Chandragiri Fort – History

Chandragiri Fort – History

The Fort was built in 1000 AD in the form of fortifications with bastions and a steep moat. Chandragiri was under the rule of Yadavarayas for about three centuries and came into control of Vijayanagara rulers in 1367. It rose into prominence in 1568 AD and remained as seat of power for the later Vijayanagara kings under whose reign the fortified area was further extended and some of the magnificent buildings and temples were constructed. It came into prominence during Saluva Narasimha Raya.

Later, the most famous Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishna Devaraya, was kept restricted in this fort as a prince, till his coronation at Penukonda. It is also said that he met his future queen Chinna Devi at this fort. Chandragiri was the 4^th capital of Vijayanagara Empire, Rayas shifted their capital to here when Golconda sultans attacked Penukonda. Some of the important Kavyas of Vijayanagara period are said to be composed here. In 1646 the fort was annexed to the Golkonda territory.

Later, tthe Mysore king ordered the Palaygara (feudatory ruler) Bisaya nayaka who took aid from Mysore Kingdom after decline of Vijayanagara Empire. Bisaya Nayaka of Harapanayakanahalli, present Mulbagal Taluk in Kolar District of Karnataka, waged a war against the sultan of Chandragiri fort in which he and his army killed everyone inside the fort who revolted.

There is a myth that only the nose rings collected from dead Muslim women were 3 full bamboo buckets, which is sealed in 2 stone lockers in Kurudumale Village, Karnataka). Later after the death of sultan, it subsequently came under Mysore rule. It went into oblivion from 1792 onward. The fort is the place where the pact of granting lands for Fort St. George to the British was signed during August 1639.