H@R 91/365 Traditional Settlement Gandikota Village, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh

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H@R 91/365

Traditional Settlement Gandikota Village, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh

Gandikota is a small village on the banks of river Pennar, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa District. The 150 years old village settlement is in the setting of the Gandikota Fort (400-600 years old). Founded in 1123 by Kapa Raja of nearby Bommanapalle village and a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana. The town played a significant role during the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara and Qutub Shahi periods. Surrounded by a deep valley, impassable hills and the river Pennar flowing 300 ft. below, its location affords strong natural defense to the occupants of the Fort. Though the Fort is in the purview of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in the village many historic houses are abandoned and under deterioration. Needs a comprehensive approach to preserve the traditional settlement and architectural patterns of a Rayalaseema village.