Kittur Fort

Kittur Fort is a historic fort located in Kittur town, Belagavi District, Karnataka, about 50 km southeast of Belagavi on National Highway 48. The fort is known for its association with Rani Chennamma of Kittur and the 1824 resistance against the East India Company. Today the fort complex houses ruined walls, bastions, temples and the Kittur Archaeological Museum which displays artefacts, sculptures and memorabilia related to the region's history.

Visitors can expect a compact fort complex with stone walls, ruined bastions and gateways set in the centre of Kittur town. Inside the fort are temples, open courtyards and the Archaeological Museum housed in the former palace area displaying sculptures, inscriptions, weapons, costumes and objects associated with Rani Chennamma. The site is maintained as a heritage and museum complex with landscaped surroundings, informative displays and areas for walking and photography.

Kittur Fort was the seat of the rulers of Kittur, a former princely state in northern Karnataka. It gained prominence in the early 19th century under Rani Chennamma (1778-1829), who led an armed resistance against the East India Company in 1824 following a succession dispute. The fort and palace complex reflects the region's military architecture and administrative history and is preserved for its association with this early resistance.

The fort is a cultural landmark for Karnataka and is commemorated as a symbol of regional heritage and bravery associated with Rani Chennamma. The annual Kittur Utsava and museum exhibits celebrate local history, traditional crafts, sculpture and the legacy of the Kittur dynasty. Temples within the complex reflect local religious traditions.