Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c12.s4.14

c12.s4.14

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).