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{{short description|Fort in Karnataka, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Savadatti Fort
| native_name =
| location = [[Savadatti]], [[Karnataka]], India
| image = Savadatti fort 3.JPG
| caption = Entrance view of the Savadatti fort
| map_type = India
| coordinates = {{coord|15.76|75.11|type:landmark|display=inline}}
| map_size = 250
| type = [[Fort]]
| built = 1734
| builder =
| controlledby =
| open_to_public = Yes
| materials =
| height =
| used =18th century
| ownership = [[Jayappa Desai]]
| condition = Restored
| battles =
| image2 = [[File:Saundatti Fort 21.11.2008.jpg|250px]]
| caption2 = A full view of the Savadatti fort
}}

The '''Savadatti Fort''', also known as '''Saundatti Fort'''{{Sfn|California|1884|p=606}} located in the western part of [[Savadatti]] town (which is also known as Saundatti or Sughandavarti, Savandavatti, Savadavatti, meaning fragrant city{{Sfn|California|1884|p=606}}) in the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Karnataka]] is an irregular shaped military structure built in the 18th century over a small hill. A smaller fort within the main fort houses the Kadasiddheshwara temple.{{Sfn|California|1884|p=606}}<ref name="Geometric" />

== Geography ==
Located in the Savadatti town, on its western part,{{Sfn|California|1884|p=606}} the fort is constructed over a small hill of stand-alone formation, which has flanks of exposed rocks. The hill is covered with a thick forest of [[Opuntia|prickly pear]].{{Sfn|California|1884|p=606}} It is approachable by road from Savadatti right up to the main gate. It is in the [[Belgaum district]] of Karnataka and is {{Convert|83 |km}} distance from [[Belgaum]].<ref name="Municipal" />

== History ==
The town in which the fort lies was ruled by the [[Ratta dynasty]] from 9th to 13th centuries, prior to shifting the capital to Belgaum.<ref name="Municipal">{{Cite web |url=http://www.saundattitown.mrc.gov.in/sites/saundattitown.mrc.gov.in/files/SAUNDATTI%20TALUK%20TOURISM%2005-10-2013.pdf |title=Saundatti Taluk Tourism |access-date=21 May 2016 |publisher=Saundattitown Municipal Administration}}</ref> In 1730, the Savanur Nawab gifted Savadatti along with Dharwar village to the Naralgund Desai who built the fort in 1734.{{Sfn|Vijaisri|2004|p=124}} It is also said that the fort was built by Jayappa Desai of the Navalgund Sirasangi Sansthan between 1743 and 1751.<ref name="Municipal">{{Cite web |url=http://www.saundattitown.mrc.gov.in/sites/saundattitown.mrc.gov.in/files/SAUNDATTI%20TALUK%20TOURISM%2005-10-2013.pdf |title=Saundatti Taluk Tourism |access-date=21 May 2016 |publisher=Saundattitown Municipal Administration}}</ref> When the fort came under the control of [[Hyder Ali]] of [[Mysore Kingdom|Mysore]], the Desai declared his allegiance to him.

== Features ==
The fort, built on a rising ground, is in the shape of a nine-sided polygon. The east-facing main entry gate is approachable by road. From the road, access to the main gate is steep. From this gate, further inwards to another gate, is also a steep climb over a stairway of about 30 steps. Each segment of the fort walls are {{Convert|120| ft}} in length, with heights ranging from {{Convert|24|to|60| ft}}, and are made of large, hewn stones. The fort is fortified with eight bastions. The fort measures {{Convert|325|ft}} in the north–south direction and {{Convert|450| ft}} in the east–west direction. The fort is surrounded by a [[moat]]. The main gate of the fort is further fortified with two [[postern]]s or [[sally port]]s on its northern and southern flanks. The ramparts of the fort are narrow parapets of stone with loop holes; these are well protected with revetments. In the interior part of the fort, at the higher end, there is a new temple dedicated to [[Hanuman]], and below this temple a beacon light has been installed.{{Sfn|California|1884|p=606}}

Within the fort stands a smaller fort, square in shape, fortified with corner towers or bastions. The entrance gate to this fort is well built and is accessed via a flight of steps. The ramparts of this fort are built with stone pillars that form a passage. There is a moat surrounding this fort which is in need of repairs. Within the fort lies a large pond surrounded by high parapet walls and a well protected gate, which was the source of good quality water.{{Sfn|California|1884|p=606}} The Kadisiddeshwara Temple stands in the center of this fort. The eaves of the roof inside the [[prakara]] (the walls that surround the temple) feature a row of more than 200 ornamental carvings in geometric designs, some of them painted.<ref name="Geometric">{{Cite web |url=http://gfgcsaundatti.org/pilgrimage.html |title=Pilgrimage Center |access-date=21 May 2016 |publisher=The Karabasappa Mallikarjunappa Mamani Government First Grade College}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book |last=California |first=University of |title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency:Belgaum |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NRMIAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA606 |year=1884 |publisher=Government Central Press }}
* {{cite book |last=Vijaisri |first=Priyadarshini |title=Recasting the Devadasi: Patterns of Sacred Prostitution in Colonial South India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zX_XAAAAMAAJ |date=1 January 2004 |publisher=Kanishka Publishers, Distributors |isbn=978-81-7391-644-1 }}

[[Category:Forts in Belagavi district]]

Savadatti Fort - Revision history

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