Elgandal Fort is situated in the palm groves on the banks of the Manair River (a tributary of the Godavari River). Elgandal Fort is approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) from Karimnagar on the Kamareddy Road in the Indian state of Telangana.
The Elagandal fort presents amazing picturesque as it is situated in a hillock and presents a view of Elagandal. “Elagandal khilla” is the name of the fort on the hill. The Elagandal fort mesmerizes its tourists with its magnificent views. In the olden days during Kaktiya times, the Elagandal fort was also called Bahudanyapuram and it was called Veliganadu.
The inscription dated 1202 AD found on a stone slab at the Chintamani tank belongs to Chaunda Preggada. He belongs to the Malayala family subordinate to Kakatiya Ganapatideva.
Elgandal Fort is one such structure that takes us to a separate world all by itself. The architecture of the fort is magnificent with big archways, doors, minarets, and water tanks inside the fort.
Once upon a time, Elgandal Fort was a priced possession for any ruler. Today, in the present world, it is one of the must-visit heritage sites near Karimnagar.
Elgandal was a major political center for many kingdoms that witnessed major political dynasties including the Kakatiyas, the Bahmanis, the Qutub Shahis, the Mughals, and the Nizams.
This place is historically important because 5 important dynasties ruled over this place. The antiquities of the place worth mentioning are a fort on a hill.
In 1754 AD, the Brindavan tank on the outside of the eastern gateway of the fort by Zafar-ud-Doula was built. It was built with minarets that oscillate when shaken and tombs of Muslim saints like Syed Shah Munawar Quadri saheb, Doola Shah saheb, Syed Maroof Saheb, Shah Talib Bismilla Saheb, and Vali Hyder saheb.
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On the 11th and 12th days of Moharram every year, the annual Urs of these saints is celebrated by Muslims and Hindus alike with great reverence. People from far-off places participate in it. There are temples of Nelakantha Swamy and Narasimha Swamy on the premises of the Elagandal fort.
Elagandal fort was once under the control of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, the Mughal Empire, and the Nizams of Hyderabad. Elagandal fort was the headquarters of Karimnagar during the Nizam era. People say that a secret tunnel connects Elgandal Fort and Manakondur some 9 kilometers (5.6 mi) from Karimnagar on the Karimnagar-Vemulawada highway.
Elgandal Fort, originally known as Veligundula is a hillfort built during the Kakatiya dynasty (1083–1323). The fort served as a stronghold for the warrior Musunuri Nayaks and Recharla padmanayaks.
In the 16th century, the Qutb Shahi dynasty occupied the fort and Quinamul Mulk was the commander. Later, Elgandal Fort fell under the administrative control of the Mughal Empire.
Amin Khan was appointed as Khiledar of Elagandal during the reign of Nizam of Hyderabad Nizam-ul-Mulk. Followed by Asaf Jah I (r. 1724–1748) and followed by Muqarrab Khan.
Mirza Ibrahim Dhamsa became Khiledar during the Nawab Salabat Jung. In 1754, Dhamsa rebuilt and strengthened the fort during the reign of Sikandar Jha (1803-1823).
Bahadur Khan and Karimuddin served as Khiledars during that time. Karimnagar was named after Karimuddin and reorganized the districts, Mahbub Ali Khan, the Sixth Nizam. They shifted the District Headquarters from Elagandal to Karimnagar in 1905.
Elgandal’s rulers surrounded the fort with a crocodile-filled moat of around 5 meters (16 ft) wide and 4 meters (13 ft) deep to prevent enemy incursions. Elgandal Fort also used to host a mosque and an eidgah, the designated place for special Eid prayers.
Elagandal Fort Timings
Elgandal Fort remains open for public visits on all weekdays, and the time to visit the fort is 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM.
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