Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka Fort

About

Nestled in the historic town of Sira, Karnataka, the Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka Fort stands as a timeless testament to the region's rich past. The fort's foundations were laid in the early 17th century, mirroring the Nayakas' dominion during that era. Legend has it that the site was chosen auspiciously, guided by the omen of a hare chasing a hound, a common motif in fort construction across India during those times. Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka initiated the fort's construction, intending to fortify Sira and create a lasting legacy. Spread across 197.5 acres, the Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka Fort boasts a blend of stone and brick architecture. Surrounded by a moat and a meticulously designed glacis, the fortifications encompass 18 bastions strategically placed along the perimeter. Over the centuries, the fort witnessed the ebb and flow of Vijayanagara, Adil Shahi, Mughal, Maratha, Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, and Wodeyar rule. Photo by Nagaraja LG, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons