Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c16.s5.t3.10

c16.s5.t3.10

On the other hand the gateways of the Bijāpur fort have all the architectural devices such as the extraordinarily fortified gate-ways with secret guard-rooms opening into narrow zig-zag passages. Enemies entering through the gateways can be got concentrated and trapped within the barbicans and can be destroyed from the top of the fort. At the top, there is a thick festoon line parapet wall with bastions at required intervals and on the top of the bastions are heavy guns, which have a very wide range so much so all round the fort, to a certain distance outside, the area is well protected from the enemies. The Bijāpur fort, therefore, displays a highly advanced military strategy to face enemies who are well equipped with advanced machinery including guns. The fort, therefore, clearly exhibits a striking and highly developed architectural device in response to the advanced military attacks. Probably it is this aspect of the Vijayanagara fort in relation to that of Bijāpur that accounts as one of the fundamental reasons for its downfall at the hands of the severe Muslim attacks.