Miscellaneous Topics on Indian History

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<img src='http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/24/images/2006102412060501.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Mughals strained every nerve to take it

T.V. Sivanandan



BAD STATE: The main entrance of Wagengera fort in Surpur town of Gulbarga district

GULBARGA: The Wagengera fort, which witnessed a historic struggle between the Bedar kings and the Mughals, led by Aurangazeb to establish supremacy in Surpur town in Gulbarga district in the 18th century, is in ruins.

The Archaeological Survey of India and also the State Archaeology Department appear to have done precious little to protect the fort.

A plaque embedded on the wall to the entrance of the fort reads in Persian: "By command of the emperor, defender of faith Mohammed Mohi-u-din Aurangazeb king, conqueror of universe, may god preserve his country for ever," signifying the fall of the fort in 1705.

The Wagengera fort is situated on top of two hillocks and surrounded by rocky patches. The Bedar kings shifted here after losing their fort at Sagar, now in Shahpur taluk, to the Mughals in 1667. From the day they shifted to Wagengera fort, the Bedars were a thorn in the flesh of the Mughals.

The fort built in the shape of a pentagon with seven bastions is now in a shambles. The two huge gates on the east and west of the fort are in a state of collapse, but the outer wall constructed with big boulders and mortar is in good condition.

Many, particularly the younger generation, are not aware of the valiant struggle of the Bedar kings who zealously defended the fort. So fierce was their resistance that finally Aurangazeb himself had to lead the attack to capture the fort.

Although a well-trained army like the Mughals could have breached the fort easily, it was the warring skills of the Bedars that kept the enemy at bay for a long time.

The unfortunate thing is that so far the Government has not made any effort to convert this into a tourist spot. Besides Wagengera fort, Surpur can boast of many other historical monuments including the beautiful palace of the Surpur kings.