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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Gandikota
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = te
| other_name =
| image_skyline = Indian Grand Canyon Sudhakar Bichali.jpg
| caption = Gandikota canyon
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Historical site, Archaeological Survey of India
| pushpin_map = India Andhra Pradesh#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|14.813433|N|78.284757|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| established_title = Established
| established_date = 12th Century A. D.
| founder = Kaka Raja, subordinate of [[Kalyani Chalukya]] dynasty (small sand fort)<br />[[Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayaka]], (101 towers huge rock fort)
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 516434
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 08560
| registration_plate = AP04
| website = {{URL|1=http://aptdc.gov.in/aptdc/getHotels?hotelPlace=GANDIKOTA|2=http://aptdc.gov.in/}}
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}

'''Gandikota''' is a village and historical fort on the right bank of the [[Penna River|Penna river]], 15 km from [[Jammalamadugu]] in [[Kadapa]] district, [[Andhra Pradesh]], India. The fort was the center of power for various dynasties, such as the [[Kalyani Chalukya]]s, [[Pemmasani Nayaks|Pemmasani Nayakas]], [[Golconda Sultanate|and the Golconda Sultanate]]. Gandikota was the capital of Pemmasani Nayakas for more than 300 years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/stone-from-gandikota-fort-to-be-used/article7776577.ece|title=Stone from Gandikota fort to be used|author=Staff Reporter|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-04-11|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/gandikota-fort-and-gorge-will-soon-be-a-tourist-hotspot/article25929883.ece|title=Gandikota fort and gorge will soon be a tourist hotspot|newspaper=The Hindu|date=7 January 2019|last1=Susarlagandikota|first1=Ramesh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.femina.in/life/travel/be-amazed-at-indias-grand-canyon-gandikota-andhra-pradesh-82639-2.html|title=Be amazed at India's Grand Canyon: Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.economictimes.com/magazines/travel/canyon-viewpoint-soak-in-some-natural-beauty-while-camping-along-pennar-river/articleshow/45885349.cms|title=Canyon Viewpoint: Soak in some natural beauty while camping along Pennar river|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref>Gandikota, by Tavva Obul Reddy, 2016, Telugu Samajam publishment</ref> [[Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayaka]] constructed the huge fort at Gandikota with 101 towers replacing the previous sand fort constructed by Kaka Raja, Vassals of [[Kalyani Chalukya]] rulers. Various additions of Islamic architecture were made during subsequent Muslim rule.

== Etymology==

The fort of Gandikota acquired its name due to the 'gorge', formed between the Erramala range of hills, also known as Gandikota hills and the river Pennar that flows at its foot, reducing its width to a mere 300 ft (look for the river image in the montage/main image).

==History==
===Early history===
Gandikota is a village on the right bank of the river Penna, 15 km from Jammalamudugu in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Gandikota area was first identified and made Sand fort in 1123 by Kakatiya Raja of nearby Bommanapalle village and a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, [[Kalyani Chalukya]] ruler. Gandikota came under the rule of [[Kakatiya]] dynasty from 1239 A.D to 1304 A.D and ruled by their various subordinates. Gandikota became the capital of [[Pemmasani Nayaks|Pemmasani Nayakas]] who ruled the fort and Gandikota region for more than 300 years. In 1652 A.D Pemmasani Timma Nayaka lost Gandikota battle with the attack of Mir Jumla, military general of [[Qutb shahi]] dynasty. Gandikota then came under the power of [[Golconda]] sultanate and Timma Nayaka became their feudatory king.Mir jumla came into agreement with Pemmasani timma nayaka That He will be given Goooti(guti) fort if he agrees to leave Gandikota fort to Mir jumla and Even after the supporters of Timma Nayaka Said That Mir jumla may betray us, Timma Nayaka Didn't listen to their words and agreed to the Agreement and left out the fort of Gandikota first with valuables and God Sculptures and jewelleries followed by Fort Women etc and Remaining were buried in the gandikota Fort itself...after leaving From Fort to Peta(Down Town). Mir jumla Occupied the fort of gandikota and Send Agreement papers to Timma Nayaka by Altering it with the suggestion of his supporters As Renaming Gooti (guti) to "Hanumanagutti" Village of Once Kamalapuram Takuka (For Details Search google Hanumanagutti or HanumanalaGutti or Hanumaguru on Archives .org .Thus TimmaNayudu Duped. After the fort captured by Abdul Nawab Khan, it became the part of British India {{citation needed|date=October 2017}}. Many families fled Gandikota to escape the persecution under the rule of Abdul Nawab Khan.

The village transformed into major fort after the emergence of [[Pemmasani Nayaks|Pemmasani Nayakas]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Sewell |title=A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A contribution to the History of India |url=http://historion.net/r.sewell-vijayanagar-history-india |access-date=3 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051202102715/http://historion.net/r.sewell-vijayanagar-history-india/ |archive-date=2 December 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=K. A. Nilakanta sastry: Further Sources of Vijayanagar History |year= 1946 |url=https://archive.org/details/FurtherSourcesOfVijayanagaraHistory}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Vijayanagara |first=Burton |last=Stein |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1989 |page=92 |isbn=0-521-26693-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Tidings of the king: a translation and ethnohistorical analysis of the Rayavachakamu by Phillip B. Wagoner |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |location=Honolulu |year=1993 |pages= 138–139 |isbn= 0-8248-1495-9 |url= https://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=62773998}}</ref>

Recently, Tavva Obul Reddy, a Mydukur-based [[historian]], discovered a copper plate inscription on the history of Gandikonda Fort. The inscription dates back to 16th century.<ref>{{cite news|title=Copper plate inscription about Gandikonda Fort found|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/copper-plate-inscription-older-than-mackenzie-kaifiyat-found/article18720214.ece}}</ref>

[[Vemana]] poet, native of [[Kadapa]] district and believed to have lived in Gandikota area for a short period.
[[Jean Baptiste Tavernier]] visited the fort during his travel to Golconda sultanate.

{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

Efforts are being put forth to give Gandikota a world heritage status.<ref name=heritage>{{cite news|title=Heritage status for Gandikota fort sought|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/heritage-status-for-gandikota-fort-sought/article1243450.ece|access-date=4 April 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=21 April 2008}}</ref>

== Major structures ==
<gallery>
Ranganatha_Swamy_Temple_Distant.jpg|Ranganatha Swamy Temple
Gandikota_Fort_Entrance.jpg |Gandikota Fort Entrance
Camping_Banks_Pennar_River.jpg| Camping on the banks of Pennar river
</gallery>
In the fort are two ancient temples, dedicated to Madhava and Ranganatha. They are in ruins and the fort area is full of the debris of ages and many ancient structures in varying stages of decay. The large granary, with a vaulted roof, is now used as watchman's quarters. The Jamia Masjid has two adjacent minarets. A heritage festival is held every year in the fort area.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gandikota Heritage festival from October 26|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/gandikota-heritage-festival-from-october-26/article3913182.ece|access-date=4 April 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=19 September 2012}}</ref>

The other structures in the fort, include another large granary (used for storing food and grains late back), a magazine, a graceful 'pigeon tower' with fretted windows and an extensive palace built by bricks with some plastered decorations and some wells. There is an old cannon lying in the fort. There is the 'Rayalacheruvu' with its perennial springs irrigating some lime and plantain gardens. It is said that this 'Cheruvu' was connected to a fountain in Jamia Masjid by pipes, traces of which can still be seen.

There were other gardens and springs. There is an undated inscription on a boulder, near the 'Nagajhari' outside the fort, recording the gift of two gardens at the place to the temple. There was a garden called 'Parebagh' with a waterfall at the foot of the hills, on the bank of the Penneru.

There are multiple camping areas outside the Fort and on the banks of the Pennar river.

The other main attractions at the fort includes House of the Drum (drums were used to alert the army in case of invasion), Charminar, Jail (where in the prisoners were held captive) and Red Koneru (Also known as pond of Swords, The huge lake in front of the mosque, where the warriors used to dip their swords in this lake and the waters used to turn blood red after the war).

==Access and transportation ==
[[File:The Penna near Gandikota.jpg|thumb|Panoramic view of Penna river near Gandikota]]
[[File:Grand Canon of India (Gandikota).jpg|thumb|Gandikota Canyon]]
The nearest railway stations are Muddanuru which is 26 km (railway code: MOO) and Jammalamadugu (JMDG) in Kadapa District. There are number of trains from Gooty Junction. Recently the town of Jammalamadugu which is closest to Gandikota fort <ref name="mytraveltales.in">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mytraveltales.in/2013/09/trip-to-gandikota.html|title = Trip to Gandikota}}</ref> also got railway connectivity due to the completion of [[Nandyal–Yerraguntla section]] railway line. However frequency of trains on this line is very low.

There are buses available from Jammalamadugu Old Bus Stand (Gandhi Statue Junction) to Gandikota.

Inside the fort there is no means of transportation except to walk by foot. It is ideal to engage a guide as the fort area is huge. There is a good downhill trek through the canyon that leads to the riverbed. There is a dam upstream (Gandikota Dam) and a dam downstream (Mylavaram Dam).

There is a Haritha hotel run by Andhra Pradesh Tourism department which has lodging facilities. However the facilities are limited during the weekdays as the visitors during weekdays are low

==Developments ==
In November 2015, Andhra Pradesh government cited a plan to develop Gandikota as next major tourist hub of Andhra Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://trekkerpedia.com/2015/11/gandikota-to-be-next-tourist-hub-of-andhra-pradesh/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=14 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720093810/http://trekkerpedia.com/2015/11/gandikota-to-be-next-tourist-hub-of-andhra-pradesh/ |archive-date=20 July 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Minister for Marketing and Animal husbandry C Adinarayana Reddy laid the foundation stone and performed bhumipooja for the rope way project proposed at Gandikota.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Article about this visiting Gandikota: ''Grand Canyon at Gandikota'', ''Deccan Chronicle'' newspaper (Hyderabad edition), 6 April 2012, Wanderlust Page: 21

==External links==
{{Commons category|Gandikota}}
*[https://www.natureinfocus.in/guide GandiKota Travel Guide to Plan Your Trip by Nature inFocus/]
* [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V12_133.gif Imperial Gazetteer of India: About Gandikota]
* [http://columbiauniversity.us/itc/mealac/pritchett/00glossarydata/places/gandikot/gandikot.html Water color paintings by Thomas Fraser and Sir Thomas Anburey-- in 1799 & 1802]
* [http://columbiauniversity.us/itc/mealac/pritchett/00generallinks/tavernier/vol1_chapter18.html French Traveller Tavernier's experience about Gandikota Fort & about Nawab of Gandikota while he was in India]
*[http://traveltwosome.com/gandikota-fort-and-canyon/ Gandikota Fort Canyon - A Complete guide with Pictures!/]

{{Forts in Andhra Pradesh}}
{{Kadapa district}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Villages in Kadapa district]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Canyons and gorges of India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kadapa district]]
[[Category:1123 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 12th century]]
[[Category:12th-century establishments in India]]

Gandikota - Revision history

MargretGerken: general correct section per standard format and cleaned formatting

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