Vizianagaram Fort

About Vizianagaram Fort

Vizianagaram fort is 18th-century fort in northeastern Andhra Pradesh, South India. It was built by Vijaya Rama Raju, the Maharaja of Vizianagaram in 1713. While laying the foundation for the fort, it was represented five signs of victory. There are many temples and palaces within the fort and a victory tower.

The Vizianagaram Fort was built in 1713 at a location where five Signs of Victory were supposed to be present. It is named after its founder Maharaja Vijay Ram Raju, also known as Ananda Raju I 1671 – 1717, the Maharaja of Vizianagaram. The site for the fort was suggested to the Maharajas by a Muslim saint, Mahabub Valli, who was doing penance in that forest.

There are two main gates of the fort that are architecturally elegant, with a built-in Rajasthani style of architecture. The east main gate is called the Nagar khana as it has a drum tower at the top which was used to beat drums to inform the people of royal orders and the arrival of royal guests. The west gate is the rear entrance to the Vizianagaram fort. This gateway is also built-in Rajasthani style with a pavilion on top. The gate provides access to the royal tombs and is a traditional gateway to take out dead bodies for cremation. In place of a moat, which existed in the past, there is now a well-turned park extending to the west gate.

The Moti Mahal is the royal court of the Durbar hall which was built by Vijayarama Raju-III in 1869. At the entry to this hall, there are two marble statues. This is a monument that represents the past glory, donated to the Maharajah Alak Narayan Society of Arts and Science by its founder Dr. P.V.G. Raju, the Raja Saheb of Vizianagaram, is now functioning as a college for women on its first floor. It also houses a museum that has artifacts of the past kings who ruled from the fort.