Srirangapatna Fort Karnataka History and Interesting Facts

Srirangapatna Fort Quick Facts

Srirangapatna Fort Overview

The historic Srirangapatna Fort is located in the city of Srirangapatna in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Fort is situated on an island in the middle of river Kaveri, which is also known as Tipu Sultan's fort. Built in the 15th century, Fort is considered one of the oldest forts in Karnataka and one of the strongest in India. Lakhs of tourists from India and abroad come here to see this fort built in Indo-Islamic architectural style.

Srirangapatna Fort History

This historic fort was built by King Timmanna Nayaka of the Vijayanagara Empire in the year 1454. Timmanna Nayaka was the ruler of Chitradurga in the 15th AD, but when Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the famous Mysore Kingdom came here, he got this fort renovated, in which he also built the Lal Mahal and Tipu.

This fort was taken over by the rulers of the Wadiyar dynasty in the year 1495 after the Vijayanagara Empire, followed by the Nawabs of Arcot, then the Peshwas, the Marathas, and then Hyder Ali established the suzerainty of this fort. Saw the tenure of the rulers. In the year 1799, this fort was heavily damaged by the British army during the battle with Angelo.

Srirangapatna Fort Interesting Facts

1. This Historic fort is situated near the holy river Kaveri in Srirangapatna, Karnataka, on one side by the river Kaveri.
2. This Fort is protected from the western and northern directions.
3. The distance from Srirangapatna island to Bengaluru is 140 kms and Mysore is only 15 kms.
4. When Tipu, the ruler of Mysore, rebuilt this fort in the French architectural style, in which many temples and mosques were also built.
5. This Fort has four entrances – Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore and Jal and Gaja.
6. The entrance of the fort is its main attraction, as its entrance has been carved with the date of establishment of the fort in Parsi language.
7. On the walls of the fort, one can also see beautiful and gentle paintings like 'The Storm of Srirangapatnam' made by Sir Robert Carr.
8. The Sriranganathaswamy temple built inside this fort is very famous. This temple is considered to be the center of the Vaishnava sect. The specialty of this temple is that it is situated on three islands of the river Kaveri. It is believed that this temple was built by Ramanuja, a supporter of Vaishnavism philosophy.
9. The Juma Masjid built by Tipu is one of the major mosques inside the fort in Indo-Islamic architecture.
10. Inside this fort, there is a 'Chaturvimasati Pillar', on which 24 incarnations of Hindu God Shri Harivishnu are carved.
11. Inside the fort were the Lal Mahal and Tipu's palace, which were demolished during the British occupation of 1799.
12. There is also a dungeon in the lower chamber of the fort, which was used by the British as a karwas (jail) in ancient times.
13. Some historians believe that the temples were built at the time of the construction of the fort, but the mosques were built by demolishing some of them.
14. The Buildings from the Hosalasa king to the British rule are located here. Monuments of all religions reflect the spirit of secularism, love, and peace of the people here.
15. Tipu Sultan, the then ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, was killed in May 1799 while defending the Srirangapatna Fort in an attack by the British forces.