Kondapalli Fort

Kondapalli Fort, also locally known as Kondapalli Kota, perched at the top of a hill in Kondapalli Town is the ruined Kondapalli Fort is located 16 km from Vijayawada in the Krishna district. This 14th century fort on the hill with an impressive three storied rock tower has witnessed the glory of many dynasties. The fort has 3 entrances and there is a deep reservoir near the palace where the water is very cold. Also, one can see several ruined structures in the fort.

Kondapalli Fort was built as a center of recreation, business and trade. It served as a commercial hub in the olden days, as it lay on an important Machilipatanam-Golconda trade route. The fort was used as a military training base by the British rulers. It is now a good picnic spot.  The village is famous for toys made with a special wood that's found on the hills here. These toys are famous the world over as 'Kondapalli Toys'.

The fort, which has a very picturesque sight, has three successive entry gates. The main entrance gate is called the ‘Dargha Darwaja’ built with single block of granite. It is 12 feet (3.7 m) wide and 15 feet (4.6 m) high. Its name is derived from the tomb or dargha of Gulab Shah, who was killed in battle here. Besides Darhgha darwaza, another entrance gate called the Golconda darwaza is located on the other end of the hill, which leads to Jaggaiahpet village. The fortified wall has towers and battlements. At the far end of the fort there is the Tanisha Mahal or Palace, perched on a crest between two hills. The palace had many chambers on the ground floor and a huge hall on the upper floor. In addition, there are several buildings still standing in the fort, which are ruins.

There is deep reservoir near the palace, which is sourced by a spring. The water in the reservoir is said to be very cold and to cause fever. There are numerous other water tanks in the fort area, which go dry during the summer months. An old granary now in ruins, beyond the reservoir, is inhabited by bats. An English barrack is still standing in the fort area, which has eight large rooms, apart from a house in an annex. An English cemetery is also seen in the fort.

As a famous picnic spot, Kondapalli fort attracts visitors from all over the country. During weekends this place is bustling with tourists and locals enjoying the picturesque views and architecture of the fort. The magnificence of the fort and the beautiful view of the surroundings makes it a famous tourist destination of Vijayawada. Adding to this, the beautifully carved Kondapalli toys makes it a must visit place in Vijayawada that cannot be missed by anyone.

Kondapalli fort was constructed by Prolaya Vema Reddy in the 14th Century.  He was also founder of the short lived Reddy Dynasty. With his capital at Kondaveedu close by,  Kondapalli flourished under his successors and it became a business center. It became the eastern gateway to the south. In course of time, the fort was controlled by many dynasties like Kondavid, Gajapathi, Vijayanagar, Bahmani, British etc.In the initial years it was a business center but after the British took over it became a military training base.

Kondapalli fort is constructed by Musunuri kings in 1325 AD. In the historic struggle for power for the throne of Orissa, Hamvira had to fight his brother Purushottam, who had succeeded to the throne after their father's death. He sought the help of the Bahmany Sultan in this war. He was successful in defeating his brother and occupied the throne of Orissa kingdom, in 1472. But in the bargain, he gave Kondapalli and Rajahmundry to the Bahmany Sultan. Subsequently, Purushottam defeated Hamvira in 1476 and occupied the throne of Orissa. But it is also said that in 1476, a revolution began at Kondapalli when there was famine in the Bahmany kingdom. The garrison of Kondapalli revolted and gave possession of the fort to "Hamer Oriya" or Hamvira. 

Kondapalli fort which has seen many battles between South and North India Kingdoms is a main crowd puller in Vijayawada district. It was initially built as a leisure place and business center and later served as a military training base for the British rulers. Situated on a hillock, Kondapalli Fort offers scenic view of the Eastern ghats and the greenery surrounding this place makes it a must visit tourist attraction of Vijayawada. 

Kondapalli fort has three entry gates, with the first one built with one block of granite. This gate is called the Dargha Darwaza, and it is about 12 feet wide and 16 feet high. The second entrance is on the other side of the hill and is called the Golconda Darwaza. This entrance leads to the village of Jaggaiahpet. The striking fort has several towers and battlements, a reservoir with a spring and some water tanks. The Tanisha Mahal is located at the far end of the fortress perched in between two hills. The palace has several rooms or chambers and a vast Durbar Hall. The fort also has an English Barrack with eight rooms and an English cemetery.