Mudkavi Fort – A Living Heritage Site

Location & Overview

Located approximately 20 kilometers from Ramdurg Fort, Mudkavi Fort stands uniquely positioned on a hillock slope. The fort’s distinctive feature is its integration with modern life – half of the village, including a government school, exists within its historic walls.

Key Structures & Points of Interest

• Flag Bastion – Located near Mudkavi bus-stand
• Main Entrance Complex – Features three distinct gateways:
  • Human and horse passage
  • Elephant-width gateway
  • Wide passage for elephants, chariots, and cannons
• Inner Fort Gateway
• Maddinakoli – Ancient ammunition store within a bastion
• Religious Structures:
  • Hanuman Temple
  • Erannagudi Temple – Recently restored
  • Ancient temple ruins with Deepastambha

Architectural Features

• Six regularly spaced bastions along the western wall
• Inner fort with five square bastions and one circular bastion
• Precision-crafted gun holes along the ramparts
• 7-foot wide walls extending into the lake
• Camouflaged stairways within the structure
• Five-acre inner fort area

Water Management

The fort includes a lake that serves as the primary water source for Mudkavi residents. The complex gateway system connects to the lake through cleverly designed curved passages, demonstrating advanced medieval engineering and defensive architecture.

Current State

While some parts of the fort remain well-preserved, several sections, particularly the bastions and rampart walls, are deteriorating and require immediate conservation attention. Despite this, the fort continues to be an integral part of daily life for the local community.