accessdate=5 December 2019 |agency=Times of India |publisher=Times of India India times |date=1 January 2019}}</ref>
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
A wall of the fort on the steep hill.JPG|A wall of the fort on the steep hill
File:RANI MAHAL CHANDRAGIRI FORT AP - panoramio.jpg| Rani Mahal, Chandragiri fort
File:Rani mahal chandragiri fort AP - panoramio.jpg|Raja Mahal
</gallery>

==References==
{{commons category|Chandragiri Fort, Andhra Pradesh}}
{{reflist}}

{{Tirupati topics}}
{{Forts in Andhra Pradesh}}
{{Forts in India}}

[[Category:Forts in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Chittoor district]]
[[Category:Vijayanagara Empire]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:11th-century establishments in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 11th century]]
[[Category:Monuments of national importance in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Palaces in Andhra Pradesh]]

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Chandragiri Fort, Andhra Pradesh