Belgaum Fort, Belgaum,

Belgaum Fort is a huge construct present in the heart of the town. It is said that its 15-meter deep moats were filled with ravenous crocodiles to ward off enemies in the early days.

Belgaum Fort, is located in the city of Belgaum, in the Belgaum district, in Karnataka state, India. It was built by Jaya Raya, also called Bichi Raja, an ally of the Ratta Dynasty, in the year 1204 AD. It has undergone several renovations over the centuries under different dynastic rulers of the region.

The fort, built with fine ramparts and a large moat, has a rich history with several historical and religious monuments dated to the Adil Shahi dynasty. It is also notable in modern history because Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned by the British in this fort during India’s freedom struggle.

The Belgaum fort is a major tourist attraction in Belgaum. Belgaum was ruled by a number of dynasties and as such the fort has undergone many additions and renovations throughout its existence. The original mud and stone structure of the fort was built by the Ratta Dynasty in the 13th century but it was Yakub Ali Khan of the Bijapur Sultanate who deserves credit for transforming the fort into an invincible fortress surrounded by a deep moat, huge walls, bastions, battlements and parapets.

One of the oldest forts in Karnataka, the Belgaum fort served as a bulwark against the attacks of invading armies. It steadfastly held fort as Belgaum played host to a multitude of dynasties, from the Rattas, the Vijayanagar emperors, Bijapur Sultans, Marathas and finally the British. During the freedom movement of India, Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned here.

The Belgaum fort is also an embodiment of the legacy of religious tolerance in Belgaum. Nestled within the ramparts of the fort are a number sacred shrines pertaining to different religions. The succession of rulers that held sway at the fort took an indulgent view of the myriad of holy sites. At the entrance, two shrines devoted to Ganapathi and Durga exist in harmony with the two ancient mosques, the Safa Masjid and the Jamia Masjid.

Belgaum Fort, one of the oldest monuments of Karnataka is situated in the mid of Belgaum. Jai Raya, an ally of the Ratta Dynasty, built the 13th century inventive structure built of stone-and-mud.

Yakub Ali Khan of the Bijapur Sultanate who took ownership of the fort & built its huge walls, bastions, battlements & the parapets rebuilt this fortress surrounded by a deep moat.

This fascinating monument, where mosques & temples co-exist, has a proud history, under the Rattas, Vijayanagar emperors, Bijapur Sultans, Marathas & finally the British.

Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned here during the British rule. Most of the monuments around the fort were built in the beginning of the 13th century.