Chandragiri Fort Inscriptions
Chandragiri Fort Inscriptions are a collection of inscriptions at the Chandragiri Fort in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Overview
The Chandragiri Fort contains inscriptions from the Vijayanagara and post-Vijayanagara periods, documenting the fort’s role as a secondary capital and administrative center. The inscriptions date from the 16th to 17th centuries CE.
Historical Context
Chandragiri served as the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire after the fall of Hampi in 1565. The fort was the seat of the Aravidu dynasty, the last ruling family of Vijayanagara. The inscriptions document royal land grants, temple donations, and administrative regulations. The fort also contains inscriptions from the Mysore Wodeyar and Mughal periods.
Features/Significance
The Chandragiri inscriptions document the post-Hampi Vijayanagara administration in extraordinary detail. They provide evidence of the transition from the Vijayanagara to the Mughal period in South India. The inscriptions are in Telugu, Sanskrit, and Kannada, reflecting the multilingual culture of the Vijayanagara court.
Modern Status
The Chandragiri Fort is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Andhra Pradesh State Archaeology Department. The inscriptions remain accessible within the fort complex.
Verification Notes
- ASI site code: AP-CTR-1
- 16th-17th century inscriptions
- Vijayanagara and post-Vijayanagara periods