Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c12.s5: Additions during the Rāṣtrakūṭa and Kalyāṇa Chālukya periods
Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c12.s5
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Additions during the Rāṣtrakūṭa and Kalyāṇa Chālukya periods
c12.s5.1
As explained above, although Bādāmi lost its status as state capital of the imperial kingdom with the fall of Western Chālukyas, as an important administrative Head quarters, it did continue to flourish. Owing to the sacking of the hill fort at the hands of Narasimhavarman, the Pallava king, the fort probably could not continue to be a strong old in the later days. Hence there arose presumably a necessity to strengthen it and this was effected not by improving the renovated hill fort but by protecting the very first entrance by way of having another guarding fort at the ground level. This fortwall connects the steep side of the North-hill at the south-western point and Agastya tank. The fort wall (Fig.22) has many re-entrant angles but at right angles. This device is different from that of the Hill fort. In the case of the latter, all the angles are usually obtuse as the wall follows the configuration of the hill plateau.
c12.s5.2
The method of making the wall with projections and recesses is obviously for the purpose of more effective defence, for, the whole wall in its entire length is not visible from exterior, from any point. The wall is provided with rectangular bastions at regular intervals on the exterior.
c12.s5.3
It is constructed with fairly well-dressed rectangular stone blocks (Fig.29) with clay binding. The sides of the wall are tapering towards the top, rather more steeply (Fig.28). At the ground level and at the top its width is 4 m and 2 m respectively. The total height is 6 m. Thus there is some definite proportion in thinning width and height i.e. 1:2:3. The core of the wall consists of earth and rubble stones.
c12.s5.4
The wall is provided with two gateways (Fig.22) one looking south and another looking west. The former appears to be the main entrance comparatively and faces the celebrated Layaṇas on the opposite steep side of the south-hill.
c12.s5.5
There are at present no indications to ascertain, if there was any moat on the outside. However, it is quite likely, there was probably no moat for the fort, raised through the city.
c12.s5.6
The Gateways (Fig.32)
c12.s5.7
The gateway (Fig.32) looking south is imposing wide and high. The door frame is enclosed partly by the projecting walls on the sides acting as buttresses. These buttresses are 2 m wide and 4 m long. The gateway actually is a pillared maṇṭapa with four pillars at the corners. The ceiling is set in the pattern of a star. The side walls have about 50 cms deep recess, and 3.75 (m) wide. In the interior abutting the eastern side of eastern projection is a flight of steps leading to the top of the wall. Provision of flight of steps on this side has been wisely calculated. The flight of steps is not readily visible even after entering into the fort.
c12.s5.8
The other gateway (Fig.23) looking west is simply a narrow passage, almost diagonally opposite to the entrance No.1 of the hill fort. The simplicity and narrow width of this passage in contrast to the majestic gateway looking south facing the Layanas already indicate that the former is meant for people and latter for the people of the royal family and high officials.
c12.s5.9
The plan of the erection of the wall at the strategic point protecting effectively entrance No.1 of the hill-fort, indicates careful selection of this spot for the maximum benefit with the minimum effort.
c12.s5.10
The above description is based on the extant remains of the fort and the ground plan of it that was published by the superintendent, Archaeological Survey, Western Circle, Poona, (22.8.1923) and the Survey Plan of Bādāmi, showing caves and temples around the tank (Sheet No.1496). Now, the northern wing and a part of western wing of the fort are not practically existing; and in that area are found many houses.
c12.s5.11
Even when the fort was raised there must have been residential buildings outside it; this is suggested by the existence of some temples, Dattātraya, Yellamma temples of the period of 11th century A.D. Thus essentially the fort was meant for the protection of the administrative unit. Therefore, the fort wall still continued to be a citadel in function.