Kakati fort

Kakati is a village 6 kms north of Belgaum; it is the birthplace of Kittur Rani Chennamma. Kakati fort is situated on the edge of a hill range next to the village. It is believed that Chennamma as a child grew up in this hill fort. Later she was married to Mallasarja Desai of Kittur, about 42 kms from Kakati.

October 5, 2013

The fort was easy to locate, the hill is situated right next to NH4. A narrow road flanked by homes links the highway and the hill; a stairway links the base of the hill to the fort; a five minute climb. Light rain started as I ascended and stopped as I reached the fort. Sky was cloudy and air was mist laden.

One of the bastions. Ground was slippery, I had to take extra care while moving around.

The fort is built on a sloping surface and this bastion is the highest point of the fort. The fort gives a commanding view of the plains to the west. Perhaps this bastion can be called Nishan Burj ~ flag bastion.

This is the northern view of Nishan Burj, one half has collapsed.

At the top is a narrow stairway; obviously there will be an opening below.

Other side of the bastion. The narrow opening is the entrance to the stairway to the bastion top.

Kakati fort has two sets of walls, inner and outer.

Here's a rough plan of the fort.

The inner wall is wide and solid looking. Space within the inner loop is devoid of structures except for a below ground level water tank.

Kakati fort is in ruins except for few surviving bastions and walls. Even though Karnataka government had recently sanctioned crores of rupees for development of this monument, there's not a single signage. Absolutely no information about the history of this fort. Well, nothing new; so called development work is always short lived.

View of the entrance and security complex.

To the fort's north is the vast summit of the hill range.

To the south is a valley. Beyond the mist is Belgaum.

Statue of Rani Chennamma in the village square.

Kakati fort coordinates: Coordinates: 15°55'56"N   74°31'56"E
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