The fortifications of Badami consist of a lower fort enclosing the town and on a level with the plain, commanded by two strong forts on the hills, the northern one being calledBavanbande-kote or fifty-two rocks fort and the southern one called Ranamandala-kote or battle – field fort. The two forts stand about 300 yards apart, each about 240 feet above the plain. Both these forts were dismantled in about 1845.
Northern Fort: The northern fort which is the larger and stronger of the two, is built upon detached masses of steep rock cut by narrow chasms into separate blocks. From a distance, the fort appears on the north as if wholly built of masonry, but an examination shows the immense rocks joined by masonry. Over these rocks at irregular intervals, are bastions of various sizes joined by strong loopholed masonry walls. These bastions are in commanding positions. The walls were able to receive musketry and in some places were strong enough to hold heavy ordance. The passage to the fort was from the inner town. It lay over a series of stone steps and through several narrow gates.
Temple: There are two old temples on the northern fort. Considering their different altitudes, they are called as Upper Shivalaya and Lower Sivalaya. Upper Sivalaya: Though now partly ruined, this temple is remarkable for its imposing superstructure, which, due to the prominent situation of the building, effectively dominates the town beneath. The temple originally incorporated a square sanctuary passageway on three sides and columned hall in a rectangle of walls. There is a small porch to the east. There are traces of paintings on the walls of the veranda and in the rectangular panels of the inner part of the cornice.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

Dharwad Circle

The north fort and temples

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The north fort and temples

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