HISTORY
Bhongir Fort is located in Bhuvanagiri, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District, Telangana, India. It is on top of a huge rock at a commanding height. It is a massive impregnable structure erected by Chalukya ruler, Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI and the fort is named after him. Bhongir fort’s history is traced back to the 10th century. Initially it was called Tribhuvanagiri, renamed later as Bhuvanagiri and eventually it has become Bhongir Fort. The town of Bhuvanagiri/Bhongir derives its name from this splendid fort, which stands on a monolithic rock.
It is spread across an impressive area of 50 acres at a height of around 700 feet over the top an enormous rock formation. It resembles an unusual egg-shape structure along with two main entry points in turn covered with huge rocks. The fort that is encircled in a moat has underground chamber that is believed to be connect Golconda fort located 50 km away. The fort also witnessed a glorious period under queen Rudramadevi and her grandson Prataparudra’s rule.
After scaling the highest point, the Bhongir fort offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire region. Visitors can find an impressive collection of armory, stables, trap doors and other tools of historical interest. The fort also has a Hanuman temple and many ponds at the hilltop. Tourism department and adventure enthusiasts offer special trekking tours to ascend the fort. Bhongir fort is considered a popular tourist destination in Telangana and coupled with a thrilling climbing experience, can you ask for more? History exploration and adventure combined into one, Bhuvanagiri is connected well by roads and train. It is located at a distance of 48 km from state capital, Hyderabad.
The Bhongir fort adorns the place from the time it was built in 10th century. Bhongir Fort was built on an isolated monolithic rock by the Western Chalukya ruler Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI in the year 1076 and was thus named after him as Tribhuvanagiri, later it was called as Bhuvanagiri. Some of the inscriptions found in the fort were in Kannada and Telugu language highlighting the lifestyle of the people of that era. The inscriptions, the architecture and some sculptures found in the fort reveal that the fort was ruled by the Chalukya dynasty for a long time and then by the Kakatiya dynasty. The stone wall, the steps through the granite archways and the crumbling stucco ruins of the later age, still adorn the place.
Somewhere in 15th century, the fort was ceded to the Bahamani Sultans and then was taken over by a local governor. The Qutb Shahis' used the fort as a prison for those who aspired to snatch their throne. During the time of the British, the fort escaped their attention and was not occupied. Bhuvanagirigir was much ignored after the downfall of the Nizams at the time of communist revolution in the late 1940s.
The Fort
Bhongir sits on a unique egg-shaped rock hill more than 500 feet high. The steps from the bottom of the hill to the top are still intact; at the beginning of the steps there is a Hanuman Temple with two entry points protected by huge rocks, so the fort was considered practically impregnable by invading armies. The splendid historical fort with the awe-inspiring rock and the aesthetically fortified courts which have stood the ravages of time stir the imagination of tourists. A moat that encircles the fort, a vast underground chamber, trap doors, an armoury, stables, ponds, wells etc., make for fascinating viewing. The view from the top of the surrounding of the neighbouring area. The fort is associated with the rule of the heroic queen Rudramadevi and the countryside is simply breathtaking. The Bala Hisar or citadel on the top of the hill gives a bird's eye view. Rumour has it that there once was an underground corridor connecting Bhongir Fort to Golconda Fort.