Maliyabad Stone Elephants

Maliyabad Stone Elephants are a pair of large monolithic stone elephant sculptures located in Maliyabad village, about 8 km from Raichur city in Karnataka. Situated near the ruins of the historic Maliyabad Fort, the sculptures are notable examples of Deccan Sultanate-era stonework, traditionally associated with the Bahmani period. The site is an open-air archaeological attraction set in a rural landscape, visited for its historic craftsmanship and connection to the region's fort heritage.

Visitors can expect to see two large stone elephant statues situated in an open, rural setting near the remains of Maliyabad Fort. The site consists of weathered stone sculptures and surrounding fort ruins, including stone walls and gateways, set on dry, rocky terrain with agricultural fields nearby. There is no enclosed complex; exploration is on foot over uneven ground. The visit is focused on viewing the sculptures, observing historic masonry, and photography in a quiet village environment.

The stone elephants are associated with Maliyabad Fort, a fortified settlement traditionally dated to the Bahmani Sultanate period in the 14th-15th century. The fort and its sculptural elements illustrate Deccan Sultanate military architecture and stone craftsmanship in the Raichur region, which was historically contested due to its location between major Deccan kingdoms.

The sculptures represent the historic stone-carving tradition of the Raichur area and form part of the local heritage landscape linked to Maliyabad Fort. They are visited as a cultural and archaeological landmark illustrating the region's medieval fort heritage.