Telangana is well known as the seed capital of India and also for its coal mine. This state not only contributes to the economy of India but also has a wide area for tourism. Though there are many places to explore in Telangana, Khammam Fort tops the list with its beautiful architecture and historical importance. It is constructed on a hilltop at a height of 867 metres and hence historical inscriptions hold its earlier name as “Kambham Mettu”, where Mettu means hills. Surrounded by greenery all around, this fort is a perfect place for all historians and architect lovers.
Khammam Fort History
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The Khammam Fort is spread over an area of 4 square km, representing Hindu and Islamic cultures. It was built with granite and has steps constructed everywhere needed, to facilitate walking because it is built on the Stambhadri hills. The Khammam Fort stands as a mark of bravery, pride, and glory history holds. It was constructed by the Kakatiya rulers in the ‘950s. A few other kings like the Velama and Musunuri Nayak were also involved in its construction. The fort depicts the perfect combination of art, architecture, and culture of different religions. Later in 1531, the fort was further developed by the Qutub Shahi kings. It went under the guardianship of the Indian Government (Archeological Department) in 1948 and has been taken care of since then.
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Architecture
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The fort is surrounded by a rock cliff about 13 to 25 metres in height and 4.5 to 6 metres in width. Several windows and balconies were made along the wall so that the guns and cannons could be used during the war. Khammam Fort has the capability of mounting 60 cannons at a time. It has almost 10 large gates, each having a cannon mounted on them at its entrance. Made along with a water pot made of rock, they are built in such a way that even a cannonball can not break it. But the gates are now damaged, leading to the deformation of the shape.
Khammam Fort Gates & Cannons
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Among all the gates in the Khammam Fort, the entrance gate is the tallest and is about 30 feet tall. The entrance gate is also known as khilla darwaza, which means Urdu’s ‘entrance gate’. Though partially destroyed, this gate has 2 canons, one on each side of the entrance. One of those canons is still mounted with a head. Unfortunately, these too are partially damaged due to the carelessness of the Archeology Department. The secondary gate of the fort is located in the east and is known as the Raathi Darwaza or Potha Darwaza and all the other gates in the fort are smaller than the main entrance gate.
More interestingly, even in those days, the architecture was so beyond the time that a rainwater catch system was also found in the Khammam Fort. It is believed to have been constructed during the rule of Zafar-ud-doula. He is well-known for the construction of tanks during the Qutub Shahi dynasty. This step well is 60 feet X 30 feet, has a bridge to allow men and horses to cross over, and is known as ‘Zafar well’.
After entering from the Khilla Darwaza, the fort can be seen easily from a distance of 300 metres. Small steps are made on the hill to allow easy walking through the fort. They were renovated and railing support was also provided in 2005, during the 1000-year celebration of the Khammam fort. But the small gates (known as Dalohiswar) are all around the fort and are still the same. The huge 10-foot-long stones used for creating the fort’s walls are placed tightly without using any limestone or mud, leaving an amazing example of ancient architecture and construction. These rocks are so huge that it is believed that elephants were used to transport them to the fort.
There used to be a Gallow, which is believed to be the seat of justice. The platform is made of stones and resembles a ‘well,’ hence its name, Nethi Bhavi (meaning Ghee well) by the locals. The stones used to create this structure were bought only from Khammam.
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Secret Tunnels
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The Khammam Fort is believed to have some secret tunnels connecting it to Warangal Fort. It has multiple entrances from different locations of the fort. One of these entrances is 10 feet in diameter and has small stairs. But it is closed, and visitors are not allowed to enter it due to the damage over time. There are many local stories regarding these tunnels. According to some locals, kings used it to exchange or deliver valuables, while others believed that the army people used it.
How To Reach Khammam Fort
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Khammam district is located 193 km east of Hyderabad in Telangana and also, the Khammam fort is easily accessible through various options.
By Train: Khammam Fort in Khammam district is well-connected with major cities all over India. The nearest railway station to the fort is the Khammam Railway Station, which is located 1.2 km away and can be reached within 5 to 10 minutes through any local auto or rickshaw.
By Air: The only nearest airport to Khammam Fort is the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. There is a distance of 195 km between the Khammam Fort and the airport; hence, it is suggested that you choose the cab/taxis available at the airport. From there, you can directly reach the fort, which may take 2-3 hours. You may also opt for a bus or train.
By Road: Khammam is well-connected with major cities and states through state and national highways. Visitors may choose any buses from private operators or the state transportation available to and from Khammam for Khammam Fort.
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Khammam Fort is not only an attraction for historians and archaeology enthusiasts but also for those who wish to experience history amidst nature. The fort being surrounded by lush greenery is a perfect backdrop if you are a photographer. This place provides a majestic view, a beautiful sunset, and a fantastic view of the Khammam district. Don’t miss your chance to visit this historic gem, book a trip to Andhra Praesh and plan a visit to this iconic fort today!
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Cover Image Credit: Iharishs for Wikimedia Common
Frequently Asked Questions About Khammam Fort
Is there any entry fee for the Khammam Fort?
There is a fee of Rs 15 for adults and Rs 10 for every child to enter the Khammam fort.
How much time does it take to explore the whole fort?
It just takes about 1 to 2 hours to roam around the Khammam fort. The best time to visit is in the early morning when the temperature is cooler.
Can Khammam Fort be visited at night?
Yes, Khammam Fort is open 24 hours from Thursday to Saturday, allowing visitors and locals to explore it even at night.
Are visitors allowed to carry food inside Khammam Fort?
Avoid carrying any kind of food items inside Khammam Fort to ensure cleanliness in and around this historical site.
Is there parking available near Khammam Fort?
Yes, parking space is available for visitors near Khammam Fort. The parking may be chargeable so it is advised to check before you plan a visit.
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