Historic Domakonda Fort in legal tangles
Domakonda (Kamareddy): The glory of Domakonda Fort that lost in the mists of time up till actor Ram Charan Teja wedded Upasana, granddaughter of Kamineni Umapathy Rao, one of the heirs apparent of the fort, in 2012, is back in news again, albeit for wrong reasons.
The fort, which was believed to have constructed by Rashtrakutas during the 10th century, has a long history before its possession changed from Kakatiyas to Kaminenis in 17th century.
Situated 111 kms north of Hyderabad and close to National Highway-44, the fort, which is also known as qila and gadi locally, has a few elegant structures of yesteryears including Uma Manzil, Venkat Bhawan, Addala Meda (glass house) and Patha Kachari, within a well-fortified rampart.
The 18-pillar Shivalayam located on the fort premises is an architectural elegance of Kakatiya times. The temple is now in the possession of Archaeology Department. The fort’s structural elegance, apparently, reflects the influence of various dynasties – from Rashtrakutas to Nizam rule.
An imposing wooden door with metal spikes to an elevated compound rampart constructed with heavy granite rocks indicates the fortification of the citadel. Inside, there is a two-storied beautiful bungalow, adding more to its sheen was the 1920-built Glass House (Addala Meda) and a step well.
It may be noted here that since the members of the royal family relocated themselves to Hyderabad in the early 20th century, the sheen of the fort started to wane. Against this backdrop, ahead of his daughter Upasana’s engagement with Ram Charan Teja, Anil Kamineni took up the renovation of the fort.
At a time when the historic fort, which fell inhospitable for so long, is about to regain its past glory, a property dispute among the heirs has come in the way of tourists.
It may be noted here that there is a property dispute between Anil’s father Umapathy Rao, retired IAS officer, K Rajeshwara Rao and K Satyanarayana Rao, the heir apparent of the fort.
Even though all the heirs apparent have reportedly parted ways with regard to the property division, a fresh row of dispute came to fore recently with Rajeshwara Rao and Satyanarayana Rao moving to court.
“At this juncture I cannot comment as the matter is sub-judice,” Rohit, son of Satyanarayana Rao, said when The Hans India contacted him.
Former ZPTC Teegala Tirumal Goud and former MPTC Nallapu Srinivas of Domakonda said that it was unfortunate to see the historic fort in legal tangles.