Kavaledurga Fort, Hill fort in Thirthahalli, India
Kavaledurga is a hill fort in Thirthahalli in the Indian state of Karnataka, built with multiple stone walls and gates across different levels. The complex spreads over a forested slope with watchtowers and bastions overlooking the surrounding countryside.
The fortress served as the fourth capital of the Keladi Kingdom during the 17th century and provided refuge for Rajaram, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Queen Chennamma defended the site against Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's forces before it later fell to Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.
The name comes from the Kannada words meaning cloud fortress, referring to how it rises above the surrounding valleys. The temples inside the walls continue to draw pilgrims who hold religious festivals here and practice rituals throughout the year.
Access to the fort follows a trail about 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) long from the base, easiest to walk during dry weather. The months after the monsoon offer comfortable temperatures and good visibility for exploring the site.
The fort houses several old inscriptions in local languages visible on stone tablets along the walls. Some of the water tanks inside the fort still collect rainwater during the monsoon season, showing the original engineering methods.
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