Elgandal Fort

Hill fort in Telangana, India

Elgandal Fort is situated amidst palm groves on the banks of the Manair River (a tributary of the Godavari River), approximately from Karimnagar on the Sircilla Road in the Indian state of Telangana. It was once under the control of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, the Mughal Empire, and the Nizams of Hyderabad. During the Nizam era it was the headquarters of Karimnagar. It is believed that a secret tunnel connects Elgandal Fort and Manakondur some from Karimnagar on the Karimnagar Vemulawada highway.

Originally known as Veligundula, Elgandal is a hillfort built of during the Kakatiya dynasty (1083–1323) and served as a stronghold for the warrior Musunuri Nayaks. The Qutb Shahi dynasty occupied the fort in the 16th century and posted Quinamul Mulk as commander. Subsequently, it fell under the administrative control of the Mughal Empire. Amin Khan was appointed as Khiledar of Elagandal during the reign of Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah I (r. 1724–1748) followed by Muqarrab Khan. Mirza Ibrahim dhamsa became Khiledar during the reign of Nawab Salabat Jung. Dhamsa rebuilt and strengthened the fort in 1754 during the reign of Sikandar Jah (r.1803 1823). Bahadur Khan and Karimuddin served as Khiledars. While reorganizing the districts, the Sixth Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, shifted the District Headquarters from Elagandal to Karimnagar in 1905. Elgandal's rulers surrounded the fort with a crocodile filled moat of around wide and deep to prevent enemy incursions. The site also houses a mosque and an eidgah, the designated place for special Eid prayers.