Musafir

On the way from Nandi Hills towards Bangalore near the International Airport, you will find a structure which will seem to be a prison with high walls. On a nearer look once will understand that its a fort.

Devanahalli, located at a distance of 35 kms. towards north of Bangalore is a fast growing suburb having and antiquity right from pre-historic times down to the period of Tipu Sultan. It was part of Gangawadi and later came under the rule of the Rashtrakutas, Nolamba, Pallavas, Cholas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara rulers. During the time of Vijayanagara rule, one Malla Baire Gowda of Avati, a feudatory constructed the fort in 1501 AD with the consent of Devaraya at Devanadoddi - the earlier name of Devanahalli. Subsequently, in 1741 AD the fort passed into the hands of the Wodeyars of Mysore, which was conquered many times from the Marathas and later came under the control of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. The present fort is ascribed to Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, and it was the favourite hunting place for Tipu, which incidentally was his birth place as well.

The roughly oval east oriented fortification veneered with dressed masonry has as many as 12 semi-circular bastions at regular intervals. As we near the fort, we see a road passing under the massive construction. The outer walls are made of heavy stones will a brick lining on the top. The fort is provided with entrances at east and west decorated with cut plaster work.

Once we pass through inside the fortification, there are steps on the left and right to move to the battlement area. As we move up the stairs, we see a long corridor on each side where hundreds of soldiers can be deployed during emergency. The inner side of the walls are constructed in brick and still intact. There are gun points through which the outside can be kept an eye on. The Devanahalli village still exists within this fortified area.

There is one temple probably of the 17th century inside dedicated to Lord Siva. It is a recent construction without much wear and tear. Even the architecture resembles the Vijayanagara style, it is more kind of an imitation than built at in that era.

We just had a small break near the temple and moved on to visit a place so important but it is thrown just on the road side without any importance or care. This is the place where the Tiger of Mysore, Tipu Sultan was born.

This memorial, located at about 150 mts. south west of the fort, is traditionally identified as the spot where Tipu Sultan was born. A four pillared arched structure which rests on a square platform within a masonry enclosure having entrance from the east are the only remains available.

There is nothing more to visit in this importance place called Devanahalli and we head back home in the scorching heat…