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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(JUNE 7, 1872.
The place is inhabited now by a colony of swallows which dazzled with the light of the torch as we entered, fluttered wildly about, and fell with outspread wings on the ground.
Kondavid hill has a considerable extent of pasturage which is leased out, and the custard apples alone fetch some Rupees 300 a-year. The bamboo grows on the summit, and gives its name to one of the tanks.
The tradition and history of the place has been collected, a copy of the Telugu manuscript of which is in the possession of one of the village Karnams. Sir Walter Elliot is said tc have taken the original, and left this copy instead.
Kondapilly. This is an old hill fort which formerly belonged to the Nizam, it is about ten miles west of Bejwádá. All along the road and in the town there are numerous remains of old Masjids, Ashur Khanas, Pirla Chawadis, and Muhamadan burying grounds. Not far from Ibrahimpatam, on the north of the road, is a well, known as a well of the Minister of Krishna Deva Royalu who lived about 1550. The fort is entered through three successive massive gates at the foot of the hill, and by the fort walls a considerable space is enclosed, all thickly over-grown with jungle and luxuriant cactus. Within the limits of the old fort were built the English Barracks, which are still standing, consisting of eight large rooms besides outhouses, all in tolerable order. There was formerly a detachment sent here from the Regiment stationed at Masulipatam, but the place is now entirely abandoned as a military post, and the old barracks are used by any visitors as a halting bangala. Opposite the barracks is an English burying ground enclosed by a mud wall, but the tombs are all of comparatively recent date. A few hundred yards from the bangala, the ascent of the hill commences. It is & winding tortuous path between two hills, and the whole way for about three quarters of a mile is a climb by & staircase of stones placed in position to form steps. The labour of constructing this must have been great; many of the stones have the mark of blasting, and many are cut and trimmed as if they had previously been used for some other purposes. The ordinary mode of ascent is on foot, but visitors can be carried up by bearers. The bearers through practice go up with their burden very quickly. As one approaches the summit, the ruins of the old palace appear perched on a crest between the two hills, on either side of the Pass. The heights are fortified with towers, and loopholed ranges of battlemented wall show how strong the place must once have been. On every jutting crag and eminence there are works which completely command the Pass. The upper fort is entered through three enormous gateways in succession. This entrance is known as the Dargah Darwaja. The sides of the gateways, about fifteen feet high, are single blocks of granite, and
the lintels about twelve feet wide are the same. The gate derives its name from the dargah or tomb of Ghulab Shah, who was killed here in fight. It was endowed with twelve kuchelas of Inam land, which has been subsequently reduced to eight, yielding eight kattis of produce. The endowment is for the purpose of keeping the tomb in repair. It is a modern looking edifice, plastered white inside and out, in close proximity to the ruins of an old Masjid.
Immediately above this stands the Tanisha Mahal or palace. The fort is said to have been originally built by the Reddis who once ruled this part of the country, but this building is purely Muhammadan. The whole of the ground floor consists of extensive cloisters, supported by stone-built pillars, and the roofs arched. Between the pillars, in some instances, partitions have been run up, so as to form separate chambers. This ground floor was probably used as a barrack for troops. The floors are all paved with stone, and the masonry is exceedingly strong and good. At present these cloisters are used at night for the protection of the cattle which are sent up the hill to graze in large numbers. A small stone staircase leads to the upper floor, where there is a great hall over which a thatched roof was lately placed, when & party of gentlemen came up here to spend the Christmas Holidays. There are several bath-rooms with stone cisterns and pipes providing the escape for the water. There are the remains of a number of large and small chambers, but all unroofed. The walls have been originally plastered, and the orna'mental designs are still visible; some in excellent preservation. There is a balcony overlooking a large tank, a terrace leading past what was once the garden to the zenana. These apartments are surrounded by a high wall. There is a court-yard within having a large stone bath, to which water was conveyed by pipes, and there are the remains of various chambers all now unroofed. The walls are covered with ornamental niches.
Leaving the zenana, a path leads to the great reservoir, which is supplied by a spring, and where the water never fails. It is very cold, and said to produce fever. The reservoir is of great depth. There are also several tanks on the hill which, however, dry up during the hot weather, and in the tanks several wells.
Beyond the reservoir is the granary, a massive building of stone supported on high arches, and so constructed that each compartment might be divided by stone walls, so as to make a number of Beparate receptacles for grain. There is but one entrance below, but each receptacle has an aperture at the top. The place is now tenanted by millions of bats which, continually flying about, give forth the sound of rushing water. Beyond the granaries are the magazines. All around the hill is strongly defended by towers and ramparts. Besides the
