[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.joshi-1981) › c19.s3 # Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c19.s3: The Fifth Stage: (Vijayanagara and the Deccan Sultanate Stage): Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c19.s3 - **Language:** English ### The Fifth Stage: (Vijayanagara and the Deccan Sultanate Stage): ### [c19.s3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.joshi-1981.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.joshi-1981.c19.s3.2) Why did Vijayanagara still continue to be traditional while its contemporary Sultanate fort showed better advancement? ### [c19.s3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.joshi-1981.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.joshi-1981.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.joshi-1981.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.joshi-1981.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. ## Linked texts (3) - [Hampi](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.hampi) - [Bijâpur](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.bijapur) - [Vijayanagara](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.vijayanagara) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.joshi-1981.c19.s3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.joshi-1981.c19.s3) · Pramāṇa