Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c19: Chapter - X

Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c19

Language: English

c19.s1 The Weapons — 1 part
c19.s2 The Second Stage: (The Bādāmi Chālukyas) — 8 parts
c19.s3 The Fifth Stage: (Vijayanagara and the Deccan Sultanate Stage): — 6 parts
c19.s4 A Civilian fort architecture — 19 parts

Chapter - X

c19.1

The development of fort architecture through the histo-rical times After having critically studied the locations, the layout and the architecture of the principal forts of different periods in different geographical conditions, it is now useful to examine the development of fort architecture, for the development essentially is in relation to the geographical condition on the one hand and the progress in the methods of war through the ages on the other. These two factors therefore have their role in the architectural type of the forts.

c19.2

The forts studied above are located in three distinct regions: (1) the thickly forested region receiving heavy rain fall, (2) Hilly Maidān area and (3) Plain Maidān area. Secondly, the forts in date range from the 1st century A.D.

c19.3

to the 16th century A.D.; consequently there must be distinct developments in the fort architecture studied above.

c19.4

Further, the forts in the capitals dating from the early Kadambas to the Ādil Shahis may be taken as representing distinct stages in the development of the fort architecture. For, these are in the imperial capitals built by the emperors, naturally, therefore, the constructions would reflect the highly advanced stage of the best available technique by the great genius of the respective periods.

c19.5

The Early Stage: (The Early Kadambas of Banavāsi and Hāngal):

c19.6

The early forts in Banavāsi (Fig. 6) and Hāngal (Fig. 52) are located in typical Malnad area. The raw material used is therefore essentially mud. Only for hearting (Fig. 10 and Fig. 55) occasionally either burnt bricks or the cut laterite stone blocks are used. Secondly, the layout of the forts (Fig. 7 and Fig. 53) is generally in a more naturally protected areas such as deep bend of the rivers with the elevated spots. Thirdly, the fort walls (Illn. A2) were further strengthened by the growth of forest on them, which holds firmly the earth. Fourthly, the plans of the forts are quite simple; and have straight direct entrances across the moat, well guarded then by soldiers. These features are well illustrated in the early parts of the forts at Banavāsi and Hāngal.

The Weapons

c19.s1.1

From a study of the sculptural panels of the first few centuries of the Christian era, we find that the traditional types of weapons such as long swords with thin or wide blades and distinct hilt, mace and axes, spears, bow and arrow etc. (Fig. 94) were the most common. An army in a commanding position can face the enemy with such weapons. The forts at Banavāsi and Hāngal (enclosure No.I) are essentially devised for the traditional warfare.

The Second Stage: (The Bādāmi Chālukyas)

c19.s2.1

In the next stage during the 6-8th centuries A.D., the Chālukyan fort at Bādāmi (Fig.21) displays considerable advancement in the architecture. The very selection of the area for the construction of the fort (Fig.22 and Fig. 23) on steep sided hill tops indicates considerable advancement in war techniques. Of course, there are no direct evidences to have a clear idea about the actual devices used. However, the sculptural representations (Fig.95) show a variety of weapons of each class. The swords are much more heavy and arrows are like harpoons even more effective, for once a soldier is struck with an arrow, removal of that would only mean excessively painful and even fatal. This is an improved type of bow. Similarly are three pronged spears i.e. trisula. A heavy thick rope tied with an iron chunk with pointed pins is another type of powerful weapons found in sculptures, therefore, the soldiers in protection will have to be far above the horizons of such attacks. On the exterior side of wall are rectangular type of bastions at regular intervals. Further, the soldiers could gather in groups in required number at regular intervals on the top of the bastions. The Bādāmi fort is not provided with parapet (Fig.30) or Kanguras, perhaps for the reasons that the height of the hill is so much that enemies cannot aim correctly at the protecting soldiers.

c19.s2.2

The entrances are much more massive and intricate provided with guard-rooms. Without prior knowledge of the plan of the entrance enemy could be easily caught and he finds his end there. Even the interior is naturally beset with zig-zag narrow passages so much so enemies, if they succeed to get into the fort, get scattered because of the diverse zig-zag ways.

c19.s2.3

Thus what we find here in this stage the use of the natural protective intricacies in a most intelligent way and providing of bastions on the exterior for regular watch.

c19.s2.4

The Third stage: (The Rāṣtrakūta Period)

c19.s2.5

The third stage is represented by the fort in Malkhed. The very location (Fig.34) of the fort in the plain area indicates that there was a considerably distinct advancement in war techniques, for the natural protective devices that could be made use of in the earlier two stages represented by the forts in Banavāsi and Bādāmi, would be of not much avail. The later Rāṣṭrakūṭa fort in Malkhēḍ is located in the plain field (Fig. 35). On the other hand, artificial technical devices had to be evolved to meet the developing challanges such as deep wide moats, more bastions, more than one walls, more intricate entrances (Illn. D2) equipped with strong bastions (Fig. D3) at the very entrances. All these are evident in the remnants of the Rāṣṭrakūṭa fort.

c19.s2.6

However, if the original part of the Rāṣṭrakūṭa fort located in the plains had any protective parapet walls at the top frontage, is not clear, for the upper parts of the fort here as well as in Raichur (*Annual Report of Archaeological Department of His Exalted Highness, Nizam's Dominions [1929-30]*, Fig. on last page) [Fig. 100] are so much di^sturbed that it is not possible to ascertain reliably this feature. But probably during this period and especially in view of its location in the plain field, this particular feature of architecture must have been developed. For fortunately there are three Veeragals: two from Hangal (Illns. J2 and J3) and one from Laxmēśvar (Illn. J4). In them, datable to C. 12th century A.D. the forts of respective places distinctly provided with parapet walls comprising kanguras, are depicted. Also, these Veeragals give us fairly good idea on various types of weapons used, such as swords and spears, shields of various types, daggers, bow and arrows, horses, elephants etc. The traditional description of an army i.e. Chaturangabala is reflected in the depictions. But a careful analysis of weapons depicted in hundreds of Veeragals, some of them being very rich in details, still reflect the traditional equipments, but of different varieties.

c19.s2.7

The Fourth Stage: (The Chālukyas of Kalyāna and the Kadambas of Hāngal):

c19.s2.8

It is in view of these facts, therefore, even in the next stage i.e. the Chalukyas of Kalyana and the Kadambas of Hangal, the forts do not reflect any distinct advancement in their architectural devices, as for example illustrated by those at Kalyāṇa in the plain Maidān area (Fig. 43) and Hāngal in the Malnād area (Fig. 52). So far the Malnad area is concerned understandably earthen forts are common, with slopy sides and rounded top (Fig. 56). Originally, there were probably jungle growths on them. In Kalyāṇa, the available part is too fragmentary to have a fairly good idea about the plan and elevation (Figs. 44 and 45) of the fort. So is the case with the fort at Lakkuṇḍi; the bastions continued to be rectangular in plan.

The Fifth Stage: (Vijayanagara and the Deccan Sultanate Stage):

c19.s3.1

In the fifth stage i.e. the last stage of our study, we have two distinct developments in the fort architecture. One is more traditional but better carefully planned (Fig.58), as represented in the fort in Vijayanagara (i.e. Hampi), the other is much different and shows a considerably distinct and noteworthy changes especially in the use of materials (Fig. 67) and in planning the gateways.

c19.s3.2

Why did Vijayanagara still continue to be traditional while its contemporary Sultanate fort showed better advancement?

c19.s3.3

The probable answer is this. The gradual rise of the Vijayanagara kingdom into an empire during the 14th and 15th centuries in the south and likewise the rise up of the kingdoms of the Deccan Sultanates such as the Ādil Shāhis of Bijapur etc. in the 14th century witnessed the use of highly advanced war equipments (Fig.98) such as moveable and immoveable guns (Fig.97) and rifles. These changes are due to the extraneous incursions such as the mughals in the north and the Portuguse and the Dutch in the South.

c19.s3.4

Gradually local techniques of preparation of gunpowder and manufacture of rifles and guns also were developed. In view of these far more distructive weapons (Fig.97) both in range and proportion, the fort architecture had to undergo striking development. These developments are clearly evident in the Muslim fort at Bījāpur, a seat of one of the most powerful Deccan Sultanates. The fact that the Bījāpur fort in plain field makes all the more necessary arrangements to make it impregnable in the face of the use of such powerful weapons. The walls are very high and thick, with wall-walk (Illn. H2) all along, and are of ashlar masonry. The lime mortar used is of very tenacious nature, and the bastions (Illn. H3) in the fort are mounted with mighty guns of wide range. Besides, all the entrances are provided with imposing strong bastions (Illn. H1) barbicans and guard-rooms, magazines for preparing gun-powder and devices that would mislead entering enemies to fatal end, although equipped with rifles etc. Further, in the kanguras of the parapet wall two rows of three of each loop-holes are provided with. The three loop-holes cover a range of 120 together wide. But on the interior there is only one row of the three loop-holes. Each loop-hole is constructed in such a way that it should open to the two loop-holes from the middle of the core on the exterior. A rifle can be placed through each loop-hole at two angles: one making 30 and another 60 at the ground level i.e. for long and short range shooting; and between the kanguras a soldier hiding himself behind the kanguras can aim his rifle at the enemies, who are very close to the fort wall! Now, these loop-holes in kanguras are meant for placing the rifles in position to shoot enemies at ground level outside. The upper row of loop-holes is meant for long range shooting while the lower for short range shooting. When enemies start charging towards fort, they move fast and if some manage to escape and move further fast towards the fort, they may be hit by the rifle of short range at the foot of the fort wall. Thus, enemies at long or short distances and within any range can be attacked with rifles by the soldiers at parapet. We have thus discussed in detail the intricate devices of Bijāpur fort.

c19.s3.5

Quite in contrast to the Bijāpur fort, the fort in Vijayanagara i.e. Hampi (Fig.58) still was in the traditional style, especially in its type of entrances (Fig.59, Fig.61 and Fig. 62) construction of walls. For the very location of the fort is so difficult of access for enemies who intended to carry heavy guns. Secondly, as per the descriptions and some remnants of the forts described above, there were seven concentric fort walls in the hilly region only and the Vijayanagara soldiers (Illn. J1) too were equipped with rifle etc. But it is not evident that they like their Muslim counter-parts had heavy guns. In spite of the fact that the Muslims had heavy guns and advanced layout of the fort, the Vijayanagara rulers did not seem to have been perturbed, for they probably realised clearly that transport of heavy guns in the out of way areas in the hilly regions with reasonable speed was practically well nigh impossible. Further, enemies with such equipments had to break off many forts before they could reach the citadel. It is these natural protective gifts and their laborious and elaborate planning of series of forts that made them to feel more than a match.

c19.s3.6

On the whole, we find the four chief distinct stages in the development of fort architecture in response to the ecological conditions on one hand and developing military techniques on the other.

A Civilian fort architecture

c19.s4.1

The architecture of the forts of all the stages discussed above is of those in the capital cities of big kingdoms. But the fortification (Fig.16) at Sannati is of civilian type. The type of walls (Fig.17 and Fig.19) without bastions and moats on the exterior and the simple plain and straight entrances show clearly that the fortifications are not planned to face enemies for political gains or victory. They are more in the nature of protective walls from sudden attack of looters and powerful animals etc. Probably, the entrances were provided with strong heavy wooden doors, which were kept closed and guarded in times of danger and nights.