FORTS OF INDIA(Daulatabad)
FORTS OF INDIA(Daulatabad)
DAULATABAD is one of the most natural and best preserved forts of India. It owes its beginnings, according to Stuart Paggot, its geological formation and derives its strength from the peculiar nature of mountain ranges and spires. It is at a distance of about 15 km from Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
Daulatabad is a given name ; originally it was' known as Devagiri, i.e. Hill of Gods. Earlier references say that Bhillana, a Yadav prince, carried out victorious expeditions against the Hoysalas and Chalukyas and carved out a large kingdom with his capital at Devagiri in 1187. His grandson Singhana raised it to the position of a premier kingdom, and under the succeeding Yadavas Devagiri prospered.
But the wealth and prosperity proved a bane. It attracted freebooters. Ala- ud-din Khaiji, when he was a representative of his uncle Sultan Jalaluddin at Kara, was motivated by political and economic ambitions. He launched an attack on Devagiri in 1294 when its main army under Prince Shankaradeva had gone down south and King Ramachandradeva was ill-prepared for a war. Besides, there were inadequate provisions inside the fort and the king could muster only a small force of two- three thousand men. The king took the best course. He shut himself inside the fort.
Then as if luck mocked at Devagiri, a caravan of merchants passing by the fert abandoned some bags which the king's men took for being full of grains. The cheer and morale came down the moment it was found the bags contained salt and not grains. Discretion prevailed and Ramachandradeva opened negotiations and agreed to pay Ala-ud- din a heavy ransom. But as Ala-ud-din was leaving, Shankaradeva returned and in spite of his father's advice opened battle. Though his enthusiasm brought initial