Heritage

Chitradurga Fort In Karnataka: The 'Fort Of Seven Circles' And Its Forgotten Warrior Woman

A UNESCO-listed site and architectural marvel in Karnataka, Chitradurga Fort holds the incredible story of Onake Obavva—a woman who fought off enemy soldiers with a pestle

Ancient temples nestled among rocky hills and lush greenery at Chitradurga Fort, Karnataka Photo: Shutterstock
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Huge forts are not uncommon in India but are usually associated with great kings, mighty warriors, or sizeable defending garrisons. Imagine a fort where a solitary person thwarted an enemy attack—or at least delayed. A woman. A woman who was not one of India’s famed warrior queens but a housewife.

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