Chitradurga is located at a distance of 202 kms northwest of Bangalore, in the heart of the Deccan Plateau.Chitradurga owes its name to “Chitrakaladurga,” or “Picturesque castle”. Hospet is often used as a base when visiting Chitradurga.When travelling from Hassan to Hospet it is good to make a stop and visit the fort here.The Fort here is a massive and sits on top of granite hills that rise dramatically from the ground. Archaeological remains found in the area, trace its history to the 3rd millennium B.C. A rock cut edict of Emperor Ashoka, near Bharamagiri reveals that Chitradurga was part of the Mauryan Empire dating to the 3rd century B.C.
After the fall of the Mauryans, this land was under the rule of royal dynasties like the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas and Hoysalas. But it really achieved eminence, as a feudatory state of the Vijayanagar Empire, under the dynastic rule of the Nayakas or “Paleyars”, known for their heroic exploits. The most eminent of the feudatory chieftains, was Madakari Nayaka, who after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire consolidated his power.
The hill fortress was built by the Nayakas during the Vijayanagar era, became their stronghold later. In 1779, the fort was captured by Haider Ali, who along with his son Tipu Sultan, was responsible for its expansion and strengthening. After Tipu Sultan’s defeat by the British, the fort came under the rule of the Royal Mysore family.
Today sightseeing in Chitradurga encompasses the many historical sites like the ancient monastery of Ankali Math also called Paradeshappana Guhe. Here there are a number of caves underneath the Kallu Mantapa (stone sanctum) of the mutt. This might have served as a refuge for monks when praying. The scenic valley of Chandravalli is located to the north west of Chitradurga. Chandravalli is an ancient archeological site and coins, inscriptions, ruins, stone images belonging to the Hoisala-Kadamb and Sathavahana period have been discovered. The imposing fort of Chitradurga is known as the Kallina Kote or the Palace of Stone. This enormous fort, is regarded as a marvel of military architecture and has stood guard against enemies. Encircled by seven massive walls, the fort has 19 gateways, and 38 posterior entrances, of which four are secret. The approach to each gate is uphill and through passages that twist and turn. This made it impossible to use elephants or battering rams to break down the gates.