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The picturesque hill fort at Kondapalli is situated in the Krishna district
of Andhra Pradesh State. 16 km northwest of Vijayawada city, it is ocally
known as Kondapalli Quilla. It is believed that the Kondapalli Fort have
been founded by the Eastern Chalukya in the 8C, before being occupied
by Prolaya Vema Reddy in the 14th Century.
Spread over an area of 18sq km, it was initially built
as a pleasure place and a business centre, along with the Kondavid Fort
in Guntur district. The king used to visit this fort for relaxation and
recreation. It passed hands successively and was witness to the rise and
fall of many dynasties. The fort was conquered by the Bahamanis in 1471
and from them passed to the Qutub Shahis, who made this fort an important
stronghold in the Krishna Delta and eloborated by totaling new structures.
Later, the fort came under the Nizam rulers before becoming
a British military camp in 1767. The fort, which has a picturesque sight
is situated on a hill. It also has an impressive three storied rock tower.
Inside the fort complex, there are several ruined buildings like a deep
tank fed by a natural spring, a 'Gajasala', where elephants were kept,
the Ranimahal (Queen's palace), Virupaksha Temple, 'Bhojanasala' (dining
hall), and prisons among others.
The lower fort, can be entered through three succuessive
gates at the foot of the hill. The path is thickly overgrown with jungle
and cactus. The barracks within the wall are ruined. The climb of the
hill is by way of a path winding between two ridges, climbing up for more
than 1 km, mostly by way of a stone staircase. The ruins of an old palace
perched on a creast above the path.
The upper fort is entered also through a three large
entrances, collectively known as the Dargah Gate. They have 5 m high stone
walls. The main gate of 3.7 m wide and 4.6 m high has been made out of
a single slab of granite. Its name is derived from the tomb or dargha
of Gulab Shah, who was killed here defending the fort. Above this is the
Tanisha Mahal, a Qutub Shahi structure which is located on a crest between
two hills. The other main gate Golconda darwaza is located on the other
end of the hill, which leads to Jaggaiahpet village. Near the fort there
is a Dargah of a Persian Saint, Gareeb Sahib. The fort remains open for
public throughout the day.
The surrounding Kondapalli village is well known for
its brightly painted wooden Kondapalli toys, locally known as 'Kondapalli
Bommalu'. The toys have a great demand in both national and international
markets. The Kondapalli Fort and the famous Kondapalli toys makes it a
must visit when in Vijayawada.
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Monuments 
