The topography of our state is an interesting combination of the plains, forested mountains and granite hills. The granite hills, said to be older than the Himalayas, are both numerous and well spread. And most of them were chosen for their sheer altitude and inaccessibility by the erstwhile kings and rulers to build formidable forts to live in peace from invasions.
The kings have come and gone. But the forts and fortresses remain, albeit ruining and crumbling. The Jamalabad hill fort in Dakshina Kannada district is one of them.
Situated close to the sleepy town of Belthangady, the Jamalabad hill, though part of the Kudremukh mountain range, stands alone like an inselberg. The steep drops on all its sides with an even plateau at the top not only give it an incredible appearance but also made it a suitable place to build a fort.
In ancient times, the hill was called Narasimhangudi, probably named after a governor, Narasimha, following the Kadambas. A fort was in existence here in the bygone days though it is not known who built it. Abandoned for a long time it was in a shambles.
When Tipu built a new fort...
It was not until 1794 that Tipu Sultan came here and built a fort on whatever remained of the earlier one. And the name was changed to Jamalabad as he dedicated it to his mother, Jamalbee. Tipu kept the fortress in his possession for the next five years till the British annexed it in 1799. Though a chieftain by name Thimmanayaka held the fort for a brief span, its possession was subsequently regained by the British.
Presently the key features of the fortress have bitten the dust except for a lone cannon, a magazine house at the top and a couple of bastions that still stand there defying time and elements.
Getting off a moffusil bus at the village of Nada, seven kms north of Belthangady, I began my approach to this hill from the north. Crossing a thin stream on the way while admiring its awesome look I passed through the stone entrance arches to reach the base of the hill. Its location within the limits of the Kudremukh national park makes it mandatory to follow the entry rules as in any national park.
The initial path goes up a smooth gradient with wide stone steps. The initiative of the forest department to create an awareness of wild life with placards that talk of wildlife along the way is appreciable. The paragola serves as a place for rest and interaction.
Once you get to the rocky slopes the path steepens with uneven steps, close to 2000, making it hard to climb. The route is exposed until a shady ledge is reached higher up. It is a place to rest and take in the views of the surroundings. The last stretch which is the crucial aspect of the climb is so steep that the path is protected with a wall right upto the top.
A rusting cannon, circular bastions
On the way is an old rusting cannon lying on the ground. A couple of circular bastions built with large stones are all that remain of the fort. The top of this 1788-ft high hill is a plateau with a profuse growth of the tall elephant grass. There used to be two ponds here but only one of them holds water though not potable.
The southern summit has an old structure believed to be the place to store arms. The Tipu drop here, from where the guilty were pushed down the precipice, reminded me of the one back in Nandi Hills.
The summit affords superb views of the vast plains immediately below and the distant chain of hills. The Kudremukh peak and its ranges in the north are a real treat to watch. As camping at the top is not allowed these days I reluctantly retraced my steps back before dusk.