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Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c12.s4: Architecture in detail of the fort of the Bādāmi Chālukyan period

Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c12.s4

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Architecture in detail of the fort of the Bādāmi Chālukyan period

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The fort (Fig.23) on the North-hill in relation to the inscription of Pulikeshi I, obviously is one that was got built by the king referred to in the inscription. The wide top surface of the hill and its periphery are sufficiently flat but undulating. The fort wall had been erected all along the edge of the hill, Therefore, there cannot be any moat outside the fort. The fort is a very good instance of Giridurga. Secondly, the plan (Fig. 23) of the fort is inevitably irregularly polygonal and the height of the fort also varies because of the undulating surface of the rock, the minimum and maximum 2 m and 6 m. The fort wall is 6 m wide at the bottom and 2 m at the top the interior along the principle axis being 340 m north south and 330 m east west. The fort wall has regular buttresses at an interval of 50 m. The buttress generally is 12 m by 4 m in area approximately. The sides of the walls are tapering towards the top.

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The blocks (Fig.27) used are of irregular shapes and of varied sizes, they are filled conveniently in accordance with the slope so well that hardly any space is left in between the boulders. The construction is cyclopean (Fig.30) the hearting is of earth debris. However, thin clay that had probably percolated from the hearting into the narrow spaces left in between the blocks, is visible. The method of construction is so that the heavy load of the upper part is very well borne by the wider bottom. The top, which is about 2 m wide is flat throughout. If there was originally any parapet wall at the exterior edge cannot be known from the present state of its existence. However, the existance of the parapet for the protection of the guards cannot be ruled out. For in the sculptural representations of the main gates of the fortified cities; in the reliefs of 1st century B.C., from Mathura, Sānchi (Coomraswamy, A.K., 1972, Pl.XIV & XVI), there are clear indications of the parapet wall at the top edge of the fort.

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It may be recalled here that the fort was attacked by Narashimhavarma Māmalla the Pallava king, who captured the fort from the Pulikeshi II, bore the title of Vātāpikaṇḍa. The inscription of Narashimhavarman is located on a boulder in front of entrance No.3, which actually leads to the interior of the fort. Sufficient damage therefore must have been caused to the fort during the severe war between these two kings.

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The first entrance (Fig.24) and (Illn. 62) to the fort is located to the North-west of the Agastya tank in between two boulders looking west. From the entrance a passage, 15 m, runs towards east and immediately to the left is another entrance looking east and heading to the main 3rd entrance. In front of the 2nd entrance is a huge rock having the inscription of Narashimhavarman Pallava. At the other end of the rock is raised a high fort wall from the ground level connecting the tank and the hill-north-south, thus completely blocking the entrance from the east at this site (Fig.23).

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Entrances I and II are quite simple in their plan. Entrance No.1 (Fig.24) is just an opening formed by two vertical huge jambs carrying lintels standing against the natural huge boulder on one side and the fort wall on the other. On the inner side of the entrance on both sides of the royal path - that must have been used by the family members of the ruling dynasty, is a platform. On the frontal side of the platform are the sculptured panels representing some of the episodes of Kṛishṇalīlā and Kubjagaṇas in various attitudes in folie moods.

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One would naturally enquire into the propriety of having entrance here. In view of its simple plan, of its location of the insignificant corner of the fort wall and of simple nature of the entrance, it does not seem to be the main entrance. We must understand therefore the propriety of its existence there, although it is not of strategic importance. Now from entrance No.2 there is no access direct to the Layanas got excavated in the opposite scarp of the rock; one of them i.e. Layana No.3 was got excavated in saka 500 by Mangaḷēśa himself. The access to these Layanas from entrance No.2, for the royal members is only through the entrance No.1, by the path on the western side of the tank to the Layanas. Hence the uniform narrow way between the entrance No.2 and entrance No.1 should be taken as royal path almost exclusively to the Layanas. The narrow way between the boulder and the fort wall at that point is converted into an entrance exclusively for the people of the rulers, and hence we find much attention is being given to the decoration of the platforms on the inner side of the entrance No.1. The location of the entrance No.1 clearly indicates that the rulers and the important administrators were within the fort separated from the city in the ground level. Thus, the Giri Durga on the North-hill can be described as a citadel separated from the city. Entrance No. 2 in the present state of its condition looks as though it is an enigmatic for the space in between the entrance and the huge boulder rock containing the inscription of Narashimhavarman, the Pallava ruler, is open, secondly the space in between the northern side of the entrance and the hill is also open. Thus therefore the entrance No.2 functionally is meaningless, but the entrance could not have been erected without proper use. A careful study of the area indicates that the entrance has been thoughtfully constructed. In front of this entrance is a naturally deep depression forming a pond upto the rock; therefore the stump of the wall that still is extant of the northern side of the entrance, must have been a part of the wall that connected the entrance and the rock along the edge on the pond. The pond therefore formed a natural short moat to the wall; and this wall was broken during the war between Pulikeshin-II and Narashimhavarma Mamalla, in view of the proximity of the latter's inscription. The remnants of the wall in course of time had disappeared, thus by conjecturing reasonably the existence of the wall between entrance No. 2 and the rock, one could understand the propriety of the location of the entrance. And it is from this entrance there is a flight of steps to the entrance No.3, which is more imposing and strategically well built for it forms the main entrance into the citadel.

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Entrance No. 2 in reality forms the first entrance into the citadel. In selecting the spot for the entrance the architect had displayed his ingenuity in military strategy. The North-Hill is in all sides almost very steep. In those days it would have been very difficult to scale the hill upto the top without special devices. It is only at the north-eastern side the hill is somewhat slopy; at this spot is a narrow opening which is in ruins. In the present state of its condition it is not possible to surmise whether there was any well-built door-way at this point. Even if there would be any entrance it could not have served as main entrance for it is at this point the fort is comparatively more accessible; and the inscription of Pulikēshin-I clearly states that he had built a fort inaccessible both from the top and the bottom. Therefore, the North-eastern entrance on the top of the hill probably served as, if at all there, emergency exit.

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Now, the only area where the main entrance could be provided to the hill fort is on the southern side. Here is a deep valley which leeds to the top westwards and the valley is so naturally well protected. On the eastern side and on the southern side are huge boulders. Immediately on the other side of the boulders is the large Agastya ^Tirtha. Therefore, by just erecting screen walls connecting the boulders and the tank, the whole valley could be protected. Thus after having studied the entire configuration of the hill and its immediate surroundings, the architect has selected this spot for having the main entrance, which can be approached only through the narrow entrance No.1. If the entrance No.1 is closed, the enemy finds it almost impossible to get entry into the fort in the normal way. The only one way that is open to him is to scale the hill and the fort wall which was certainly well guarded. An intelligent look with this explanation into the map clearly brings home the thoughtful clever planning of the entrances by the architect.

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Entrance No. 2

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The entrance 2 has got well designed gateway (Fig. 24); upto a distance of 3 m the fort walls on the both sides are thick and from this point there is an oblique flight of steps leading to the main entrance of the fort, No. 3. The main entrance is worthy of note, has a narrow way leading to a wider passage, having guard room on both sides. It is particularly noteworthy that the facade of the guard room is not in alignment with the walls of the closed passage in the front.

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On either side of the main entrance (Fig.24) the hill is steeply slopy and high; here only through this entrance one can pass into the citadel proper. The guard room is rectangular on plan with three pillars abutting the back wall in the rear. The pillars are heavy squarish, plain with plain pitha and plain brackets. From the passage is a natural path in the valley leading north-westwards and then northwards, and takes right angular turn westwards to another gate. The passage is provided with flight of steps here and there and then wherever absolutely necessary. At the point 'c' (Fig. 23) about 35 m from the point where the passage takes northward turn is a steep deep narrow valley on either side eastwards and westwards. If the westward narrow valley is followed it bifurcates into two passages both leading to the spot where the inscription of Pulikeshi I is located. The passage that branches off like an arm terminates with brick revetment from which point one can get the clear view of the inscription. The passage running westwards is also narrow valley with the steep hills on the both sides that provide the other end a fine view of the temple called Lower Śivālaya.

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Before we examine the entrance No.4, some observations regarding the entrance No. 3 are worthy of note. As mentioned above, it is particularlynoteworthy that the facade of the guard room is not in alignment with the walls of the closed passage in the front, and the entrance is smaller in width than the passage on the interior, with the guard rooms. While ascending the flight of steps to reach the entrance and even at the entrance proper, one normally does not get the view of the guard rooms on the other side. This is really significant from the point of defence. Enemy who does not know the strategic intricacies of the fort cannot get the idea about the existence of guard rooms even at the entrance. If his contingents advance they are attacked on the way, by the soldiers in the guard rooms.

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Incidentally, it may be recalled here that on the left side of the narrow passage from the entrance No. 3, is a narrow way up marked by flight of steps of irregular blocks that leads to an open flat land of small area on the hill; and it is here are the two pillared mantapas which practically served as watch-towers.

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Entrance No. 4 (Fig.25) and (Illn.C.3) has two Saiva Dwarapalas on the sides with sculptured panel above the door way in the top right corner. These Saiva Dwārapālas are, indeed of the early phase of early Chālukyas. But the entrance seems to have undergone renovation. From this entrance after a few metres, there are two passages towards the south and the other towards the North. The southward passage actually opens into a small open land where lower Śivālaya is located. The Northward passage is actually opens into a small open land where lower Śivālaya is located. The northward passage is actually a narrow passage in the valley ascending upwards. At the point C (Fig.23), 100 m away from the entrance No. 4, there is another narrow natural passage running westwards that actually leads to the precipitous edge of the hill. At this edge one can have commanding view of Mālegitti Śivālaya at the lower part of the hill. Here the fort had been renovated during the time of Tippu Sultān by providing a circular wall of ashlar masonry with flight of steps on the east. There are two heavy guns placed on pivot points that must have been placed in this circular bastion soon after the renovation of the bastion (Fig.33).

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If the passage is followed northwards from this turning point at C, after traversing a distance of 50 m, it takes eastward turn. Here at this point a wall is constructed in between two huge rocks across, with a small entrance (Fig.26) which is plain. The passage from this point runs rather zig-zag in between rocks and finally leads to the top moat land of the hill. On this land is a temple called Upper Sivalaya, definitely of the early phase of the early Chalukyan, which is in dilapidated condition. Near the Sivalaya is a structure of ashlar masonry with lime mortar plaster, definitely of the period of Tippu Sultan. Prior to this later structure on the sides of the passage some metres after the entrance No. 5 are two circular barrel like hollow structures; these are believed to be the granaries, but really speaking their functions are not clearly known. One of them has a narrow opening that provides a clear view of the interior. The interior is deeper from the ground level outside.

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To the east of the Sivalaya is a modern Durghah. The whole undulated rocky area to the North-East of the Sivalaya seems to be the place of occupation of the rulers of the Early Chalukya dynasty. Near the north-east edge of the hill is a thin layer of ashy earth containing lots of potteries of post Vijayanagara period and of medieval times, and, it is particularly noteworthy, of the period between 2nd and 10th century A.D.

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It is at this point the hill gradually slopes, where the fort has an opening leading to the cause-way. Entrance No. 6 (Fig.23) is approached by descending steps. As already mentioned above, it is doubtful, if there was any opening there originally. However, the construction of the cause-way across the valley over a long distance leading to another hill range on the other side of which is Mahākuṭa; thus it suggests that there might be a secret narrow opening meant to be used only by the trusted ones.

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Such in considerable detail is the description of the fort and its related parts of the period of the Bādāmi Chālukyas. A study of the net work of the narrow deep passages in the hill plateau, it is now quite clear, had been fully taken into account by the builders of the fort. A stranger certainly would get lost in some of these narrow passages, who could easily be preyed upon by the guards-men, from the top of the boulders. One is reminded of what is described as Chakravyūha in Mahābhārata created by strategic alignment of the army; but here the hill is endowed with so many narrow deep passages that confuse any stranger. Comparatively speaking it is this hill that had been therefore selected after studying the whole area including the surroundings and the ranges of the hills on the other sides of the valleys; thus this fort is an excellent and perhaps unique illustration of Giridurga type of fort of the Early period.

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Bādāmi : Fort

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