Gooty Fort, Gooty, Ananthapuram




















The history of Gooty dates back to the 7th century when is was previously known as Gowthamapuri. The region of Gooty was first under the rule of king Ashoka and there is a minor rock edict in Yerraguda (6 km from Gooty).


In the subsequent centuries Gooty was under the rule of Sri Krishnadevaraya's Vijayanagara empire. The Pemmasani Nayaks of Gandikota controlled Gooty as subordinates of Vijayanagar kings. Later, it came under the control of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan of the Kingdom of Mysore.

Temples in and around fort: Famous temples in this area are Anjaneya Swamy Temple and Jyothimma Temple.


As per one of the inscriptions, the place was called as 'Gadha' meaning "Fort" while an inscription of Bukkaraya, the Vijayanagaran monarch, mentions this place as "King of Forts".

Fort -- past &present :

watercolour below by Justinian Gantz :










One of the graves in the premises points to the fact the Fort was in occupation of the British from 1817 onwards. Another grave epitaph points to the fact there was cholera in Gooty in 1824, in which many a british soldiers perished.



The Palace in the court yard seems to have been razed to ground by the British and all its wealth seems to have been plundered. The British hatred towards Tipu Sultan is well known fact since Tipu tried to align with the French to stall the progress of British East India company & empire in India.


Inside the Fort:

If you will see the entire image of fort, you will find that it is built in shell shape, it comprises fifteen forts along with fifteen prime doors. The strengthening contains ranges of walls linked through fourteen gateways that have been bordered through bastions. Gooty fort's no building includes architectural importance. fort comprises 2 edifices, that looks like powder magazine and gymnasium along with tiny pavilion that is shining by lime stone, which is known as seat of Morari Rao. Here you can see several wells that are located in rock's clefts. One of the well is considered to have linked to stream that is located at hill's foot area.



Gooty Fort reveal the splendor of the era which were filled with strife and warfare. It is revelation of the strategic warfare techniques adopted from the days of Vijayanagar, Maratha, Tipu Sultan and the British regime.

How to reach :
Rail : Gooty (Railway Code: GY) is also a place having a significant railway presence. It is probably South India's only "Railway Town" owing its importance and presence to the railway line passing through it. Located on Mumbai Chennai railway route, it is home to one of the 5 diesel locomotive sheds in the South Central Railways(SCR).
Bus : Situated on the Bangalore Hyderabad NH-7.
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