Vijaywada has not much to offer for history lovers but there is a fort at Kondapalli which is 16kms from the city of Vijaywada. Kondapalli fort is very popular among the locals of Vijaywada but hardly tourists from any other city come and visit this place. The fort does not have much to offer but this probably is the best tourist place Vijaywada has to present.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 the initial years it was a business center but after the British took over it became a military training base.
The fort has been through the hands of many rulers among which include the Reddy’s, Bahamani’s, Gajapati’s, Vijaynagara’s, Qutb Shahi’s and ultimately fell in power of the British. But the fort’s top contributors in terms of developing it and expanding it were the Reddy Kings.The Kondapalli fort consists of three fortification walls. On top of the hill are the magnificent structural edifices. Most of these edifices were redisgned during the Qutb Shahi rule. The attractions in the fort include the Rani Mahal, the Dancing hall and the Arched hall. There is also a dargah “shrine” of Gareeb Sahib, a renowned Persian saint which is situated beside the Dargah Darwazah gate. Surrounding the fort is the village of Kondapalli which is famous for its toys which are brightly coloured and depict Indian motifs.
Presently one can see the Archaeological Survey of Andhra Pradesh working to preserve the fort which was badly required due to the diminishing condition of the fort.While visiting the fort one should not expect it to be mind blowing as it’s very similar to any ordinary fort but if a history lover is visiting Vijaywada this should be on top of his list.
