|
Trade was also encouraged. Since Devagiri was in close proximity to trade routes cutting across the Deccan, the pulse of the ancient religious centre quickened. The Yadava move brought much wealth into the treasury and increased their power. Of course successful military campaigns went a long way in adding to the coffers of the kingdom. Soon enough reports and rumours of Devagiri's wealth made their way to kingdoms far and near.
A possibility of bringing home a share of Devagiri's riches proved to be a distracting prospect for many aspiring rulers. The Delhi Sultan's astute nephew Alauddin Khalji covertly collected information on the Yadavas- their defences, riches, and communication routes. Based on this, in 1296, he contemplated a formula of forced marches, a purported plan of heading for a destination further south (instead of Devagiri), make a quick change in direction and then launch a surprise attack. The strategy unfolded smoothly. The Khalji army reached Devagiri taking Yadava ruler Ramachandra unawares. The sovereign submitted to the ransom list, and a month later a caravan of horses and elephants laden with gold, silver, gemstones, and textiles left for Delhi. In addition, were promises of an annual tribute from Ramachandra. The booty bolstered Alauddin's confidence. He deftly deposed his uncle and ascended the throne of Delhi.
Expeditions to the Deccan continued, but after Ramachandra's son Shankar ascended the throne in 1313, he attempted to shrug off the Khalji yoke. Retribution was swift, and in the ensuing clash between the two forces, Shankar lost his life and Devagiri was lost to the Delhi Sultans, who then stayed on to cement their base in the Deccan. It was at this time that Sultan Qutubuddin Mubarak Khalji commissioned the building of the Jama Masjid to commemorate his victory. Built in 1318 largely from pre-existing temple columns and beams, the spacious prayer hall is entered through four main arched portals, with a large adjoining courtyard measuring 80 by 60 mt. A single large dome encloses the space fronting the mihrab or prayer niche, which now holds an image of Bharat Mata as the mosque had long ceased to function as a place of worship. Temple columns, a mosque layout, and an image of Mother India make this quiet monument a curious mosaic of India's multi-layered history.
In 1321, the Tughlaqs succeeded the Khaljis at Delhi. It was not long before the Deccan dotted their horizon, never mind the distance and efforts of reaching there. Hoping to control an India-wide empire, Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq attempted converting Devagiri into his second capital. In 1327, he had much of Delhi's population including religious leaders, merchants and craftsmen; move across to the city he now renamed Daulatabad or City of Wealth. With the Tughlaqs hoping to secure a permanent hold of the Deccan based at Daulatabad, construction commenced immediately. Daulatabad was extended, with the addition of Kataka, another fortified area on the northeastern side adjoining the earlier citadel, as well as Ambarkot, a larger fortified area, spreading along its eastern side. The construction included ramparts, edged with battlements, as well as solid entrance gateways. However, the Tughlaq move was short-lived. Much of the population returned to Delhi soon afterwards. The Deccan broke the north's domination under the leadership of Zafar Khan in 1346.
Taking on the name Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah, the new sultan built Chand Minar, a victory tower, to commemorate his control of the fort. On the base built earlier by the Tughlaqs, was added the 30-mt high structure. Its lean, tapering profile is divided into four sections by three projecting balconies, resting on finely carved brackets. (A century later, in 1445, a small structure with a mosque was added at its base). Commanding a sweeping view of the countryside, it remains Daulatabad's most identifiable and striking structure. Alauddin Shah went on to found the Bahmani capital at Gulbarga, 320 km southwest, but retained Daulatabad as the provincial headquarters, for its location and fortifications made it an indispensable stronghold.
Scholars insist that the introduction of artillery was the most revolutionary element in the medieval century warfare, which, in turn, influenced fort architecture, as the range and trajectory of fire had to be taken into account. Solid mortar-bound stone fortifications, concentric and tall rampart walls, moats, watch-towers, a scheme of entrance gateways each placed at angles flanking watch-towers, and a sheer scarp which secluded the innermost citadel from enemy reach were added at the Daulatabad fort.
With the break-up of the Bahmani kingdom by the early 16th century, Daulatabad passed into the hands of the Nizam Shahi rulers of Ahmednagar, who strengthened its defences further, built gun turrets, an inner fort and palaces within it as well as completed the water supply system. The rulers of the other Deccan Sultanates, the Mughals and Marathas constantly coveted Daulatabad. After the Nizam Shahi Sultans lost Ahmednagar to the Mughals in 1601, Daulatabad functioned as their headquarters and they built structures within the fortified area.
The citadel functioned as the Mughal base in the Deccan till 1653, after which Aurangabad served as their headquarters. After the Mughal power dwindled in the mid-18th century the fort briefly passed into the hands of the Marathas to whom history has shown that forts were paramount for establishing and strengthening their hold in the Deccan. The fort offered them a stronghold, and they maintained its defences and added a small Shiva temple within. Daulatabad finally came under the dominions of the Nizams of Hyderabad, who added residential structures and retained its possession till the Hyderabad State merged into the Indian Union.
Please enter only tour related queries in the form below.
| 
