The Hill Fort

(Kondapalli Fort, November2023) 

 

Me at the Fort

To the north of river Krishna, to the West of the city of Vijayawada, lies the village of Kondapalli, literally meaning hill village / hamlet / settlement. The irregular Eastern Ghats touch the banks of River Krishna, and the fertile Godavari-Krishna Delta ends here. The village is noted for Kondapalli Toys, sourced from local soft wood called Tella Poniki. It also houses the eponymous Fort of Kondapalli. Together with Kondaveedu Fort, it is a well noted Fort of Andhra Pradesh, that harks back to Medieval ages.

Ruins

The fort had humble origins, and was reportedly in existence during the fall of the Kakatiyas in c.1323 CE. Sources attribute it to various fighting factions and feudal dynasties viz, Mudigonda Chanakyas, Musunuri Nayakas. During 14th Century CE, a new dawn arrived in Andhra Desa, however shortlived. Under Prolaya Vema Reddy, the Independent Reddi Kingdom emerged and Kondapalli's stature rose, as a central location of Telugus in an increasingly fragmented polity. The next centuries lent much credence to Kondapalli's prominence, as Suryavamsa Gajapatis of Kalinga held sway, followed by Qutubshahis of Golconda, short lived Mughal Suzerainty, AsafJhais (Nizam) of Hyderabad, and eventually,  the fort turned into a military bastion and garrison under the British.  

A Qutub Shahi Inscription

In 15th Century, when the tripartite struggle peaked between the Bahmani Sultanate, Rayas of Vijayanagar and Suryavamsa Gajapatis of Kalinga, Kondapalli changed hands frequently, and was initially captured by Hamvira Routraya of Kalinga, feat replicated half a century later by Sri Krishna Devaraya in his famed Kalinga campaign (c.1513-1520 CE). Kondaplli marked the Southern extent of Gajapatis. 

Entrance to Fort

Today, the ruins and ramparts of the fort offer a picturesque site, and it is accessible on foot from the village of Kondaplli through the Toys Street,  as well as by road from Ibrahimpatnam, with the Ghat road dotted by Quarry lorries on a long queue. The Darwazas, ruined Jail Khana, Tanisha Palace with chambers, offer a sombre sight, pointing to a lost era. There is a huge scope for development, and the State Government of Andhra Pradesh has taken due note of it, vide it's new Tourism Policy. 

   

Kondapalli Doll

 

The Hill Fort

Maheeth Veluvali,
16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu,.
31st of May, 2025.