Bellary is a historic city in Bellary District in Karnataka state, India.

Bellary Fort

The Bellary Fort is built on top of the Ballari Gudda or the Fort Hill. The Fort was built round the hill during Vijayanagara times by Hanumappa Nayaka. Hyder Ali, who took possession of the Fort from the Nayaka family in 1769, got the fort renovated and modified with the help of a French Engineer. The lower fort was added by Hyder Ali around the eastern half of the hill. Legend has it that the unfortunate French Engineer was hanged, for overlooking the fact that the neighbouring Kumbara Gudda is taller than Ballari Gudda, thus compromising the secrecy & command of the fort. His grave is believed to be located near the East Gate of the fort, though some locals believe it to be the grave of a Muslim holy man.

The fort was classified as 1st class by the British Administration. This fort gave Bellary its ancient importance, and led to its selection by the British rulers as the site of a cantonment.

The fort is divided as the Upper Fort and the Lower Fort.

The Upper fort: The Upper fort is a polygonal walled building on the summit, with only one approach, and has no accommodation for a garrison. The upper fort consists of a citadel on the summit of the rock at 1,976 feet (602 m), guarded by three outer lines of fortification, one below the other. It contains several cisterns, excavated in the rock. Outside the turreted rampart are a ditch and covered way. The main turret on the east currently features a huge mural of the Indian Flag facing east (wikimapia). There is only one way up to the fort, which is a winding rocky path amongst the boulders. On the top, outside the citadel is a small temple, the remains of some cells and several deep pools of water. Within the citadel are several strongly constructed buildings, and an ample water supply from reservoirs constructed in the clefts of the rocks. Muzzaffar Khan, the Nawab of Kurnool, was confined here from 1823 to 1864 for the murder of his wife.

The Lower fort: The Lower fort lies at the eastern base of the rock and measures about half a mile in diameter, and probably had an arsenal and barracks. It consists of a surrounding rampart numerous bastions, faced by a deep ditch and glacis. The entrance to the lower fort is via two gates, one each on the western and eastern sides. Just outside the eastern gates of the lower fort is a temple dedicated to Hanuman - the Kote Anjaneya Temple. Later additions to the lower fort by the British include the Commissariat stores, the Protestant church, orphanage, Masonic lodge, post-office and numerous private dwellings. Now the lower fort contains a number of public buildings, government offices, schools & educational institutions and churches

Parks, gardens and green spaces

A naturally arid area with semi-desert flora, the city has slowly accumulated greenery over the past few decades due to the collective efforts of the city residents, the regional Forest Department and the Municipal Council/Corporation. The following is a short list of major green spaces in the city:

Ballari and Kumbara hills: The two main rock hills form the major natural lung spaces in the city, accommodating a host of flora including various species of the thorny Acacia (latronum, nilotica , pennata, etc) locally classified as 'jaali', and the interesting Whirlnut of the genus Gyrocarpaceae (see illustration) that is not found elsewhere in the city.

Kuntegadda Park, officially called the Golden Jubilee Park or Dr.Rajkumar Park.

This former slum area has morphed into a beautiful urban park due to the efforts of a succession of District Commissioners starting with Ms.Gouri Trivedi and Ms.Manjula. The park features an artificial lake formed out of a disused granite quarry hole, a fountain with a daily musical show, a children's play area and a variety of garden flora.

Bellary Zoo: Established in 1981, this Zoo and children's park covers nearly 2.4 hectares, and hosts a variety of fauna including Blackbuck, Spotted deer (Chital), Jackal, Crocodile, Indian Peafowl, Cobra, Python, Bear, Panther, Boar, etc. This zoo is due to be relocated to a new facility.

Kaategudda Park: This hill hosts a variety of trees and is famous for its resident flock of crows.

Nagarooru Narayanarao Park in Vaddarabanda: This has now fallen into disuse.

Basavanakunta Park: This disused granite quarry hole is being filled up to form an urban park.

Parvathinagar Park: Run with funds donated by the Jindal Vijayanagar Steels corporation.