Malkhed Fort

Malkhed Fort is a historic fort located in Malkhed village in Sedam Taluk of Kalaburagi district, Karnataka, on the banks of the Kagina River. It served as the capital of the Rashtrakuta Empire as Manyakheta between the 9th and 10th centuries. The fort features massive stone walls, bastions and ruined gateways reflecting its strategic importance. Today it stands as a heritage site with scattered ruins and temples within its precincts.

Visitors can expect a large ruined fort complex with weathered stone fortification walls, bastions and gateway remnants spread across an elevated area near the Kagina River. Inside the fort precinct are scattered ruins, old temples and open grounds with village settlement nearby. The site is largely open and unmaintained, offering a quiet heritage walk, views of the surrounding plains and river, and opportunities for photography and exploring historic structures at a leisurely pace.

Malkhed, historically known as Manyakheta, was the capital of the Rashtrakuta Empire from around 814 CE under Amoghavarsha I and remained so until the late 10th century. The fort served as the imperial center and was later held by the Kalyani Chalukyas, Bahmanis and subsequent Deccan rulers. Its fortifications reflect its long strategic importance on the Deccan plateau along the Kagina River.

Malkhed is noted for its Jain heritage and association with Jain scholars and temples, including historic Jain temples within the fort area. The site reflects the cultural synthesis of the Rashtrakuta period, known for patronage of literature, art and religion, and remains a place of local religious importance with temples visited by residents and heritage visitors.