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Deccan Herald
03-07-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
An enduring fortress of stone and history
Shahabad is a historical town about 26 km from Kalaburagi, where the two major rivers, Kagina and Bhima, flow. Old Shahabad was once a major administrative and cultural centre during the Bahmani Sultanate. .It also served as a sub-divisional administrative hub under the Nizams of Hyderabad, governing nearly 300 villages. In order to preserve the originality of Old Shahabad, a new township, New Shahabad, was developed around 3.5 km away, primarily due to the establishment of a railway station. .Shahabad is especially notable for its limestone, widely known as Shahabad stone, which comes in different shades such as yellow and grey, each possessing a distinctive visual in many nearby villages are built using this stone. The tradition of using limestone blocks for building construction in this region spans centuries. The stones have been used by various historical dynasties, including the Mauryas of Kanaganahalli (notably for the Ashoka-era stupa), the Rashtrakutas (in Malkhed Fort), the Bahmanis (in Shahabad Fort), and the Nizams in their palaces in Kalaburagi..A 14th-century fort, locally known as gadi, is a rare and historically significant example of early Shahabad stone architecture. The Shahabad Fort was built during the reign of the Bahmani rulers, sometime between 1397 and 1422 AD. The fort is one of the lesser-known but important regional monuments from the Bahmani period. Shahabad, along with other towns, formed a network of strategic settlements that were regularly used by the Bahmani Sultans for military campaigns. .When this ancient structure is compared to the recently constructed houses in the area, the basic construction method remains surprisingly similar. Limestone blocks are carefully stacked and aligned to form solid structural walls. The fort itself contains a row of gun slits embedded into the walls — an early form of defensive architecture. The fort features four watchtowers: Two cylindrical towers at the main entrance and two square-shaped towers at the rear. .The upper level of the bastions includes tapering three-layered stone supports that provide both functional overhang and architectural elegance. The western wall and its corresponding bastion remain relatively intact. The fort's layout is irregular, suggesting it may have been expanded over time without a fixed design plan. .At the southeast corner of the structure stands a square bastion, while the rear exit of the fort includes a small wooden door topped by a large stone arch. Once a thriving seat of local governance and military strength, the fort has now deteriorated and, regrettably, is often used as a dumping ground. .The eastern wall, connected to a bastion, is in particularly poor condition, though the top of the bastion has somehow endured. A portion of the fort compound is currently occupied by a private the walls of the fort lies a mosque known locally as the Gadi ki saat sutun Shahi Jama Masjid, constructed using locally quarried white stone. Although not widely documented in scholarly records, this mosque is an important religious structure preserved by the local the masjid is supported by 32 intricately designed pillars and 28 arches. Each arch displays a unique style, inspired by Persian and Turkish architectural traditions, indicating the cultural exchanges with these regions during the Bahmani roof of the mosque includes 21 domes. The front elevation features chajjas (stone eaves) attached to the roof, supported by stone slabs. These designs follow the Indo-Islamic architectural tradition and are also seen in older homes throughout the historic fort and its mosque currently do not fall under the protection or maintenance of any official heritage this, the structure remains an example of regional fort architecture, blending defensive engineering with cultural and religious heritage. With proper support, particularly from the State Archaeology Department, this neglected monument could be preserved, restored, and recognised as a valuable piece of Karnataka's historical and architectural legacy.


Hans India
02-07-2025
- Hans India
8 Popular Places to Visit in Lonavala on Your Weekend Getaway! Explore Famous Places to Visit in Lonavala Away From the City's Hustle and Bustle!
Are you looking for an escape from the city chaos near Mumbai? Lonavala is the place for you. Surrounded by the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra, it is a popular hill station located around 90 kms from Mumbai. The place is filled with lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, misty hills and lakes, offering a magnificent retreat away from the hustle and bustle of daily routine. It is a haven for adventure seekers, nature lovers and bird watchers, as there are various activities you can do in Lonavala. These activities include trekking, hiking, boating, flying fox, ATV rides, bungee jumping and birdwatching. The places to visit in Lonavala also hold historical significance, dating back to the Maratha rule. Here is a list of places to visit in Lonavala for a peaceful and relaxing getaway. Also, don't forget to check out budget-friendly hotels in Lonavala for a comfortable and convenient stay. 1. Tiger's Leap: Located 8 kms away from Lonavala, Tiger's Leap is a popular viewpoint. This clifftop resembling the shape of a tiger leaping into the valley, with a sheer drop of over 650 mts is famous for breathtaking sunrise and sunset views. Another highlight of the Tiger's Leap, is the echo point, where you can hear your voice bouncing back. While looking for a stay near Tiger's Leap, you can book Treebo hotels in Lonavala near the viewpoint for a comfortable and relaxing experience. 2. Lohagad Fort: The famous places to visit in Lonavala include various forts that hold great significance in the course of the history of the region. One such important fort is Lohagad Fort, also known as 'Iron Fort', located at a height of 3,389 ft above sea level. The fort was under the rule of various rulers, including the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahmanis, Nizams, Mughals, and Marathas, which makes it an important site for history enthusiasts. While embarking on a 2-3 hour trek uphill, you get to witness the bounty of nature and historic Bhaja caves, making it a popular tourist attraction for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The Treebo hotels near Lohagad Fort, Lonavala, are best-suited for travellers looking for affordable yet comfortable accommodation. 3. Visapur Fort: A popular hill fort near Visapur village close to Lonavala, Visapur Fort is one of the best weekend getaways from Mumbai and Pune. You can reach the fort by climbing the rocky hill for around 2-3 hours starting at Bhaje Village. Standing at a height of 1084 mts above sea level, it offers a panoramic view of the surroundings covered in lush greenery. For the best travelling experience, monsoon is the best time to visit the fort as the trek will be covered in thick greenery, brimming waterfalls and mist. For a relaxing stay before and after the trek to the Visapur Fort, you can book Treebo hotels near Visapur Fort Lonavala, which are ideal for solo travellers, couples, groups of friends, family and business travellers. 4. Tungarli Lake: Along with the historic forts, Lonavala is also known for its sparkling lakes and dams. Tungarli Lake, formed due to the construction of Tungarli Dam in the Rajmachi region, is one of the famous places to visit in Lonavala for camping and picnics. You can enjoy a relaxing time by the lake and admire the mesmerising views of the city, or take leisure walks and short treks to the Tungarli Dam. You can look for hotels in Lonavala near Tungarli Lake to enjoy easy accessibility to the lake. 5. Lonavala Lake: Another famous lake located around 1.6 kms away from the city centre is the Lonavala Lake. It is a popular site for food hopping, birdwatching, swimming and angling and is a base camp for famous treks to Tiger Point, Lion Point and Aamby Valley. The beauty of the lake is at its best during and post monsoon season when you can enjoy the views of flowers, grazing animals and lush greenery. There are numerous Treebo hotels in Lonavala offering travel desk facilities to help you explore the city in the best possible way. 6. Rajmachi: If you wish to experience the culture and tradition of the region, then Rajmachi is the perfect place for you. It is a small village situated in the Sahyadri mountains near Lonavala and is famous for two forts, including Shrivardhan Fort and Manaranjan Fort. Ruled by the famous rulers like Shivaji Maharaj, Emperor Aurangzeb, Shahu Maharaj and the British, the village holds significance for history enthusiasts. To reach the village, you can either trek for 3-4 hours starting from the Kondhane caves or drive to the village from Lonavala. From the village, the forts are just a 20-30 minute trek away. Numerous Treebo hotels near Rajmachi Point, Lonavala, offer private cab facilities to help you explore the places to visit in Lonavala at your leisure. 7. Karla Caves: The ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves, Karla Caves, are one of the most famous tourist places in Lonavala, attracting a large number of history enthusiasts, devotees and nature lovers. The caves, also known as Karli Caves, Karle Caves or Karla Cell and are known to be one of the oldest Buddhist cave shrines in India, which is believed to have been built around the 2nd century BC. It houses one of the largest Chaityas (prayer hall with a stupa) in India and the Ekvira Temple dedicated to Goddess Ekveera. To reach the caves, you have to climb around 350 steps from the base hill or 200 steps from the car park around halfway up the hill. You can book a stay at hotels near Karla Caves, Lonavala, offering private cab facilities for a convenient travel towards the caves and other tourist attractions in the city. 8. Bhushi Dam: One of the significant dams built on the Indrayani River in Lonavala, Bhushi Dam is a must-visit destination, especially during the monsoon season. The water in the dam overflows during the season, creating a sort of waterfall which flows through the steps of the dam and then the rocky terrain, making it a breathtaking sight to behold. It is also a perfect spot to enjoy picnics and spend relaxing time with your loved ones. If you are looking for a family-friendly stay in the city, then Treebo hotels near Bhushi Dam Lonavala offer a home-like experience to the guests by offering them modern amenities and complimentary services like breakfast, Wifi and toiletries. Thus, the places to visit in Lonavala not only offer an escape from the city chaos but also offer an insight into the rich heritage of the region. So, whether you are a nature lover, a history enthusiast or an adventure seeker, these places are perfect for you. Moreover, for the ideal accommodation, you can easily find numerous Treebo hotels in Lonavala, which you can directly book from Treebo Club's website or app.