The state of Telangana has a vast culturally rich heritage. Several great dynasties have had their seat of power right here. Known as the land of the Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb, Telangana has been home to a diverse mix of cultures. The Satavahanas, Rashtrakuta's, Kakatiya's and the Nawab's of Nizam have infused this region with a great wealth of culture. These treasured monuments were carefully maintained under the patronage of royalty. This is also one of the reasons why they have stood the test of time and endured even to this day.
However, times are changing now. Rapid unchecked development, overpopulation and a paradigm shift in cultural awareness have brought about a rapid change on the role these monuments play in our society. Several heritage monuments and the long history that they come with are in danger of going to ruin. If serious steps are not taken at the earliest, future generations may not get to see these landmarks of our culture.
1) Elgandla Fort: Karimnagar
Originally known as Veligundula, Elgandal is a hillfort built in 1140 AD during the Kakatiya dynasty and served as a stronghold for the warrior clans Musunuri Nayaks and Recharla padmanayaks. The Qutub Shahi dynasty occupied the fort in the 16th century and appointed Quinamul Mulk as its commander.
2) Nirmal Fort: Adilabad
Nirmal fort was built in 1650 under the rule of Srinivasa rao. Although, not much is documented about this fort, the sheer size and magnificence of the ruins is enough to draw attention.
3) Nelakondapalli Buddhist Stupas: Khammam
Nelakondapalli is a historic site encompassed by a mud fortification covering nearly one-hundred acres.Excavations there have unearthed several foundations of brick-built viharas, wells, cisterns, a mahastupa, terracotta figurines, a bronze idol of Buddha, a miniature stupa carved in limestone and other materials from the 3rd and 4th centuries.
4) Ramappa Temple: Warangal
Ramappa Temple was built in the year 1213 AD and said to have been built by a General Recherla Rudra, during the period of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva. The temple was built on the classical pattern of being lifted above the world on a high star-shaped platform.The temple is situated in a valley and is built with bricks so light that they can float on water, which was established after conducting exhaustive tests, indicating the greatness of this creative master pieces in our history.
5) Bhongiri Fort: Nalgonda
It was built in the 10th century on an isolated monolithic rock by the Western Chalukya ruler Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI and was therefore named after him as Tribhuvanagiri.
6) Nizamabad Quilla: Nizamabad
Nizamabad Fort is one of the most famous forts in the city that is a blend of power, elegance and architectural brilliance. Rashtrakuta rulers constructed the fort during the 10th century. Located on top of a hill at an altitude of about 300 meters, the fort has been under the rule of various dynasties and it has undergone modifications periodically. The temple of Lord Rama in the fort was built by Chatrapathi Shivaji, the famous Marathi ruler.
7) Panagal Fort: Mahabubnagar
It was built by Kalyani Chalukya Kings during 11th and 12th Centuries A.D. It is located about 30 Kms away from Wanaparthy towards Kollapur. The fort is spread across hundreds of acres with Seven Entrances.
8) Medak Fort: Medak
The fort was built sometime around the 12th century and during the reign of the Kakatiyan ruler, Pratapa Rudra and was called Methuku durgam, meaning cooked rice in Telugu. It was a command post of the Kakatians and later for Qutub Shahis. The fort has great historical and architectural importance in Telangana. Within the fort is a 17th-century Mosque built by the Qutub Shahis, granaries and remains of grand housing spaces
9) Keesaragutta: Rangareddy
Keesaragutta was once the capital city of Vishnukundin dynasty.The Archaeology department conducted several excavations at this site and brought to light a number of brick Temples, cells and other structures encompassed by brick prakara walls, Vishnukundin coins, beads, stucco figures, garbhapatra, pottery, as well as Brahmin label inscriptions dating back to 4th – 5th Century A.D.
10) Asman Ghar: Hyderabad
The name of this fort translates literally as 'Home in the Skies' (Asman for Sky, and Garh for home). The name came into being because the palace was located at a great height on a hillock. The palace hosted a grand museum displaying archaeological relics. The palace has now been converted into a school (St Joseph's Public School, Asman Garh Palace branch) Located near the T.V. Tower at Malakpet, the Asmangarh Palace was constructed in 1885 by the Paigah Noble Sir Asman Jah.
2) Nirmal Fort: Adilabad
Nirmal fort was built in 1650 under the rule of Srinivasa rao. Although, not much is documented about this fort, the sheer size and magnificence of the ruins is enough to draw attention.
3) Nelakondapalli Buddhist Stupas: Khammam
Nelakondapalli is a historic site encompassed by a mud fortification covering nearly one-hundred acres.Excavations there have unearthed several foundations of brick-built viharas, wells, cisterns, a mahastupa, terracotta figurines, a bronze idol of Buddha, a miniature stupa carved in limestone and other materials from the 3rd and 4th centuries.
4) Ramappa Temple: Warangal
Ramappa Temple was built in the year 1213 AD and said to have been built by a General Recherla Rudra, during the period of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva. The temple was built on the classical pattern of being lifted above the world on a high star-shaped platform.The temple is situated in a valley and is built with bricks so light that they can float on water, which was established after conducting exhaustive tests, indicating the greatness of this creative master pieces in our history.
5) Bhongiri Fort: Nalgonda
It was built in the 10th century on an isolated monolithic rock by the Western Chalukya ruler Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI and was therefore named after him as Tribhuvanagiri.
6) Nizamabad Quilla: Nizamabad
Nizamabad Fort is one of the most famous forts in the city that is a blend of power, elegance and architectural brilliance. Rashtrakuta rulers constructed the fort during the 10th century. Located on top of a hill at an altitude of about 300 meters, the fort has been under the rule of various dynasties and it has undergone modifications periodically. The temple of Lord Rama in the fort was built by Chatrapathi Shivaji, the famous Marathi ruler.
7) Panagal Fort: Mahabubnagar
It was built by Kalyani Chalukya Kings during 11th and 12th Centuries A.D. It is located about 30 Kms away from Wanaparthy towards Kollapur. The fort is spread across hundreds of acres with Seven Entrances.
8) Medak Fort: Medak
The fort was built sometime around the 12th century and during the reign of the Kakatiyan ruler, Pratapa Rudra and was called Methuku durgam, meaning cooked rice in Telugu. It was a command post of the Kakatians and later for Qutub Shahis. The fort has great historical and architectural importance in Telangana. Within the fort is a 17th-century Mosque built by the Qutub Shahis, granaries and remains of grand housing spaces
9) Keesaragutta: Rangareddy
Keesaragutta was once the capital city of Vishnukundin dynasty.The Archaeology department conducted several excavations at this site and brought to light a number of brick Temples, cells and other structures encompassed by brick prakara walls, Vishnukundin coins, beads, stucco figures, garbhapatra, pottery, as well as Brahmin label inscriptions dating back to 4th – 5th Century A.D.
10) Asman Ghar: Hyderabad
The name of this fort translates literally as 'Home in the Skies' (Asman for Sky, and Garh for home). The name came into being because the palace was located at a great height on a hillock. The palace hosted a grand museum displaying archaeological relics. The palace has now been converted into a school (St Joseph's Public School, Asman Garh Palace branch) Located near the T.V. Tower at Malakpet, the Asmangarh Palace was constructed in 1885 by the Paigah Noble Sir Asman Jah.
