Devanahalli Fort, Military fort in Devanahalli, India
Devanahalli Fort is a roughly oval, east-facing stone fortification of dressed masonry covering about 20 acres, with twelve semi-circular bastions at regular intervals and a spacious battlement along the inner side. Its small east and west entrances are decorated with cut plasterwork, and the bastions carry gun points built with lime and brick. A long wall of large tan and brown blocks ends at a rounded projecting bastion beside a single arched gateway flanked by two white signboards.
The fort was built in 1501 by chief Malla Byre Gowda as an earthen structure and passed through several rulers. It was captured by Lord Cornwallis in 1791 during the Anglo-Mysore conflict.
The complex houses several Hindu temples, particularly the Venugopalaswamy Temple with intricately carved stone reliefs. Visitors can see worshippers coming here regularly to pray and observe the stone carvings that depict religious stories.
The fort sits about 35 kilometers north of Bengaluru near the International Airport and is accessible throughout the day. There is no entrance fee, and the site can be explored on foot without prior arrangements or special requirements.
The site is the birthplace of Tipu Sultan, a notable ruler in the region's history. A roughly two-meter memorial structure dedicated to him stands southwest of the main complex.
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