Of Oscillating Towers and Watchdog Gateways

Anshika Rana

Of Oscillating Towers and Watchdog Gateways

Elgandal Fort, located in Telangana, India, is an ancient fort originally built by the Kakatiya dynasty in the 11th century, with later additions by the Qutub Shahi, Mughal, and Nizam rulers. The fort is known for its defensive features such as eight gateways, double fortification walls, and a 12-foot-deep moat filled with crocodiles. It also houses unique religious shrines, including the Alamgir mosque with oscillating minarets. With its rich history and architectural innovations, Elgandal Fort is a remarkable structure to explore.

View from top of Elgandal fort; Source: Andrew Fleming on Twitter

During the era of kingdoms and empires, kings and princesses spared no expense in constructing grand fortresses to secure their power and prestige. These bastions were equipped with novel technologies such as siege engines, drawbridges, arrow slits, spires, and more. They served not only for defense but also to showcase aesthetic beauty and artistic wonder.

But of all the impressive technologies, have you heard of a fort with minarets that oscillate when shaken? And mind you, it's not a flaw in engineering or a compromise in stability and strength. In fact, the fort is renowned for hosting several powerful dynasties throughout history and is considered one of the strongest ramparts of its time. This unique combination of shakiness and strength is the Elgandal Fort.

Situated atop a soaring hill on the banks of the Manair River, a tributary of the Godavari, in Elgandal town in the Karimnagar district of Telangana, the Elgandal Fort is an ancient fort built in the 11th century.

Apart from the temples, the fort also contains tombs and dargahs of Muslim saints such as Syed Shah Munawar Quadri Saheb, Doola Shah Saheb, Syed Maroof Saheb, Shah Talib Bismilla Saheb, and Vali Hyder Saheb. The urs of these saints are celebrated by both Hindus and Muslims on the 11th and 12th days of Moharram. The fort is not only home to dargahs but also to the shrines of Neelakanta and Narasimha Swamy.

Although the fort is currently in a rugged state, it used to be an impregnable defence fort in its prime. The entrance was guarded by eight gateways, majestic and vast arched gates adorned with intricate carvings etched into the solid surface. Double fortification walls protected the fortress round the clock. From the entrance, around 250 sturdy steps lead the way to the top structure, passing through several monitored gates and arched doorways.

Surrounding the fort was a 12-foot deep moat, encircling it like a snake, filled with deadly crocodiles eagerly waiting to feast on intruders' flesh. The formidable moat was enough to instil horror in the minds of invaders. There are even rumours of an underground tunnel running through the fort to the neighbouring village, providing connectivity and a secret exit during times of siege, adding to its aura of mystery and strength.

The fort was constructed under the rule of the Kakatiyas, mighty rulers who ushered in a golden period in the history of Telangana. It housed small temples within its premises and was known as Veligabadu during that time. However, it changed hands in later periods, leading to changes in its name and form. The Qutub Shahi rulers took over in the 16th century, followed by the Mughals. Even the despotic Mughal emperor Aurangzeb took notice of the fort and built the Alamgir mosque, adorned with three minarets instead of the usual four found in mosques. These minarets have the unique characteristic of oscillating when shaken. When the Nizams took control of the fort, they embellished it with the "Dho Minar," a building with two pillars whose total height matches that of the Charminar in Hyderabad. The Kiledar of Nizams, Mirza Ibrahim Khan Dhamasa, rebuilt the fort in 1754 AD.