Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c16.s5.t3.9

c16.s5.t3.9

The concept and the form of the former are more in the line of those of the forts, excluding later additions and modifications of the proceeding ages i.e. the stone forts in Bādāmi, Malkhēd, Hāngal etc. It becomes evident by considering the lineal development of the style of Vijayanagara that the fort appears to be still traditional but for its extent and certain architectural components crowning the gate-ways. They appear to display more the glory and grandeur to visitors, than strictly for defence purposes. None of the gate-ways of the citadel and those, that are within and without, do not display architectural devices to trap enemies such as zig-zag narrow passages provided with not readily visible guard-rooms. Secondly, the gate-ways are not heavily and boldly fortified by imposing buttresses, rectangular or semi-circular in plan and at the top there is no provision of having a series of kanguras (battlements) helping soldiers to attack the enemies at the ground level at the same time being protected by the battlements from the onslaught of the enemies.