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<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name                   = Chitradurga
| name                     = Chitradurga
| native_name             = Durga
| native_name             = ಚಿತ್ರದುರ್ಗ
| other_name             =  
| other_name               =  
| nickname               = Fort City (Kote Nadu)
| nickname                 = Fort City (Kote Nadu)
| settlement_type         = City Municipal Council  
| settlement_type         = City Municipal Council
| image_skyline           =
| image_skyline           = GALIMANTAPA.jpg
| image_alt               =  
| image_alt               =  
| image_caption           = Fort is in Chitradurga district
| image_caption           = Historic temple in Chitradurga
| pushpin_map = Karnataka
| pushpin_map             = Karnataka
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_label_position   = right
| coordinates             = {{coord|14.23|N|76.4|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates             = {{coord|14.23|N|76.4|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type       = Country
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name       = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1       = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[List of regions of India|Region]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[List of regions of India|Region]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Bayaluseeme]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Bayaluseeme]]
| subdivision_type3       = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_type3       = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name3       = [[Chitradurga district|Chitradurga]]
| subdivision_name3       = [[Chitradurga district|Chitradurga]]
| established_title       = Established
| established_title       = Established
| established_date       = 1465
| established_date         = 1465
| founder                 = Thimmanna Nayaka
| founder                 = Thimmanna Nayaka
| named_for               =  
| named_for               =  
| government_type         = City Municipal Council  
| government_type         = City Municipal Council
| governing_body         =  
| governing_body           =  
| leader_title           = Member of Parliament
| leader_title             = Member of Parliament
| leader_name             = [[A Narayanaswamy]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Chitradurga MP|url=http://www.chitradurga.nic.in/mp.html|publisher=NIC|access-date=13 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026225620/http://www.chitradurga.nic.in/mp.html|archive-date=26 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>  
| leader_name             = [[A Narayanaswamy]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Chitradurga MP|url=http://www.chitradurga.nic.in/mp.html|publisher=NIC|access-date=13 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026225620/http://www.chitradurga.nic.in/mp.html|archive-date=26 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| unit_pref               = Metric
| unit_pref               = Metric
| area_footnotes         =  
| area_footnotes           =  
| area_rank               =  
| area_rank               =  
| area_total_km2         = 64.11
| area_total_km2           = 64.11
| elevation_footnotes     =  
| elevation_footnotes     =  
| elevation_m             = 732
| elevation_m             = 732
| population_total       = 330234
| population_total         = 330234
| population_as_of       = 2021
| population_as_of         = 2021
| population_rank         =  
| population_rank         =  
| population_density_km2 =  
| population_density_km2   =  
| population_demonym     = Durgan, Durgans, Durgadavaru
| population_demonym       = Durgan, Durgans, Durgadavaru
| population_footnotes   =  
| population_footnotes     =  
| demographics_type1     = Languages
| demographics_type1       = Languages
| demographics1_title1   = Official
| demographics1_title1     = Official
| demographics1_info1     = [[Kannada]]
| demographics1_info1     = [[Kannada]]
| timezone1               = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| timezone1               = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1             = +5:30
| utc_offset1             = +5:30
| postal_code_type       = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code_type         = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code             = 577501, 577502, 577524
| postal_code             = 577501, 577502, 577524
| area_code_type         = Telephone code
| area_code_type           = Telephone code
| area_code               = 08194
| area_code               = 08194
| registration_plate     = KA-16
| registration_plate       = KA-16
| website                 = https://chitradurga.nic.in
| website                 = https://chitradurga.nic.in
| footnotes               =  
| footnotes               =  
}}
}}
'''Chitradurga''' is a city and the headquarters of [[Chitradurga district]] which is located on the valley of the Vedavati river in the central part of the [[India]]n state of [[Karnataka]].<ref name=EB1911>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Chitaldrug|volume=6|page=247}}</ref> Chitradurga is a place with historical significance which is located to the North West about 200&nbsp;km from the state capital [[Bengaluru]].
'''Chitradurga''' is a city and the headquarters of [[Chitradurga district]], which is located on the valley of the Vedavati river in the central part of the [[India]]n state of [[Karnataka]].<ref name=EB1911>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Chitaldrug|volume=6|page=247}}</ref> Chitradurga is a place with historical significance which is located to the North West about 200&nbsp;km from the state capital [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]].
Chitradurga is a major tourist hub in Karnataka.  
Chitradurga is a major tourist hub in Karnataka.  


The city is famous for its fort which is locally known as [[Chitradurga Fort|Kallina Kote]] or Stone Fortress, which is also formed of two Kannada words ‘Kallina’ means "Stone's" and Kote means "Fort". Other names used in Kannada are ‘Ukkina Kote": "Steel Fort" (metaphorically used to mean an Impregnable fort) and ‘Yelusuttina Kote’: "Seven Circles Fort".<ref>{{cite web |title=Chitradurga Fort {{!}} Historical Town of Chitradurga {{!}} Kallin Kote |url=https://www.karnatakatourism.org/tour-item/chitradurga-fort/ |website=Karnataka Tourism}}</ref>
The city is famous for its 15th-century fort, which is locally known as [[Chitradurga Fort|Kallina Kote]] or Stone Fortress. This is formed of two Kannada words: ‘Kallina’ means "Stone's" and Kote means "Fort". Other names used in Kannada are ‘Ukkina Kote": "Steel Fort" (metaphorically used to mean an impregnable fort) and ‘Yelusuttina Kote’: "Seven Circles Fort".<ref>{{cite web |title=Chitradurga Fort {{!}} Historical Town of Chitradurga {{!}} Kallin Kote |url=https://www.karnatakatourism.org/tour-item/chitradurga-fort/ |website=Karnataka Tourism}}</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
'''Chitradurga''' gets its name from ''Chitrakaldurga (or Picturesque castle)'', an umbrella-shaped lofty hill found here. Chitradurga was also known by the names Chitradurg, Chitrakaladurga, Chittaldurg. Chittaldrug (or Chitaldrug<ref name="EB1911"/> or Chittledroog) was the official name used during the British rule. Also known as Farkhabad during Tippu sultan rule.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Chitradurga|url=http://www.chitradurgacity.gov.in/|publisher=Chitradurga City Municipal Council|access-date=2014-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060218182334/http://www.chitradurgacity.gov.in/|archive-date=18 February 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>
'''Chitradurga''' gets its name from ''Chitrakaldurga (meaning picturesque fort)'', an umbrella-shaped lofty hill found here. Chitradurga was also known by the names Chitradurg, Chitrakaladurga, and Chittaldurg. Chittaldrug (or Chitaldrug<ref name="EB1911"/> or Chittledroog) was the official name used during the period of British rule. It was also known as Farkhabad during Tippu sultan rule.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Chitradurga|url=http://www.chitradurgacity.gov.in/|publisher=Chitradurga City Municipal Council|access-date=2014-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060218182334/http://www.chitradurgacity.gov.in/|archive-date=18 February 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Chitradurga features bold rock hills and picturesque valleys, huge towering boulders in numerous shapes.  It is known as the "stone fortress" (''Kallina Kote''). According to the epic [[Mahabharatha]], it is confirmed about this story that a man-eating [[Rakshasa]] named [[Hidimba]] and his sister [[Hidimbi]] lived on the hill. Hidimba was a source of terror to everyone around while Hidimbi was a peace-loving rakshasa. When the [[Pandava]]s came with their mother [[Kunti]] in the course of their exile, [[Bhima]] had a duel with Hidimba in which Hidimba was killed. Thereafter Bhima married [[Hidimbi]] and they had a son named [[Ghatotkacha]] who had magical powers. Legend has it the boulders were part of the arsenal used during that duel. In fact, the boulders on which major part of the city rests belong to the oldest rock formation in the country.
Chitradurga features bold rock hills and picturesque valleys, with huge towering boulders in numerous shapes.  It is known as the "stone fortress" (''Kallina Kote''). According to the epic ''[[Mahabharatha]]'', a man-eating [[Rakshasa]] named [[Hidimba]] and his sister [[Hidimbi]] lived on the hill. Hidimba was a source of terror to everyone around, while Hidimbi was a peace-loving rakshasa. When the [[Pandava]]s came with their mother [[Kunti]] in the course of their exile, [[Bhima]] had a duel with Hidimba in which Hidimba was killed. Bhima married [[Hidimbi]] and they had a son named [[Ghatotkacha]], who had magical powers. Legend has it the boulders were part of the arsenal used by Bhima during that duel. The boulders on which a major part of the city was developed belong to the oldest rock formation in the country.


Timmana Nayaka, a chieftain under the [[Vijayanagar Empire]], rose to the rank of governor of Chitradurga as a reward from the Vijayanagara ruler, for his excellence in military services,.  This was the beginning of the rule of the [[Nayak dynasty|Nayakas of Chitradurga]].  His son Obana Nayaka is known by the name Madakari Nayaka (1588&nbsp;CE).  Madakari Nayaka's son Kasturi Rangappa (1602) succeeded him and consolidated the kingdom to rule peacefully. As he had no heirs to succeed him, his adopted son, the apparent heir was enthroned but was killed in few months by the Dalavayis.
Timmana Nayaka, a chieftain under the [[Vijayanagar Empire]], was appointed as governor of Chitradurga as a reward from the Vijayanagara ruler for his excellence in military services.  This was the beginning of the rule of the [[Nayak dynasty|Nayakas of Chitradurga]].  His son Obana Nayaka is known by the name Madakari Nayaka (1588&nbsp;CE). (He was the last ruler of Chitradurga. His name comes from his ability to have suppressed the arrogance- "Mada" of a particular troublesome elephant- "Kari").  Madakari Nayaka's son Kasturi Rangappa (1602) succeeded him and consolidated the kingdom to rule peacefully. As he had no heirs to succeed him, his adopted son, the apparent heir, was enthroned. But he was killed a few months later by the Dalavayis.


Chikkanna Nayaka (1676), the brother of Madakari Nayaka II sat on the throne, and his brother succeeded him with the title Madakari Nayaka III in 1686.  The unwillingness of Dalawayis to accept Madakari Nayaka III's rule gave an opportunity to one of their distant relatives, Bharamappa Nayaka to ascend the throne in 1689.  He is known as the greatest of the Nayaka rulers. The subjects of Chitradurga did not experience a good reign of the successive rulers as they ruled on the throne for very brief periods. The Hiri Madakari Nayaka IV (1721), Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II (1748), Madakari Nayaka V (1758) ruled this area but there is not much to mention of their rule.<ref>Suryanath U. Kamath, ''A Concise History of Karnataka'', Bangalore, 2001</ref>
Chikkanna Nayaka (1676), the brother of Madakari Nayaka II, served on the throne. His brother succeeded him in 1686 with the title Madakari Nayaka III.  The Dalawayis overthrow of Madakari Nayaka III's rule gave an opportunity to one of their distant relatives, Bharamappa Nayaka, to ascend the throne in 1689.  He is known as the greatest of the Nayaka rulers. The subjects of Chitradurga suffered through the brief reigns of the successive rulers, which resulted in volatile conditions. The Hiri Madakari Nayaka IV (1721), Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II (1748), Madakari Nayaka V (1758) ruled this area, but there is not much documentation of their rule.<ref>Suryanath U. Kamath, ''A Concise History of Karnataka'', Bangalore, 2001</ref>


===Legend of Onake Obavva===
===Legend of Onake Obavva===
{{See|Onake Obavva}}
{{See|Onake Obavva}}
[[File:Onake Obavva kindi.JPG|thumb|An opening in the rocks of Chitradurga fort that was used by Hyder Ali to send his soldiers. This attempt was defeated by Obavva.]]
[[File:Onake Obavva kindi.JPG|thumb|An opening in the rocks of Chitradurga fort that was used by Hyder Ali for an attempted invasion by his soldiers. This was defeated by Obavva.]]
During the reign of [[Madakari Nayaka]], (He was the last ruler of Chitradurga. His name comes from his ability to have subsided the arrogance- "Mada" of a particular troublesome elephant- "Kari")  the town of Chitradurga was besieged by the troops of [[Hyder Ali]]. A chance sighting of a woman entering the Chitradurga fort through an opening in the rocks led to a clever plan by [[Hyder Ali]] to send his soldiers through the hole. The guard on duty near that hole had gone home for lunch. The wife of that guard, [[Onake Obavva|Obavva]] was passing by the hole to collect water, when she noticed soldiers emerging out of this opening. Obavva was not perturbed. She was carrying with her an Onake (a long wooden club meant for pounding paddy grains). She killed Hyder Ali's soldiers one by one as they attempted to enter the fort through the opening and quietly moved the dead. Over a short period of time hundreds of soldiers entered and fell, without raising any suspicion. Obavva's husband, upon his return from his lunch was shocked to see Obavva standing with a blood stained Onake and hundreds of dead bodies of the enemy around her. Together both wife and husband beat up most of the soldiers. But as both of them were about to finish off all the soldiers of Hyder Ali, Obavva dies. The opening in the rocks still remains as a historical witness for the story, beside The Tanniru doni the well which Obavva was making her way to, when she found the soldiers of Hyder Ali. Though her brave attempt saved the fort on that occasion, [[Madakari Nayaka]] could not repel Hyder Ali's attack in 1779. In the ensuing battle, the fort of Chitradurga was lost to Hyder Ali. Obavva, like [[Kittur Chennamma|Kittur Rani Chennamma]] remains a legend, especially to the women of Karnataka.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tourism in Chitradurga|url=http://www.chitradurgacity.gov.in/node/113|publisher=Chitradurga city municipal council|access-date=2014-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225233614/http://www.chitradurgacity.gov.in/node/113|archive-date=25 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bharat: An Untold Story - Chitradurga|url=http://bharatuntoldstory.tumblr.com/post/72225591204/chitradurga-karnataka-legendary-fort-built-by|publisher=Tumbler.com|access-date=2014-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chitradurga Fort|url=http://www.chitradurga.nic.in/fort.html|publisher=Chitradurga District|access-date=2014-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Synthetic track at Obavva stadium ready|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Synthetic-track-at-Obavva-stadium-ready/articleshow/8136936.cms?referral=PM|work=[[Times of India]]}}</ref>
During the reign of [[Madakari Nayaka]], the town of Chitradurga was besieged by troops of [[Hyder Ali]]. A chance sighting of a woman entering the Chitradurga fort through an opening in the rocks led to a clever plan by [[Hyder Ali]] to send his soldiers through the hole. The guard on duty near that hole had gone home for lunch. [[Onake Obavva|Obavva]], the wife of that guard, was passing by the hole to collect water, when she noticed soldiers emerging into the fort. Obavva was carrying an ''Onake'' (a long wooden club meant for pounding paddy grains).  
 
She killed Hyder Ali's soldiers one by one as they attempted to enter the fort through the opening and moved the dead. Over a short period of time, hundreds of soldiers entered and fell, without raising any suspicion.  
After returning from lunch, Obavva's husband was shocked to see Obavva standing with a blood-stained Onake and hundreds of dead enemy bodies around her. Together both wife and husband beat up most of the soldiers. But as both were about to finish off the soldiers, Obavva died.  
 
The opening in the rocks remains as a historical marker for this account. The Tanniru doni, the well that Obavva was going to when she saw the invading soldiers, has also survived. Though Obavva saved the fort on that occasion, [[Madakari Nayaka]] could not repel another attack in 1779 by Hyder Ali. In the ensuing battle, the fort of Chitradurga fell to the invader. Obavva, like [[Kittur Chennamma|Kittur Rani Chennamma]], remains a legend, especially to the women of Karnataka.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tourism in Chitradurga|url=http://www.chitradurgacity.gov.in/node/113|publisher=Chitradurga city municipal council|access-date=2014-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225233614/http://www.chitradurgacity.gov.in/node/113|archive-date=25 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bharat: An Untold Story - Chitradurga|url=http://bharatuntoldstory.tumblr.com/post/72225591204/chitradurga-karnataka-legendary-fort-built-by|publisher=Tumbler.com|access-date=2014-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chitradurga Fort|url=http://www.chitradurga.nic.in/fort.html|publisher=Chitradurga District|access-date=2014-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Synthetic track at Obavva stadium ready|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Synthetic-track-at-Obavva-stadium-ready/articleshow/8136936.cms?referral=PM|work=[[Times of India]]}}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
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=== Geology: National Geological Monument ===
=== Geology: National Geological Monument ===
''Mardihalli Pillow lavas national geo-monument'' at Mardihalli village near [[Hiriyur]] has been declared the [[List_of_National_Geological_Monuments_in_India|National Geological Monuments of India]] by the [[Geological Survey of India]] (GSI), for their protection, maintenance, promotion and enhancement of [[geotourism]].<ref name=gsi1>{{Cite web |url=http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529542&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |title=National Geological Monument, from Geological Survey of India website |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712055947/http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529542&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |archive-date=12 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="gsi2">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=137573|title=Geo-Heritage Sites|date=2016-03-09|website=pib.nic.in|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]]|access-date=2018-09-15}}</ref><ref name=gsi3>[http://naturalheritage.intach.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Geoheritage-Monograph.pdf national geo-heritage of India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111120428/http://naturalheritage.intach.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Geoheritage-Monograph.pdf |date=11 January 2017 }}, [[Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage|INTACH]]</ref>
What is known as "Pillow Lava" near the village of Maradihalli, Chitradurga District, Karnataka, has been designated as a [[List_of_National_Geological_Monuments_in_India|National Geological Monument of India]] by the [[Geological Survey of India]] (GSI). They are protected and maintained to promote [[geotourism]].<ref name=gsi1>{{Cite web |url=http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529542&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |title=National Geological Monument, from Geological Survey of India website |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712055947/http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529542&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |archive-date=12 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="gsi2">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=137573|title=Geo-Heritage Sites|date=2016-03-09|website=pib.nic.in|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]]|access-date=2018-09-15}}</ref><ref name=gsi3>[http://naturalheritage.intach.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Geoheritage-Monograph.pdf national geo-heritage of India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111120428/http://naturalheritage.intach.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Geoheritage-Monograph.pdf |date=11 January 2017 }}, [[Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage|INTACH]]</ref> The Maradihalli group is considered one of the best examples of this phenomenon in the world. They formed within the Chitradurga schist belt of Dharwar Group, when hot molten lava erupted under water and solidified quickly while cooling as forms of roughly spherical or rounded pillow-shapes. These rounded forms are a few feet or less in size. This pillow lava has been dated to 2500 million years.
 
Maradihalli is 16 km southeast of Chitradurga town and 4 km north of Ayamangala village, on the NH-4 (Bangalore –Pune). The area can be accessed by metalled road via Ayamangala, which is about 180 km from Bangalore.


==Climate==
==Climate==
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===[[Chitradurga Fort]]===
===[[Chitradurga Fort]]===
[[Chitradurga Fort]] was built between the 10th and 18th centuries by the kings various dynasties during that period which are Rashtrakutas, Kalyana Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar and [[Nayakas of Chitradurga]]. After Hyder Ali illegally Captured the fort from the last ruler of Chitradurga [[Madakari Nayaka]] in the year 1779. It comprises a series of seven enclosure walls in Kannada. On the upper part of the fort Eighteen ancient temples can be found and in the lower part of the fort there is one huge temple. Among these temples the oldest and most interesting is the Hidimbeshwara temple. The masjid was an addition during Hyder Ali's rule. The fort's many interconnecting tanks were used to harvest rainwater, and the fort was said to never suffer from a water shortage. This seemingly impregnable fort has 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, a palace, a mosque, granaries, oil pits, four secret entrances and water tanks.<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/travel/bastion-on-the-hill/article4484550.ece|title=Bastion on the hill - Chitradurga Fort |date=7 March 2013|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
[[Chitradurga Fort]] was built between the 10th and 18th centuries by the kings various dynasties during that period which are Rashtrakutas, Kalyana Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar and [[Nayakas of Chitradurga]]. After Hyder Ali illegally Captured the fort from the last ruler of Chitradurga [[Madakari Nayaka]] in the year 1779. It comprises a series of seven enclosure walls in Kannada. On the upper part of the fort Eighteen ancient temples can be found and in the lower part of the fort there is one huge temple. Among these temples the oldest and most interesting is the Hidambeshwara temple. The masjid was an addition during Hyder Ali's rule. The fort's many interconnecting tanks were used to harvest rainwater, and the fort was said to never suffer from a water shortage. This seemingly impregnable fort has 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, a palace, a mosque, granaries, oil pits, four secret entrances and water tanks.<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/travel/bastion-on-the-hill/article4484550.ece|title=Bastion on the hill - Chitradurga Fort |date=7 March 2013|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>


===[[Chandravalli]]===
===[[Chandravalli]]===

Latest revision as of 10:26, 30 April 2022

Chitradurga
ಚಿತ್ರದುರ್ಗ
City Municipal Council
Historic temple in Chitradurga
Historic temple in Chitradurga
Nickname: 
Fort City (Kote Nadu)
Chitradurga is located in Karnataka
Chitradurga
Chitradurga
Coordinates: 14°14′N 76°24′E / 14.23°N 76.4°E / 14.23; 76.4Coordinates: 14°14′N 76°24′E / 14.23°N 76.4°E / 14.23; 76.4
Country India
StateKarnataka
RegionBayaluseeme
DistrictChitradurga
Established1465
Founded byThimmanna Nayaka
Government
 • TypeCity Municipal Council
 • Member of ParliamentA Narayanaswamy[1]
Area
 • Total64.11 km2 (24.75 sq mi)
Elevation
732 m (2,402 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total330,234
Demonym(s)Durgan, Durgans, Durgadavaru
Languages
 • OfficialKannada
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
577501, 577502, 577524
Telephone code08194
Vehicle registrationKA-16
Websitehttps://chitradurga.nic.in

Chitradurga is a city and the headquarters of Chitradurga district, which is located on the valley of the Vedavati river in the central part of the Indian state of Karnataka.[2] Chitradurga is a place with historical significance which is located to the North West about 200 km from the state capital Bengaluru. Chitradurga is a major tourist hub in Karnataka.

The city is famous for its 15th-century fort, which is locally known as Kallina Kote or Stone Fortress. This is formed of two Kannada words: ‘Kallina’ means "Stone's" and Kote means "Fort". Other names used in Kannada are ‘Ukkina Kote": "Steel Fort" (metaphorically used to mean an impregnable fort) and ‘Yelusuttina Kote’: "Seven Circles Fort".[3]

Etymology[edit]

Chitradurga gets its name from Chitrakaldurga (meaning picturesque fort), an umbrella-shaped lofty hill found here. Chitradurga was also known by the names Chitradurg, Chitrakaladurga, and Chittaldurg. Chittaldrug (or Chitaldrug[2] or Chittledroog) was the official name used during the period of British rule. It was also known as Farkhabad during Tippu sultan rule.[4]

History[edit]

Chitradurga features bold rock hills and picturesque valleys, with huge towering boulders in numerous shapes. It is known as the "stone fortress" (Kallina Kote). According to the epic Mahabharatha, a man-eating Rakshasa named Hidimba and his sister Hidimbi lived on the hill. Hidimba was a source of terror to everyone around, while Hidimbi was a peace-loving rakshasa. When the Pandavas came with their mother Kunti in the course of their exile, Bhima had a duel with Hidimba in which Hidimba was killed. Bhima married Hidimbi and they had a son named Ghatotkacha, who had magical powers. Legend has it the boulders were part of the arsenal used by Bhima during that duel. The boulders on which a major part of the city was developed belong to the oldest rock formation in the country.

Timmana Nayaka, a chieftain under the Vijayanagar Empire, was appointed as governor of Chitradurga as a reward from the Vijayanagara ruler for his excellence in military services. This was the beginning of the rule of the Nayakas of Chitradurga. His son Obana Nayaka is known by the name Madakari Nayaka (1588 CE). (He was the last ruler of Chitradurga. His name comes from his ability to have suppressed the arrogance- "Mada" of a particular troublesome elephant- "Kari"). Madakari Nayaka's son Kasturi Rangappa (1602) succeeded him and consolidated the kingdom to rule peacefully. As he had no heirs to succeed him, his adopted son, the apparent heir, was enthroned. But he was killed a few months later by the Dalavayis.

Chikkanna Nayaka (1676), the brother of Madakari Nayaka II, served on the throne. His brother succeeded him in 1686 with the title Madakari Nayaka III. The Dalawayis overthrow of Madakari Nayaka III's rule gave an opportunity to one of their distant relatives, Bharamappa Nayaka, to ascend the throne in 1689. He is known as the greatest of the Nayaka rulers. The subjects of Chitradurga suffered through the brief reigns of the successive rulers, which resulted in volatile conditions. The Hiri Madakari Nayaka IV (1721), Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II (1748), Madakari Nayaka V (1758) ruled this area, but there is not much documentation of their rule.[5]

Legend of Onake Obavva[edit]

An opening in the rocks of Chitradurga fort that was used by Hyder Ali for an attempted invasion by his soldiers. This was defeated by Obavva.

During the reign of Madakari Nayaka, the town of Chitradurga was besieged by troops of Hyder Ali. A chance sighting of a woman entering the Chitradurga fort through an opening in the rocks led to a clever plan by Hyder Ali to send his soldiers through the hole. The guard on duty near that hole had gone home for lunch. Obavva, the wife of that guard, was passing by the hole to collect water, when she noticed soldiers emerging into the fort. Obavva was carrying an Onake (a long wooden club meant for pounding paddy grains).

She killed Hyder Ali's soldiers one by one as they attempted to enter the fort through the opening and moved the dead. Over a short period of time, hundreds of soldiers entered and fell, without raising any suspicion. After returning from lunch, Obavva's husband was shocked to see Obavva standing with a blood-stained Onake and hundreds of dead enemy bodies around her. Together both wife and husband beat up most of the soldiers. But as both were about to finish off the soldiers, Obavva died.

The opening in the rocks remains as a historical marker for this account. The Tanniru doni, the well that Obavva was going to when she saw the invading soldiers, has also survived. Though Obavva saved the fort on that occasion, Madakari Nayaka could not repel another attack in 1779 by Hyder Ali. In the ensuing battle, the fort of Chitradurga fell to the invader. Obavva, like Kittur Rani Chennamma, remains a legend, especially to the women of Karnataka.[6][7][8][9]

Geography[edit]

Chitradurga is located at 14°14′N 76°24′E / 14.23°N 76.4°E / 14.23; 76.4.[10] It has an average elevation of 732 metres (2401 ft).

Chitradurga city is well connected to Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Davanagere, Hubballi, Hospet, Bellary, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Vijayapura, Belagavi by road and through railways. Both NH-4 & NH-13 meets at Chitradurga City.

Geology: National Geological Monument[edit]

What is known as "Pillow Lava" near the village of Maradihalli, Chitradurga District, Karnataka, has been designated as a National Geological Monument of India by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). They are protected and maintained to promote geotourism.[11][12][13] The Maradihalli group is considered one of the best examples of this phenomenon in the world. They formed within the Chitradurga schist belt of Dharwar Group, when hot molten lava erupted under water and solidified quickly while cooling as forms of roughly spherical or rounded pillow-shapes. These rounded forms are a few feet or less in size. This pillow lava has been dated to 2500 million years.

Maradihalli is 16 km southeast of Chitradurga town and 4 km north of Ayamangala village, on the NH-4 (Bangalore –Pune). The area can be accessed by metalled road via Ayamangala, which is about 180 km from Bangalore.

Climate[edit]

The climate here is considered to be a local steppe climate. During the year, there is little rainfall in Chitradurga. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is BSh. The temperature here averages 25.3 °C. The rainfall here averages 576 mm.

Climate data for Chitradurga (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2012)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 33.9
(93.0)
37.1
(98.8)
38.9
(102.0)
39.8
(103.6)
41.7
(107.1)
39.2
(102.6)
34.4
(93.9)
32.8
(91.0)
35.0
(95.0)
35.0
(95.0)
33.0
(91.4)
33.5
(92.3)
41.7
(107.1)
Average high °C (°F) 29.4
(84.9)
32.3
(90.1)
35.0
(95.0)
36.1
(97.0)
34.9
(94.8)
30.6
(87.1)
28.5
(83.3)
27.9
(82.2)
29.3
(84.7)
29.4
(84.9)
28.5
(83.3)
28.0
(82.4)
30.8
(87.4)
Average low °C (°F) 16.9
(62.4)
19.1
(66.4)
21.7
(71.1)
22.9
(73.2)
22.6
(72.7)
21.7
(71.1)
21.1
(70.0)
20.7
(69.3)
20.6
(69.1)
20.3
(68.5)
18.3
(64.9)
16.7
(62.1)
20.2
(68.4)
Record low °C (°F) 9.4
(48.9)
12.2
(54.0)
14.6
(58.3)
16.4
(61.5)
12.6
(54.7)
17.2
(63.0)
17.8
(64.0)
17.8
(64.0)
15.0
(59.0)
13.9
(57.0)
8.3
(46.9)
8.3
(46.9)
8.3
(46.9)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 2.2
(0.09)
3.6
(0.14)
6.1
(0.24)
38.1
(1.50)
65.3
(2.57)
67.8
(2.67)
69.4
(2.73)
99.5
(3.92)
113.9
(4.48)
128.2
(5.05)
54.3
(2.14)
12.5
(0.49)
660.9
(26.02)
Average rainy days 0.3 0.4 0.7 2.5 4.1 5.5 7.8 8.5 6.7 6.8 2.8 0.9 47.1
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 34 26 25 30 41 64 71 74 64 59 53 74 49
Source: India Meteorological Department[14][15]

Demographics[edit]

As of 2011 India census,[16] Chitradurga had a population of 1,25,170. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Chitradurga has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 80% and female literacy of 72%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Administration[edit]

Chitradurga city is administered by the Chitradurga city municipal council.[17]

Renewable Energy[edit]

Chitradurga situated in a hilly region is also known to experience wind currents throughout the year making it a suitable place to set up wind mills and wind farms. There are several Wind-Power based power plants located around Chitradurga and most of the hills are embellished with wind mills which can be seen while entering the city. These wind farms have a total installed capacity of 49.7 MW.

Historical Places[edit]

Chitradurga Fort[edit]

Chitradurga Fort was built between the 10th and 18th centuries by the kings various dynasties during that period which are Rashtrakutas, Kalyana Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar and Nayakas of Chitradurga. After Hyder Ali illegally Captured the fort from the last ruler of Chitradurga Madakari Nayaka in the year 1779. It comprises a series of seven enclosure walls in Kannada. On the upper part of the fort Eighteen ancient temples can be found and in the lower part of the fort there is one huge temple. Among these temples the oldest and most interesting is the Hidambeshwara temple. The masjid was an addition during Hyder Ali's rule. The fort's many interconnecting tanks were used to harvest rainwater, and the fort was said to never suffer from a water shortage. This seemingly impregnable fort has 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, a palace, a mosque, granaries, oil pits, four secret entrances and water tanks.[18]

Chandravalli[edit]

Chandravalli caves is located amidst three hills namely Chitradurga, Cholagudda and Kirubanakallu. These caves are a never-ending maze of steep steps that lead into passageways, rooms and ante-rooms where kings from the Kadamba, Satavahana and Hoysala dynasties resided. And saints of the Ankali Math of Belgaum meditated in the temples. These caves are well ventilated but there is no light as its pitch dark inside the secret rooms that's why the kings used these rooms in case there was a threat of an intrusion.[18]

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]


References[edit]

  1. "Chitradurga MP". NIC. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Chitaldrug" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 247.
  3. "Chitradurga Fort | Historical Town of Chitradurga | Kallin Kote". Karnataka Tourism.
  4. "About Chitradurga". Chitradurga City Municipal Council. Archived from the original on 18 February 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  5. Suryanath U. Kamath, A Concise History of Karnataka, Bangalore, 2001
  6. "Tourism in Chitradurga". Chitradurga city municipal council. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  7. "Bharat: An Untold Story - Chitradurga". Tumbler.com. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  8. "Chitradurga Fort". Chitradurga District. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  9. "Synthetic track at Obavva stadium ready". Times of India.
  10. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Chitradurga
  11. "National Geological Monument, from Geological Survey of India website". Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  12. "Geo-Heritage Sites". pib.nic.in. Press Information Bureau. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  13. national geo-heritage of India Archived 11 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine, INTACH
  14. "Station: Chitradurga Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 193–194. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  15. "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M94. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  16. "Census of India 2011: Population details". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  17. "Home of Chitradurga City Municipal Council". Chitradurga City Municipal Council. Archived from the original on 18 February 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  18. 18.0 18.1 "Bastion on the hill - Chitradurga Fort". The Hindu. 7 March 2013.

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