Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c19.s2.6

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.