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Medak Fort

One of the important hill forts in the Deccan It was originally built by the Kakatiya Kings. and  A loft  brass gun is to be seen here. The Mubarak Mahal. with its carved gate way. is an added attraction. Medak town is situated at a distance of 96-km from Hyderabad  . The most important places of interest in the town are the Fort and the Church. The Medak fort was originally called "Methuku Durgam", which derived its name from the Telugu word "Methuku" meaning a cooked rice grain, rice being the largely cultivated crop in this region.

The Foundation And Modifications : Medak Fort, Andhra PradeshThis architectural marvel was originally built in the 12th century A.D in the typical Hindu style during the reign of the Kakatiyas, the later additions and modifications carried out by the Qutub Shahis exhibit Muslim architecture. The fort is historically important being on a vantage point, and it formed part of an excellent war strategy and witnessed several battles in the Deccan spanning five centuries.

The fort has wide ramparts with several natural bastions carved out of the boulders and rocks on the hillock. Climbing a few steps takes you to the top of the hill, from where you can have a breathtaking view of the Medak town with the Pasupu Yeru (yellow stream in Telugu) meandering its way into the region is a treat to the eyes. The fort has three significant entrances - the 'Prathama Dwaaram' or first entrance, 'Simha Dwaaram' or Lion's entrance that has two snarling lions sculpted on a plaque fitted at the top of the entrance and the 'Gaja Dwaaram' or the elephant's entrance showing two elephants involved in a game on both sides of the entrance.

Attractions Within The Fort : The main attractions are the brass gun present in the fort, which is 10 feet long and it was cast at Rotterdam for the Dutch in AD1620. The Mubarak Mahal in the fort has on one of its gateways, the carving of double-headed eagle holding elephants in its teeth and talons.
Although in ruins, the Medak fort still retains its age-old charm, looking strong and majestic. Today, it stands as a valuable heritage of Andhra Pradesh.

Overview : Medak Fort is a citadel built on a hillock that provided as a vantage point for the Kakatiyan rulers in ancient India. The fort was built somewhere around 12th century and during the reign of Kakatiyan ruler, Prataparudra. The fort was called Methuku durgam, meaning cooked rice in Tamil and was a commanding post of Kakatians, followed by Qutub Shahis. The fort bears great historical and architectural importance. The place has witnessed battle scenes for almost five centuries.

Features : Medak Fort is known as a landmark left behind by the mighty Kakatiyans. The fort is famous for its architectural brilliance. Strategically located, the fort provided pre emptive advantage over invaders. The fort has three main entrances which are marked by lion and elephant sculptures. There are pipelines that used to transport the water in the fort from a well located within its perimeters. Also present in the fort is a 17th century cannon that measures about 3.2 metres and with a muzzle diameter of about 15 centimetres. There is a trident etched on the cannon surface. The fort also features a mosque built by during the reign of Qutub Shahis. The altitude provides a picturesque view of the town and the regions around. The fort, although in ruins now, holds the glory of the past.