Nizamabad Fort

Nizamabad Fort, or Nizamabad Quilla, stands on the south-west side of Nizamabad, about 2 km from Gandhi Chowk. It is said to have been built by the Rashtrakutas in the 10th century, and it was later taken over and renovated by the Kakatiyas. Alauddin Khalji seized it in 1311; the Bahmanis, Qutb Shahis and Asaf Jahi Nizams followed, the last rebuilding parts of it.

Masonry walls with large corner bastions enclose a wide compound holding a mosque built by the Nizam and a borstal school. On the climb up stands a jail used under the Asaf Jahis, with views over the city. At the summit is the Jagannath or Raghunath Temple, also called Qilla Ramalayam, with halls covering 3,900 sq ft and a 53-foot pillar that was once lit every day; villagers are said to have lit their own lamps on seeing it. A small lake lies on the fort's left, and a secret tunnel is believed to run near it.