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| Dauladabad fort gate.upload.wikimedia.org credit: Negikun. |
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Daulatabad Fort, Aurangabad.justaboutev3rything.blogspot.com |
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| sturdy Daulatabad Fort, Aurangabad. ghumakkar.com |
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| Daulatabad Fort,tripoto.com |
Centuries ago the Indian rulers of various regions had to depend heavily on their forts to safeguard their kingdoms from invading armies. As there were innumerable rulers with powerful armies, vying with one another to expand their rule, the ruling classes came up with many innovative ideas to face sudden attacks, long siege, etc. In India there are thousands of big forts of great antiquity that witnessed lots of battles and rise and fall of many powerful dynasties. The strong fort at Daulatabad in the state of Maharastra is a very old fort built atop a hill and was a mute spectator of many powerful rulers.
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| Dauladabad fort, Ahmednagar with cannon |
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| Dauladabad fort, Alamy.com |
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| Capture of Devagiri Fort in 1633.en.wikipedia.org |
Daulatabad Fort, originally known as Deogiri Fort (hill of Gods).' , is a historic fortified citadel located in Daulatabad village near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, India. It was the capital of the Yadavas from the 9th to the 14th century CE, briefly served as the capital of the Delhi Sultanate from 1327 to 1334, and later became a secondary capital of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate between 1499 and 1636.
By the 6th century CE, Devagiri had emerged as an important uplands town situated along caravan routes heading towards western and southern India. The triangular fortress, which dominates the area, was initially constructed around 1187 by the first Yadava king Bhillama V. During the raid of Malik Kaufer in 1306-07 and 1312 Ramachandradeva and later his son Shankardeva were killed and the city Deogiri and the fort were annexed by the Delhi slave dynasty. In 1308, the city fell to oppressive Alauddin Khalji of the Delhi Sultanate who had a powerful army and artillery power.
Later, in 1327, Muhammad bin Tughluq renamed the city Daulatabad and shifted his imperial capital there from Delhi, initiating a mass migration of the Delhi population. However, in 1334, he reversed this decision and restored Delhi as the capital.
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| Dauladbad fort with a moat upload.wikimedia.org Credit. Daniel Chitnis. |
In 1499, Daulatabad became part of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, which used it as their secondary capital. In 1610, Malik Ambar, a prominent Ethiopian military leader, established the nearby city of Khadki (later Aurangabad) to serve as the Ahmadnagar Sultanate’s capital. Most of the existing fortifications of Daulatabad were constructed during this period.
The fortress is surrounded by a water-filled moat, which in ancient times was rumored to contain ferocious crocodiles for added defense. The hill itself, standing approximately 200 meters high, has steep, vertical slopes created by the Yadavas to enhance its defensive capabilities. Access to the summit is restricted to a narrow bridge and a long gallery carved into the rock, which includes a steep staircase midway. This gallery also features a hearth used to deter invaders by creating a massive fire. Cannons from various historical periods are positioned along the slope and summit, overlooking the surrounding plains.
The fort employs several ingenious defense mechanisms, such as having only one entry/exit point to confuse invaders. Parallel gates were avoided to disrupt the momentum of advancing armies. The fort gates were fortified with iron spikes to protect against attacks by war elephants, and its maze-like entryways, curved walls, and false doors were designed to mislead and trap enemies. Historical accounts also mention a cave entrance midway through the ascent, adding another layer of confusion for attackers.
Daulatabad is located approximately 16 km northwest of Aurangabad and lies midway to the famous Ellora Caves. Once a bustling capital city, it is now a sparsely populated village that depends on tourism. Visitors are drawn to the remnants of its historic city and the formidable fort.
The site of Daulatabad had been occupied since at least 100 BCE and features Hindu and Jain temples similar to those found at Ajanta and Ellora. The city itself is said to have been founded around 1187 by Bhillama V, a Yadava prince who broke away from the Chalukyas and established the Yadava dynasty.
During the reign of Yadava king Ramachandra, Alauddin Khalji conducted a raid on Devagiri in 1296, compelling the Yadavas to pay a heavy tribute. When tribute payments ceased, Alauddin sent another expedition in 1308, forcing the Yadavas into vassalage.
In 1328, Muhammad bin Tughluq shifted his capital to Devagiri and renamed it Daulatabad, believing it was strategically located at the center of his empire and geographically secure from invasions. However, the arid climate and logistical challenges led to the failure of this plan, earning Tughluq the nickname "Mad King."
The fort witnessed significant developments during the Bahmani Sultanate, including the construction of the Chand Minar by Sultan Hasan Gangu Bahmani, inspired by the Qutb Minar of Delhi. This minaret, built by Iranian architects, was colored using lapis lazuli and red ochre. The Chini Mahal, an ornate structure within the fort, was repurposed as a Mughal prison and reputedly held Abul Hasan Qutb Shah of the Golconda Sultanate.
The fort was eventually captured by the Maratha Empire in 1760. The fort itself is on top of a steep hill with sides dropping to the bottom dangerously. It is a tough job to cross the 40 feet deep moat that has lots of crocodiles first and then to scale the steep hill. The fort has the unique distinction of having been remained undefeated in numerous battles centuries ago..
In Hindu tradition, the fort is associated with Lord Shiva, who is believed to have stayed in the surrounding hills, lending the site its original name, Devagiri, meaning "Hills of God." Structurally, Daulatabad’s fortified city is a culmination of a millennium of construction under successive rulers. It is divided into three zones: the innermost fortification atop the conical hill, known as Balakot; the intermediate zone, Kataka; and the outermost defense wall, Ambarkot, which encloses much of the historic city.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daulatabad_Forthttp://www.aurangabadlive.com/daultabad-fort.aspx
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The Magnificent Daulatabad Fort, built by Yadhava g, general Raja Bhillamraj in the 12th century stands on a hill in Daulatabad city, Maharashtra, once known as 'Devgiri (hill of Gods).' It lies about 16 Km NW from Aurangabad. Once a stronghold of Yadav rulers, it changed hands, involving many dynasties within the Deccan with the passage of time through several centuries. In the 6th century, evidences prove, it was an important upland city on the caravan route and it was Muhamad Tughlaq (r. 1325-1351), Sultan of Delhi who changed the name to Daulatabad, meaning the Metropolis of Fortune. Beginning in 1327, he ordered the entire population of Delhi to move over to Daulatabad, their new capital and later shifted the capital back to Delhi because of scarcity of water.
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| Canon, Daulatabad Fort, Maharashtera ndiamike.com |
In the history of Mogul rule in India, among the many rulers Tughlaq was known for his eccentricity and antics. He was also known to shift capital and his subjects according to his whims and fancies. His weird behavior and unproductive plans caused lots of trouble for the subjects. During the reign of Ramachandradeva, son of Krishna, Ala-ud-din Khilji invaded and captured Deogiri in A.D. 1296. However, Ramachandradeva was allowed to rule from here as a vassal in A.D. During the raid of Malik Kaufer in 1306-07 and 1312 Ramachandradeva and later his son Shankardeva were killed and the city Deogiri and the fort were annexed by the Delhi slave dynasty. Later this region was controlled by the Bahamani rulers Hasan Gangu in A.D. 1347 and Nizam Shahis of Ahmednagar in A.D. 1499. By 1633 it came under the full control of Moguls.
Built on a 200 meter high conical mesa or hill, it was the most powerful fort in the medieval period. The fort is well protected by deep moat, initial steep rock slopes running around the hill, besides it has three encircling walls - Amberkot, Mahakot and Kalakot
with bastions at its foot beefed up by complex defense system. The entrance to the gate is through the outer wall followed by a series of gateways with heavy doors and courts. The only means of access to the top is by a narrow bridge, with passage for not more than two people side by side. About midway the access gallery has steep stairs and at top it is covered by gratings. In case of war it is meant to form a hearth of fire and the flame will be kept going to prevent the entry of enemies. The main gate is huge and strong and the walls are thick pierced by openings for artillery. Yet another feature is the outer main door is studded and heavily spiked against elephant attack.So are the many doors in the fort. The other succeeding gate is defended by watch tower.
The Mogul ruler Aurangazeb installed a massive gun called ‘Menda Top’ for additional defense. Puzzling defense in this fort is a series of endless maze of curved passage corridors with certain gradient. Upon the entry of enemies, blazing torches will be pushed upon enemies or hot oil is poured down his path that can trap the forward moving enemies.
The fort itself is on top of a steep hill with sides dropping to the bottom dangerously. It is a tough job to cross the 40 feet deep moat that has lots of crocodiles first and then to scale the steep hill. The fort has the unique distinction having been remained undefeated in numerous battles centuries ago..
Ref:
http://www.aurangabadlive.com/daultabad-fort.aspx
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 Ahmednagar, Maharashtra Become Daulatabad Fort?){kind=link}