Gajendragad Fort is a historical fort built by the famous Maratha ruler Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort is located in the Gadag district of Karnataka state and has an average height of 2109 feet. The city is a historical place and the name Gajendragada is a combination of elephant and fort (Gajendra= elephant god, gad= fort) as it is shaped like an elephant when viewed from above.
Gajendragad Fort is 415 km from Bangalore, 126 km from Hubballinagar, 68 km from Gadag city by road. It is 66 km by railway and only 02 km from Gajendragad city.
History
After the Second Mysore War, Tipu Sultan had to engage in armed conflict with the Marathas and the Nizam (during 1786-87). The war ended with the Treaty of Gajendragad. As part of the Treaty of Gajendragad, Badami and Gajendragad were ceded to the Marathas. Gajendragad is surrounded by historical sites related to Badami Chalukyas and Western Chalukyas. Gajendragad fort and town were built by Shivaji.
Highlights of Gajendragarh Fort
- A grand fort entrance with artworks such as a five-headed snake and two lions facing each other
- Lord Hanuman idol
- Inscriptions in Hindi and Marathi languages
- Water tank
- Elephant head carvings
- A view of the village below and the windmills in the distance
- Places of Worship- A Dargah, Mosque and Kalakaleshwar Temple
- Ruins
