Memoir - Part 2

School trip during my primary/secondary education meant a visit to Manzarabad fort by foot. I still remember when I was in class IV. We, 50 students and 3 teachers on a sunny day went to fort by foot. We were asked to bring our own lunch pack.   

The fort is about 6 Km away from our town towards Mangalore, on the National High Way 48. The fort was constructed by Tipu Sultan when he was the ruler of Mysore. The fort is located very strategically and was used for defense purposes. One can easily understand the locational advantage of the fort in his visit. A panoramic view of a large stretch of western ghats can be had from the top of the fort. Any movement of the enemy can be easily watched from the fort in any direction. The builders ability and their architectural knowledge throws a challenge to modern developers. The fort is constructed on a fairly big hill and a beautiful scenic view of the surroundings will certainly be cherished. The fort is reported to have been used as an armoury and guard place. There are two tunnels and a pond at the centre of the fort. The tunnels are said to have a underground route to Srirangapatna. But I have my own doubt about this claim.  The place is ideal for a day's picnic. One would certainly remember the visit due to its beauty.

  A view of sun set from Manzarabad fort

We went by route march and through out our journey we were singing some patriotic, devotional songs. By the time we reached our destination all of us were exhausted and most of us could not have our lunch due to tiredness. After spending time over there till evening we were asked to climb down. We were reluctant to return as we were not in a position to walk. Luckily, our teachers, at the foot of the fort would find a lorry and arranged for a drop. We reached home happily.

I have made several visits to fort. In one of my visits, I found a lot of people were seen at the fort. Normally the fort would be deserted. A baba was camping in the fort and had occupied a tunnel. People were visiting him in the tunnel and taking his blessings. There is no ventilation or light in the tunnel. I went half way and returned scared. The tunnel is closed at the half way. If it were to be closed at the opening baba wouldn't have place to give his    personal darshan.

Archaeological department is protecting the fort by installing a board at the base that it is a protected monument! Nothing else has been done. Inside the fort grass and weeds have spread all over. It is not been cut occasionally and maintained properly. The old fort wall is not strengthened and protected. My latest visit to the fort was in Dec 2010. It is really a beautiful monument to be preserved for our future generations for its grandeur, architectural supremacy, symmetrical construction, historic values, and what not. An already ruined fort may not sustain this kind of negligence for long.

 Manzarabad Fort, Sakleshpur

On the way to fort from Sakleshpur, there is a coffee estate called Bhimeswara estate. There is a small natural water fall. We used to invariably visit that spot and spend some time playing in water cooling our heals. Now, due to high influx of tourists, I am told that the estate owners have banned unauthorised entry. The road to Manzarabad fort stretches between coffee estates and wet lands with more than ten zig-zag curves. The entire journey is bountiful with nature's beauty.


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Nanjundaswamy. S