Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c15.s1: The Fort in Basava Kalyāṇa

Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c15.s1

Language: English

c15.s1.t1 The Enclosure wall to the fort — 47 parts

The Fort in Basava Kalyāṇa

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About 1/4 of the kilometre, north of Basava Kalyāṇa, on a natural eminence is located the ancient fort. Kalyāṇa (Fig. 43) was the capital of the later Chālukyas from the last quarter of 10th century A.D., almost upto the end of 13th century A.D. (i.e. 975-1290 A.D.). It played politically important role in the history of medieval Deccan.

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The area of Kalyāṇa, as a part of the Deccan region has a past history of many a ruling dynasty from the very early days, though it came to prominence only from the 10th century onwards. In the ancient past in the 3rd century B.C., this region along with other parts of the Deccan formed a part of the Mauryan empire, though there are no direct evidences to say so, but there is an important Asokan inscription at Maski in the District of Raichur further south of Bidar District, testifying to the area being virtually part of his empire. The region subsequently, appears to have come to lime light under the influence of Buddhism as indicated by the Buddhist remains at Sannati. Undoubtedly, further the area was a part of Sātavāhana kingdom political centre of which was Pratiṣṭhānpura (Paithan). To the north of Kalyāṇa, traditionally, this area of Kalyāṇa had contacts with the Kadambas of Banavāsi, and during the period of Chālukyas of Bādāmi, 5th to 8th century A.D., it came under their direct sway as the Chālukyan rule extended farther far beyond in the north upto the Narmada. Later, the Rāṣṭrakūṭas initially from Velāpur, Ellora in Mahārāṣṭra, and subsequently from Mānyakhēṭa, Malkhed in Gulbarga not very far off from Kalyāṇa, ruled practically the whole of the Deccan and naturally the Kalyāṇa area became the part of the core of the empire, during the 8th to 10th century. Now during the period of the rise of the later Chālukyas, with the establishment of their political power from the late 10th century upto the end of the 12th century, Kalyāṇa was made its capital. This period contributed original fort layout and major fortificational activity of Hindu order, while the subsequent period with external incursions witnessed a substantial alterations and modifications thereat, of Muslim style. Kalyāṇa remained as the capital of the Kalachūris also, upto 1283 A.D. Following the invasion of Malik-Kafur in 1308–1310 A.D., the fortune and political importance of Kalyāṇa went into the hands of Muslims, whose hub of the political activities became Devagiri and further with the passage of time it lost its importance and grandeur and thus sank into oblivion. It further, in the late medieval period remained as a small Headquarters of Muslim feudatories of the Tughluks, the Barīd Shāhs, the Mughals, the Marāthās and the Nizāms.

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Although the fort (Illn. B.3) is located on an eminence actually, the fort is not visible from the ground level, from a distance of one and a half kilometres, away. Within a radius of about 3 to 5 kilometres from the fort, the ground level gradually depresses towards the fort. Thus, the area where the fort is located is at the lowest level in relation to the surrounding area. In consideration of this natural physical feature of the whole area the depression has been thoughtfully selected, for, it is not easily visible from a distance; secondly, in the depression, there is a distinct eminence suitable for construction of the fort, as it will not be affected from the inflow of the water towards the depression. Further, this natural facility could be used for getting water into the moat without much effort. Also, the fort cannot be readily sighted from a distance.

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At present, the fort consists of three concentric irregular fort-walls, (Fig. 44 & Fig. 45) constructed in different periods. The middle one is the oldest and of the period of the Kalyāṇa Chālukya; the inner most was probably of the Sultanate-Mughal period; and the outermost was probably of the later or post Mughal period. Let us now study the Architecture in accordance with the chronological order of the construction of the fort walls.

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The Middle Fort

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The fort is almost symmetrically oval in plan, oriented north-south (Fig. 44). It measures interiorly 230 metres north-south, 200 m east-west. It has a very imposing intricate main entrance (Fig. 49) in the middle of the eastern side. There are twelve circular bastions at regular intervals almost. However, some bastions are at unequal distances (Fig. 44). The bastions are solid upto the ground level (Fig. 48). On the interior and from above the ground level, the bastions have only a parapet wall. The bastions generally are 15 to 20 metres in diameter. The wall on the inner side of the bastion is not curved but rectangular with two openings at the junction of the fort wall and the wall of the bastion on the both sides. In the centre of each bastion, there is another bastion smaller in diameter (4.00 m). The top of the bastion is accessible from a flight of steps attached to it, invariably on the inner side. The flight of steps is accessible from the openings on the inner side of the hollow bastion.

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At the top of the bastion, (Height: 2.00 m and Diam. 6.00 m) is again a parapet wall systematically broken at regular intervals (1.50 mt high). At the centre is placed a metal gun on a pivot,which could be aimed through the openings, by moving the gun on the pivot to the extent of 30° each time; the gun thus ranges from 90° from one point to another (Illn. B4).

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Now, the wall, on observation at the lower level to a height of 2 metres, consists of huge boulders, roughly cut and of varying sizes with mud mortar as binding material. The upper part of the wall is of ashlar masonry of well cut stones with lime mortar as cementing material, so constructed on the lower wall, leaving an offset on outside of about 2.25 m. wide. The width of the upper wall can alone be now known i.e. about 3 metres.

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On the exterior side of the wall is a moat of about 30 m and 10 m deep (Fig. 45 & Illn. E3). The main gate-way is accessible by a cause-way, across the moat, which is oblique.

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The cause-way to the main entrance is obviously made oblique in order to check the quick movement of the in-coming army (Fig. 48 & Illn. E1).

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The main entrance (Figs. 48 and 49) now extant is from the above the level of the off-set of the fort wall. It has two circular bastions on the sides of ashlar masonry with lime mortar as binding material. The bastion has two horizontal off-sets almost at regular intervals. The entrance is 2.15 m wide and 5.00 m high, having wooden doors. The imposing wooden door, has horizontal rows of strong iron spikes from the bottom to the top. The top is semi-circular. There is also a small opening in the left door, with shutter for entrance for common people, since the main door usually remains closed.

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The entrance (Fig. 48) leads to inner passage, 2.50 m wide, flanked by two guard-rooms on each side, (1.50 x 1.50 m each guard room). The passage leads to a barbican, which is rather narrow. On the other side of the guard-room, on the north side in the interior are three rooms for another set of watch and ward. The barbican leads to a narrow passage in between two circular bastions. At the top of the bastions are the loop-holes. Suppose, the enemy soldiers enter into barbican, their quick movement is checked by the narrow passage in between the two bastions. In the mean while, the soldiers from the top of the bastions, through the loop-holes, can effectively attack the enemy soldiers gathered in the barbican. From the narrow passage, the way is led to rather rectangular open space, that leads to another entrance looking north (Ent. IV & Illn. E2). Thus, the main entrance and the interior entrance are not in alignment. This entrance leads to another barbican, which is actually on the interior side of the fort wall, abutting southern bastion of the middle entrance IV (Fig. 48).

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From the entrance IV (Fig. 50), the barbican leads to a flight of steps which in turn leads to a passage having guard rooms on the sides and finally to an open space in the interior. The entrance leading to the second barbican is flanked by two bastions. On the other side of the western bastion, is a magazine. Opposite to the passage from the flight of steps is a pillared hall commanding the view of the entrance V.

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The access to the Bārūd Khānā (Magazine) is actually by a flight of steps located in the III barbican, and abutting the wall of the V entrance. Thus, the approach to the Bārūdkhānā has been very well safe guarded by the guard-rooms opposite to it and from the entrance No.V. Further, from the barbican III, is a passage by a flight of steps to another entrance i.e. No.VI. In between the barbican III and the entrance VI, there is a zig-zag wall connecting the guard rooms facing the entrance V and the entrance VI, near the flight of steps, from the Barbican III, is a war drum base (Fig. 50).

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On either side of the zig-zag wall are the ruins of rectangular structures; they are described, as officers' quarters. Located near the main entrance, the whole area, with the Officers' quarters round the inner most fort, is more or less in the same level.

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Described above, the fort, with the moat around is the earliest, probably belonging to Kalyan Chalukyan period; and in the central part of the fort (Fig.45), there must have been important mansions, including possibly the palace complex, temples etc. but this fort was destroyed owing to Muslim invasions carried out by Malik-Kafur (C.1310 A.D.); immediately after the fall of the Kalyana Chalukyas and the fort fell in to ruins (Desai,P.B., ^et al. 1970 PP. 239-40 and Yazdani,G., 1960, pp. 3-4).

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Later, when again the place was made the Head Quarters of Muslim chieftain (Mishra Nandan, (Ed), 1966, Re-print,P.147) during the period of Mohammad Bin Tughaluk, and later during the time of the Moghul emperor Aurangzeb¹, the fort was renovated.

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¹ The persian inscription fixed into the wall of the masjid on the top of table land in the citadel refers to the construction of the masjid and renovation of the fort by Aurangzeb, in 1669 A.D. This information was gathered by me from Dr.Kulkarni,V.S. during exploration.

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By way of renovations and additions, the bastions accessible by flight of steps, were strengthened by the provision of inner top bastions fitted with, gun pivot points. The ruined walls were raised by leaving an offset. The raised walls were of ashlar masonry.

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The Entrances from II to VI, provision of guard rooms, round bastions with stately wooden doors armoured with iron spikes for the III entrance, the battlements at the top, crenellations, magazines, pillared-guard-rooms, all described above, were all gradually constructed in the course of renovation works.

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The ruins of structures in the central part had formed a prominent mound and the central area was used during the Sultanate period, after making the above renovations.

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Further, this elevated central part was again renovated by having citadel wall round the elevated part, and many structures within it were raised. Thus, the citadel is on the top most part of the fort; i.e. 10 metres from above the ground level.

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The Citadel

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From the open space, within the fort, behind the magazine and on the northern side of the wall, connecting the guard-rooms and the citadel, is a flight of steps leading to the barbican V, through a gate-way. On the inner side of the gate-way, to the left is a flight of steps leading to the top of the wall. From the barbican to the officers quarters, is a gate-way in southern part of the wall. Near this gateway and the entrance VI, are circular bastions. One of them, on the southern orientation is called "Khadak Bijli Burj". These bastions have parapet wall, provided with loop-holes at regular intervals, together with battlements. Thus, both the entrances are guarded well.

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From the barbican, there is a flight of steps leading to the inner part of the citadel, through the gate-way VII, (Fig.51). The flight of steps is curved abutting the circular bastion i.e. Khaḍak Bijli Burj, which is opposite to the bastion, in front of the flight of steps to the gateway VI (Fig. 51).

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The circular bastion is connected to the other circular bastion guarding the gateway to the officers' quarters, with a wall in between, provided with loop-holes at the top, at regular intervals.

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The wall in between the two bastions, the bastions and the wall skirting the flight of steps from the bastion near the entrance VI (Fig.51) are provided with loop-holes at the top. Thus, the entrance VI, the entrance to the officers quarters, the barbican, the flight of steps and the entrance VII (Fig. 51) are all well protected.

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Entrance VII is the main and only one entrance to the citadel (Encl.III). The citadel (i.e. inner most encl.III, Fig.44) which is irregularly oval in plan, is completely of ashlar masonry. It has in addition to the bastions referred to above, seven bastions at varying intervals. The bastions are circular in plan, and each of them has a smaller circular upper storey, provided with pivot points of guns. The central upper bastions have flight of steps leading to the pivot points. The citadel has a parapet wall at the top and battlements, alternately at irregular intervals. The entire screen walls and the bastions are uniformly of ashlar masonry, unlike the outer fort wall. On the screen wall, commanding the view of officers' quarters, and the screen wall looking north-west wards, are crenellations (Illn. E2).

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The entrance VII, as mentioned above, leads to the interior of the citadel. Almost exactly facing to the entrance No.VII, is a temple of mortar masonry, with well carved stone-door-frame. The temple is in ruins (Fig.51).

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In front of the temple, is a path across, one leading south-wards to the palace complex, known as 'Rāj-Mahal' and another, leading to northwards to 'Darbar Hall' (Fig.44 & Fig.51).

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The important monuments in ruins round the temple are, a spacious structure abutting the inner side of the screen wall near the entrance, a mosque with minarets at the corners and the dome at the centre, on the other side of the entrance a dancing hall/known as 'Rangīn Mahal' attached to the palace complex, which faces the mosque, and a Darbar pillared Hall behind the palace (Fig. 44).

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There is a water well in between Darbar Hall and the structure abutting the screen wall.

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All these structures are of mortar masonry and architecturally Indo-Islamic. They were, therefore, raised when the citadel was renovated and used by the Muslim Chieftains. They were raised on the ruins obviously of the earlier structural remains belonging to the Kalyan chalukyan period.

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It is, thus, noteworthy that there are no visible remains in the citadel part, of the earlier citadel of the Kalyāna Chālukyas.

The Enclosure wall to the fort

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During the period of Nizam's rule, this fort was brought under their control in the course of the wars between the Nizāms and Marathās headed by Bālāji Bājirāo, in 1740-1761 A.D. (Telang,K.T., 1961, pp. 54-56 and 59). Then thereafter, an enclosure wall was raised along the outer edge of the moat (Enclosure I of Figs. 44 and 45). It is oval in plan and rather irregularly polygonal in design, making 13 angles. It measures on its axis 300 metres North-south and 270 metres east-west. The moat, therefore, is enclosed by the wall and is not visible from outside.

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At the point where the oblique cause-way is provided across the moat, to the original fort, a gate-way (Fig. 47) is provided in the enclosure wall and the gate-way is enclosed on the outside by a barbican (Fig.44). The barbican has entrance gate (Fig.46) on the south (i.e. entrance I). Within the barbican, in between its entrance and the entrance of the enclosure (i.e. entrance II), there are two structures namely a pillared maṇḍapa and a masjid, (Fig.44).

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At the lintel level of the entrance I to the barbican, is a Persian inscription,¹ which mentions the date of the construction of the gate-way i.e. 1795 A.D. The interior of the area of the barbican is 50 metres north-south and 45 metres east-west. On the interior wall of the barbican is a row of Dalāns in ruins. All these are of ashlar masonry with lime mortar as binding material. The walls of the barbican are simple and plain.

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¹ In the course of exploration, the inscription in set in the wall above the gate, was personally read by my friend and the date pertains to the Nizam's Period.

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The enclosure wall (Fig. 44, Encl.I) has wall-walk at the top. There is a parapet wall along the edge of outer wall. At the parapet wall, at regular interval, are loop-holes. On the interior, at seven points close to the bends are flight of steps, leading to the moat, which is between 10-12 metres, below the level of the wall-walk (Fig.45). It may be noted here that there are no bastions at the angular points or gun-points (Fig. 44).

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The circumstance that led to the creation of an enclosure wall round the moat may be explained as follows:

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In the earlier days i.e. during the early Mughal period, the skin-boats for crossing moats were in use. Such skin-boats are easily portable. Enemies, therefore, could easily use such boats in those days for crossing moats. On the other hand, in the ancient period, usually elongated, fish like wooden boats were in use; such boats were not easy for transport. With the invention of the circular skin-boats, that could be taken easily from place to place (Illn.D.5) the effective check that a moat offered for the quick onward march of the enemies had been much weakened. Therefore, in order to avert the possible in-effective functioning of the moat, this enclosure wall was raised.

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Enemies, thus, could find their way with great difficulty, through the gate where there is the cause-way. It is suggested here that the cause way might have been replaced by a sturdy drop-gate. In times of danger, the drop-gate could be lifted up, so much so, the connection between the enclosure wall and the fort-wall could be severed. The inaccessible moat now cannot be crossed easily. But at present, no material evidences or literary references, to such devices, in response to the conjectural circumstances, are available.

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The soldiers, protecting the fort, can cross the moet reaching flight of steps at different points and get on to the wall-walk to be at assigned spots. And from wall-walk, through the slits in the parapet, the guns can keep enemies at a distance. This is a new device, any way, that we notice only in this fort, and it is really commendable. It speaks of the intelligence of the military engineers in a simple but effective way.

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SCALE 0 60 120 Kms MAHĀRĀṢṬRA BHĪMĀ KĀGINĀ FORT OF KALYĀṆA KRISHNĀ VARADĀ TUNGA BHADRĀ KĀVĒRI GOA ARABIAN SEA KĒRAḶĀ ANDHRA PRADĒSH TAMIL NĀDU Karnāṭaka — LOCATION OF THE FORT OF KALYĀṆA.

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[Figure: PARAPET WALL WALK M O A T SCALE 0 10 20 30 40 m DARBAR HALL TEMPLE RUINS PALACE ENCL III ENCL II ENCL I 30 TO 35 m WELL 30 TO 35 M MOSQUE V VI MAGAZINE RUINS OF OFFICERS' QRTS IV III II I M O A T N S kalyānafort (DIST BIDAR)

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| | NS EW | W | H |
| encl I | 300 x 270 m | 3 | x 10 m |
| encl II | 250 x 200 m | 3 | x 20 m |
| encl III | 150 x 100 m | 3 | x 20 m |

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srj]

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An accurate transcription requires rotating the image 90 degrees clockwise to align with the text orientation:

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- Top-left label: "FIG. 45" (written in the margin)
- Left: "SOUTH"
- Right: "NORTH"
- Below South: "ENCL·I", "ENCL·II"
- Center-top: "ENCL·III"
- Architectural labels: "ENT·VB", "ENT·III", "HOLLOW BASTIONS", "MOAT" (twice), "G.L." (ground level, twice)
- Dimensions: "10·00", "20·00", "30 TO 35 m", "10·00", "300 m", "150·00 m", "230·00 m", "300·00 m", "10·00", "30-35 m", "3·00"
- Main Title at bottom: "KALYĀṆA FORT · SECTIONAL ELEVATION, LOOKING EAST"
- Signature mark at bottom-right: "SKJ"

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Let's format according to the rules:
- Page furniture:

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The diagram itself is an architectural sectional elevation drawing with integrated labels and dimensions, plus its caption:

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KALYĀṆA FORT · SECTIONAL ELEVATION, LOOKING EAST

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Wait, what about the text inside the figure? Figures, plates, maps and drawings: "a line "[Figure: caption as printed]" where the figure stands (only the printed caption or label; empty brackets "[Figure:]" if it has none). Do not describe images."

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So the caption is: `KALYĀṆA FORT · SECTIONAL ELEVATION, LOOKING EAST`

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Is "FIG. 45" a figure label/caption or page furniture? Usually "FIG. 45" is part of the caption or figure reference, but here it's handwritten/stamped/printed at the top margin: "FIG. 45". Wait, let's look at the instruction: "- Page furniture — running head, page number, chapter mark in the margin, printer's signature marks ("B 2", "12*"), library stamps, catchwords — each on its own line starting with "@H "." "SKJ" is the draftsman's initials at the bottom right. That might be a signature mark or part of the plate/figure. Wait, if it's an entire page consisting of a figure: `@H FIG. 45`

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`[Figure: KALYĀṆA FORT · SECTIONAL ELEVATION, LOOKING EAST]`

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`@H SKJ`

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Let's check if "FIG. 45" is caption: Sometimes books have:

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FIG. 45 KALYĀṆA FORT · SECTIONAL ELEVATION, LOOKING EAST

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Wait, "FIG. 45" is at the top left corner, clearly outside the main frame/area, or it's a figure number. In many Indian archaeological books, "FIG. 45" at the top indicates figure number. Wait, if it is the figure caption/label, usually it goes inside `[Figure: ...]`: `[Figure: FIG. 45 KALYĀṆA FORT · SECTIONAL ELEVATION, LOOKING EAST]` or separate? Wait, the caption at the bottom says: `KALYĀṆA FORT · SECTIONAL ELEVATION, LOOKING EAST` And at the top margin: `FIG. 45`

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Let's put `@H FIG. 45` or inside the figure caption? "a line "[Figure: caption as printed]" where the figure stands (only the printed caption or label; empty brackets "[Figure:]" if it has none). Do not describe images."

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If "FIG. 45" is page furniture (like a running figure number at the top of a plate page): `@H FIG. 45` `[Figure: KALYĀṆA FORT · SECTIONAL ELEVATION, LOOKING EAST]` `@H SKJ`

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Wait, could SKJ just be part of the figure or page furniture? Printer's signature mark? No, SKJ is the draftsman (S.K. Joshi, author/illustrator of *Defence Architecture in Early Karnataka*). But putting it as `@H SKJ` or omitting/including? As page furniture, yes: printer's signature marks, chapter marks in margin, etc. go to `@H `.

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Wait, is "FIG. 45" caption? If someone considers "FIG. 45" the figure label, "FIG. 45\nKALYĀṆA FORT..." - but rule says: "a line "[Figure: caption as printed]"" Single line! If "FIG. 45" is part of the caption, it would be `[Figure: FIG. 45 KALYĀṆA FORT · SECTIONAL ELEVATION, LOOKING EAST]`. However, FIG. 45 is placed in the top margin like a running head / plate number. Let's check standard treatment: `@H FIG. 45` `[Figure: KALYĀṆA FORT · SECTIONAL ELEVATION, LOOKING EAST]` `@H SKJ` This completely adheres to all rules without loss of information.@H FIG. 45

Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c15.s1: The Fort in Basava Kalyāṇa

Contents

The Fort in Basava Kalyāṇa

The Enclosure wall to the fort