Throughout my school days, I had read about Devgiri and its checkered history. I had always wanted to see the place, especially the mysterious fort with its false doorways and crocodile filled moat. Finally I had the opportunity to visit it last December.
Built by Yadavas in 1187, the fort was the centre of trade and commerce. Since it was situated in a strategic position on the Deccan, the powerful sultans of Delhi, who wanted to conquer south India always eyed this fort.In 1296, Allauddin Khilji , sultan of Delhi invaded it and forced the Yadava chieftain to be his vassal. Khilji's commander-in-chief Mullik Kafer made Devgiri his Head Quarters to raid and plunder Dwarasamudra in the south. It is said that he carried hundreds of elephants loaded with gold , spices and jewels from there to Delhi.
Now the fort is inhabited by monkeys which frighten the visitors!
Devgiri is also famous for the shenanigans of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi in the 14th century.In 1328, he ordered all the citizens of Delhi to move to Devgiri, which he made his new capital. All those who refused to move were killed by being stamped by elephants!But after a few years, he made those who were still alive to move back to Delhi.
My thanks to the team of
Our World Tuesday, where you can find interesting blogs.
It's lovely that you got to visit a place you've long wanted to visit. The site is certainly very old and I like the fort structure and the elephant carving.
ReplyDeleteSo many worthwhile places to visit in India. You cannot finish in a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
Fascinating place and delightful photos!
ReplyDeleteHappy Week to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka, (A Creative Harbor)