Basavakalayan formerly known as Kalayani is one of the oldest cities in South India, so it does have a considerable amount of history. The city is located on the National Highway 9 which runs from Mumbai to Hyderabad. Basavakalyan fort is the most imposing historical structure in the city. “A jewel gone unnoticed” is what was used to describe this place in an article I read.
When I visited Basavakalyan it almost felt like all major roads lead to the fort, well since it’s a small town it hardly has any major roads. The fort was famous for being at the heart of the capital of the Western Chalukya Empire. It was built in the 10th Century by the King Nalaraja.
The empire went on to conquer almost half of India. The fort later on went to decline after the 12th Century since a large number of different rulers subsequently absorbed it in their respective empires. One of the main features of the fort is that it shows traces of all the different dynasties that ruled it as they all refurbished it in one way or another.
The palaces that the fort houses are mostly in ruins, the most well maintained structure is probably the courtyard of the mosque as an urdu school still runs in it. Another famous structure within the fort is a canon known to the locals as 'Khadak Bijli Thopu’. Though rather modest in size is still worth visiting. The citadel is in a bad condition presently but worth visiting as it’s a very calm and peaceful place so it allows the visitor to imagine its beauty during its glory days.
Although not the best fort I would say but it’s worth visiting at least once. And as it’s located in the middle of a National Highway it makes it easier for tourists to access it. But the most fascinating thing about the fort is the fact that it is over a 1000 years old and very few forts can boast of a similar accomplishment.
