Medak Fort is situated in the district of Medak in Telangana. Medak Fort is situated at about a high altitude level. One has to climb more than 500 steps to reach the top of the Medak fort, which was built about 800 years back in Medak, (now in Medak District), the former headquarters of the district. Medak Fort was built about 90 metres height from ground level. It spread in about 100 acres on the hilly area. He this fort attracts the attention of the national and the international level tourists.
Location of Medak Fort
Medak Fort in Medak District of Telangana is located almost 100 kilometres from Hyderabad which is the capital of the state. The fortress was constructed on top of a small hill as it provided strategic advantage to the forces of the Kakatiya Dynasty of Warangal against enemy attacks.
History of Medak Fort
Medak Fort was constructed during the reign of Pratapa Rudra, a Kakatiyan ruler during the 12th century. The citadel was used as a command post by the Kakatiyan royal army. Later it was occupied by the Qutb Shahi dynasty and renovated this old medieval fort. On of the most prominent monuments in the fort is a mosque that was built in the 17th century by the Qutub Shahis. There are also granaries and other important buildings.
Architecture of Medak Fort
Medak Fort consists of three primary gateways, namely Prathama Dwaram, Simha Dwaram and Gaja Dwaram. The Simha Dwaram consists of a sculpture of two roaring lions located at the top of the gate. The Gaja Dwaram includes a sculpture of two elephants that are joined on both sides of the gateway. The main gate displays the double-headed Gandabherundam of the Kakatiya Dynasty. This Gandabherundam is the royal emblem of Vijayanagara Empire that was built by Srikrishna Devaraya of Vijayanagar Empire. There is also a stable in the premises of the fortress. Presently, the structure consists of a cannon which dates back to the 17th century. The length of the cannon is around 3.2 m and it has an inscription of a trident. As Medak Fort is located atop a hillock, the rocky and uneven surface provides natural defence to the fortification. Currently most of the fortress lied in ruins. It is being maintained by the Government of India and the Government of Telangana and is open to visitors and tourists.
