SIDDAVATAM FORT
Siddavatam Fort, one of the
architectural marvels of the fourteenth century situated in Cudappah District,
Andhra Pradesh, must figure in your itinerary when you visit Andhra Pradesh.
The indomitable fort rises amidst 30 acres of land on the banks of River Pennar
at the foot of Lankamala Hills, standing testimony to the architectural skills,
military strategy and aesthetics of medieval India. You will have to reach
Siddavatam village, also known as Sidhout, 25 kms from Cudappah. Siddavatam
Fort is located near Rajampet, about 20 kms away.
Sidavatam Fort was built by Mattli
Rajulu who belonged to the Nayakars under the Vijayanagara Empire in 1303 AD. A
rock edict at the entrance of the Fort indicates that the bastion was
constructed during the time of Araveeti Venkatapathi Rayalu II in 1605. The
details mentioned in the edict refer to the name of Yellamma Raju and his son
Anantha Raju as winners of the Ootukur War and that Siddavatam Fort was given
to them by the Vijayanagara emperors. The Siddavatam Fort in its present state
is said to have been built by Anantha Raju.
History denotes further developments
in the status of Siddavatam Fort. The fort is said to have been captured by
Mirjumla in the seventeenth century and was under the control of the Mayana
Nawabs of Cudappah. A darga and a masjid were built by the last Nawab of this
dynasty, Alam Khan near the River Pennar. Despite the fact that the Mayans
hailed from Islam, they allowed the mantapams (halls) and the sculptures to
remain intact. Later, during a war in 1779-80 when Hyder Ali of Mysore attacked
the dynasty, Sidavattam Fort was destroyed by him. Thus the historical fort
passed into the hands of the Nizams of Tippu Sultan. In 1800, Sidavattam Fort
was taken over by the British East India Company. Cudappah District was
administered by the British from Siddavatam Fort from 1808-1812 after which the
district administration shifted to the present town of Cudappah (also spelt as
Kadapa).
attractions Architecture
Siddavatam Fort is situated in a
sprawling area of 30 acres and is a venue of great tourist interest in Cudappah
(Kadapa) District. The single most attractive architectural draw of the fort is
the exquisite carvings of Gajalakshmi on the majestic gateway of the fort at
two ends of embellished pillars. The carvings are seated on the top of the
pillars. As you go from the entrance of the fort, you will be led to a
place which is surrounded by verandahs with huge walls. From here you will
reach the big Mantapam or hall that is adorned with beautiful sculptures
on its walls and pillars. Siddavatam Fort has 17 bastions constructed to protect
the fort, which are still intact. When the main gateways are closed you can
access the fort through an ancillary passage.
Inside the Siddavatam Fort are
beautifully sculpted temples including Siddheswara, Bala Brahma, Ranganayaka
Swamy and a Durga Temple that attract many pilgrims.
The Siddavattam Fort, built in 1303 AD, is at a distance of
25kms from Cuddapah near Siddavattam. Standing on the bank of the river Penna
and covering an area of nearly 30 acres, this fort stands as an example of
beautiful architecture of those times. There are majestic gateways at the two
ends of the fort that have embellished pillars and intricate carvings of
Gajalaxmi at the top. There are about 17 square mainstays, which protected the
area in those days and still stand as strong and rigid as it was before. There
is an ancillary passage in the fort, which is open for the generally public
when the main gateways are closed.
