Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c9.s2.t3: Climate and Rainfall:
Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c9.s2.t3
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Climate and Rainfall:
c9.s2.t3.1
Geographically the region is divided into three parts, from west to east : The Coastal plains, the Malnāḍ and the Maidān. The climate and the rainfall vary extremely in these parts. The coastal plain, about 35 to 50 km wide, spreads from the sea border towards the Western Ghat area of Sahyādri. The rainfall here is very heavy about 300 to 400 cms annually. In the Malnāḍ area also the rainfall is heavy i.e. 100 cms to 200 cms per annum.
c9.s2.t3.2
The Maidān area forming the major part of the North Karṇāṭaka, has scantly rainfall. The rainfall in this area ranges from 40 cms to 60 cms. The soil, the wood, the waters and stones played thus in their respective areas, vital role in the history of North Karṇāṭaka, as elsewhere, and have served as the fundamental materials for the construction of any structure: domestic, religious, secular and defensive. Now, so far our study is concerned it is strikingly note worthy that the region has been since ages long exceedingly favourable for the habitat of man and in historical times for the rise of political powers. The region occupies a strategic position in the lower Deccan forming a favourable high way between the Gōdāvari-Narmadā region and the deep south.
c9.s2.t3.3
The thick forests located close to the coastal strip with flourishing ports and with rich mineral potential, the hill ranges especially of the peninsular gneissic complex and of the sedimentary rocks providing naturally secure deep and wide valleys and the castellated terraces, the perennial rivers meanandering over a long distance resulting in deep curves here and there and the favouarte climate and the natural supply of building material of the rock types on tremendously enormous scale obviously had prompted the ambitious rulers to have their capitals in this region repeatedly through ages. Banavāsi located in the thick forest area within the deep curve of the river Varadā, the Bādāmi in the deep valley of the sand stone hill, Hampi in the highly elevated castellated hills surrounded by the river Tungabhadrā are remarkable instances in this regard.
c9.s2.t3.4
It is these capitals and sub-capitals that have been protected by the artificial forts. Hence, in this region we find forts of the capitals of different periods and of different types and kinds.