The construction of the original mudfort was undertaken by Raja Hira Gowda in the 17th century around 1670 AD. An interesting incident prompted the Gowda family to considering building a fortress. A stray sheep went missing around the Madhugiri hillock only to return late in the night dripping with water. This was music to the ears since a spring would definitely be welcome sign for rain deficient area. A decision to construct a fortress was arrived and the task was completed. The Gowdas started ruling this region based at Madhugiri Fort.
Genesis of the name Madhugiri is derieved from the Honeybee colonies which were prevalent in those days towards the northern parts of the Madhugiri fortress. There are two large temples located in Madhugiri one is Venkatramana and other is Malleswara. There is also a Jaina temple on the precints of the Madhugiri fort.
In 1678 Gowdas annoyed the Wodeyars of Mysore, and thereby inviting their wrath of non submission of revenue collected being feudatories. The king and the queen were taken prisoners to Srirangapatanam. Once they agreed to dutifully remit the share of the taxes collected they were sent back with honour to occupy their throne in Madhugiri. The Marathas invaded the territory and captured Madhugiri Fort and held it for 7 years. After that Hyder Ali invaded this region and captured the Fort in 1764 and commissioned alteration of the mud fort. He built a huge arch type enterance, which can be seen clearly after the renovation. The entire fort was fortified and watch towers were built in all directions. Secret tunnels were constructed inorder to quickly escape from the enemy in case surprise attacks.
It is rumoured that Hyder Ali collected huge wealth from this Fortress treasury. He threw out all the antiques and collected only gold. Tipu in commemoration of the victory renamed the town Fatehbad. The tax collected amounted to 6 lakh pagodas in this region. The heavy and oppressive tax regime literally ruined the region and people started migrating and ultimately it lost its grandeur, when it was re-captured by Marathas in 1791. But it was re-captured with the help of the British, with bandits who had been exiled. They fought a guerilla warfare and repulsed the Marathas. The fortress and the territory was used to house the prisoners of 1857 sepoy mutiny against the british. Later the British handed over the territory to the wodeyars.
The town Madhugiri never recovered its lost grandeur after the plunder by Marathas and Tipu Sultan. It lost its glory, but the Fortress stands a mute witness to the original glory of the township.
The fort is currently under renovation, we hope the lost splendour of the Fort will be salvaged. Madhugiri fort can be reached from Sira, or from Devandurga, or from Leepakshi, Hindupur, Pavgada.
Madhugiri Fort is truly Gowda familys legacy and behold the local MLA happens to be from the Gowda family. So the saying goes history repeats itself
LOCATION : There are three routes to reach Madhugiri Fort. One is via dobbaspet or tumkur taking the korategere route and from thereon to Madhurgiri. Next is via Sira towards Madhugiri and last route is from Pavagada to towards Midigishi and Madhugiri. It can a ideal one day getaway from Bangalore covering Shivagange, Gornahalli, Devandurga and Madhugiri.
For photo uploads check this link : http://indiabackpacker.blogspot.com/search/label/Madhugiri%20fort
Genesis of the name Madhugiri is derieved from the Honeybee colonies which were prevalent in those days towards the northern parts of the Madhugiri fortress. There are two large temples located in Madhugiri one is Venkatramana and other is Malleswara. There is also a Jaina temple on the precints of the Madhugiri fort.
In 1678 Gowdas annoyed the Wodeyars of Mysore, and thereby inviting their wrath of non submission of revenue collected being feudatories. The king and the queen were taken prisoners to Srirangapatanam. Once they agreed to dutifully remit the share of the taxes collected they were sent back with honour to occupy their throne in Madhugiri. The Marathas invaded the territory and captured Madhugiri Fort and held it for 7 years. After that Hyder Ali invaded this region and captured the Fort in 1764 and commissioned alteration of the mud fort. He built a huge arch type enterance, which can be seen clearly after the renovation. The entire fort was fortified and watch towers were built in all directions. Secret tunnels were constructed inorder to quickly escape from the enemy in case surprise attacks.
It is rumoured that Hyder Ali collected huge wealth from this Fortress treasury. He threw out all the antiques and collected only gold. Tipu in commemoration of the victory renamed the town Fatehbad. The tax collected amounted to 6 lakh pagodas in this region. The heavy and oppressive tax regime literally ruined the region and people started migrating and ultimately it lost its grandeur, when it was re-captured by Marathas in 1791. But it was re-captured with the help of the British, with bandits who had been exiled. They fought a guerilla warfare and repulsed the Marathas. The fortress and the territory was used to house the prisoners of 1857 sepoy mutiny against the british. Later the British handed over the territory to the wodeyars.
The town Madhugiri never recovered its lost grandeur after the plunder by Marathas and Tipu Sultan. It lost its glory, but the Fortress stands a mute witness to the original glory of the township.
The fort is currently under renovation, we hope the lost splendour of the Fort will be salvaged. Madhugiri fort can be reached from Sira, or from Devandurga, or from Leepakshi, Hindupur, Pavgada.
Madhugiri Fort is truly Gowda familys legacy and behold the local MLA happens to be from the Gowda family. So the saying goes history repeats itself
LOCATION : There are three routes to reach Madhugiri Fort. One is via dobbaspet or tumkur taking the korategere route and from thereon to Madhurgiri. Next is via Sira towards Madhugiri and last route is from Pavagada to towards Midigishi and Madhugiri. It can a ideal one day getaway from Bangalore covering Shivagange, Gornahalli, Devandurga and Madhugiri.
For photo uploads check this link : http://indiabackpacker.blogspot.com/search/label/Madhugiri%20fort
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThat was excellent......................Pls add some more details for people like us to read, who are curious for more.