Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c18.s2.t2: The Fortification in Sannati

Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c18.s2.t2

Language: English

The Fortification in Sannati

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The fortification in Sannati seems to represent a proto-type of what has been described in the Mānasāra for a Khēṭa.

Here the ancient Sannati is located within the steep curve of the river Bhīmā. There are two concentric fortification walls. On the river side in between the fortification wall is a brick built Ghāt and there is no moat on the exterior side of the outermost fortification.

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As noted above that Sannati was essentially a place of trade and commerce, and must have been on the ancient trade route between Kānchi and Paithan. Thus in a sense, Mānesāra's theory of Khētedurga (Fig.89) seems to be an idealised form what is there in places like Sannati.

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Again, the location of the stupas away from the fortification area is typical of Buddhist religion. It may be noted here that similar situation is extant at Kārlā, Ajanta, Pithalkhōra etc. Buddhist Chaityālayas, stūpās and Vihāras are generally built away from the habitation area, for the Budhist monks were to carry out the religious practices and study and are not to be disturbed from the din and bustle of the town life. For the purpose of preaching and begging they are expected to visit cities from their place of sojourn. On the other hand in the case of Brahmanical religion temple is the centre of cultural activities, such as imparting of education, trial of cases of judgement, religious discourses, performance of dances and music etc. Naturally, it is advisable that the temple should be at the habitation area so that it is accessible to all people easily. If there was any brahmanical temple in Sannati is to be known only from excavations. The present temple of Chandralāmbā on the river bank away from the outer fortification is of late Rāṣṭrakūṭa, by which time the fortifications were in disuse and the habitation was in the vicinity of the temple.

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The Fort in Hāngal (Fig.53)

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Now, the innermost fort at Hangal comprising Enclosure I and Enclosure II belongs to the Śātavāhana - Kadamba period. Within the inner fortification wall is a temple dedicated to Īśvara almost at the centre. Of course, this temple is of 11-12 century A.D. and the fortifications too had been renovated and are enlarged. However, in view of the copper plate grants of the Banavāsi Krishnavarma-II of the early Kadambas, there should have been brahmin community here well versed in the Vēdas and Sāstras and performing Yajnas (E.I. 1952, Vol.II, No.1, pp. 1ff). Hence, it would not be unreasonable to say that within the inner fort there was a temple during the Sātavāhana - Kadamba period. As the fortification is a little away from the river bank a moat has been provided round the fortification i.e. Enclosure III, which is fed by the Sastrikere and Anekere. The provision of the moats to the fortification indicates the political importance of the place. However, it is essentially of the <ins>Khēṭa type</ins> (Fig.89) of fort of Mānasāra.