Gulbarga fort to be restored

Source: The Hindu

Special Correspondent
The ASI has sanctioned Rs. 10 lakh for the project

State Government will restore one acre around the Ranamandal

ASI has been urged to release more funds



Regal:Regional Commissioner Rajneesh Goel atop the ‘Ranamandal' at the entrance of the Gulbarga fort.
GULBARGA: The 14th century Gulbarga fort, which remained untouched by rival forces in the times of Bahamani dynasty and other rulers, is all set to regain its lost glory with the Archaeological Survey of India and the State Government joining hands for its restoration and beautification.

The ASI had taken up restoration work on the majestic Jumma Masjid, a replica of the famed mosque in Cordoba city in Spain, standing tall inside the fort in the heart of Gulbarga city.

Now the ASI has entrusted the responsibility of restoring the one acre around the ‘Ranamandal', an imposing rock-solid fortification at the main entrance of the Gulbarga fort, to the State Government.

Regional Commissioner Rajneesh Goel who had taken special interest in restoration of the 14th century fort, told presspersons who visited the fort and Ranamandal area that the ASI has sanctioned Rs. 10 lakh for their restoration and beautification and fencing.

At the base of the imposing Ranamandal, a rose garden is being developed in a one-acre plot with a beautiful lawn and a walking track. “The main fortification of the Ranamandal has been left untouched and the restoration work will be taken up wherever required,” he said. The Ranamandal played an important role in defending the fort from enemy attacks with three cannons placed in vantage positions.

Funds

These cannons made of iron are still intact and, according to the records available, were manufactured by artisans at Lohar Galli in Gulbarga. Mr. Goel said that the ASI was being moved to release more funds to take up restoration of the remaining 3 acres around the Ranamandal to make it a tourism spot.

The fort, which has an outer wall and a moat all around, is one of the very few forts that had withstood the vagaries of weather espite very little being done to protect it.