Kavaledurga Fort

Kavaledurga Fort
Part of Tirthahalli
Tirthahalli, India
Aerial view
Site information
TypeFort
Controlled byArchaeological survey of india
Open to
the public
Yes
ConditionRuins
Location
Kavaledurga Fort
Coordinates13°43′08″N 75°07′19″E / 13.71879°N 75.12198°E / 13.71879; 75.12198
Site history
Built9th century
MaterialsGranites

Kavualedurga Fort (Kannada ಕವಲೇದುರ್ಗದ ಕೋಟೆ) is a 9th-century fort 18 km (11 mi) from Thirthahalli, Shimoga. It was the fourth and last capital of Keladi kingdom. The fort was administered by the Keladi Nayakas from 1499 and later asserted its independence following the 1565 fall of Vijayanagara, enduring sieges and serving as a refuge for figures such as Queen Chennamma in 1677 and the Maratha prince Rajaram in 1689. Under successive Mysore rulers it saw intermittent garrison use before gradual abandonment left its concentric walls, hidden stairways, and temple ruins to decay amid lush monsoon foliage.