Bengaluru’s ancient fort in ruins

The Old Dungeon fort in Bengaluru remains an abandoned structure with graffiti on its walls and filth littered in the prison cells inside.

Bengaluru’s main fort is a victim of negligence and littering. Visitors have scratched their names into the age-old walls and littered the animal cages and cells in the fort.

The Ganesha Temple of the fort when it was being renovated

“As it is, there isn’t much left of the fort. The upper levels of the monument are banned to visitors due to possible suicides and late-night illegal activities,” the security head of the fort said.

The fort, originally built by Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru is one among two of the only listed heritage sites in the city.

The fort was last in the news when the ancient Ganesha temple inside was being renovated after its roof collapsed.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared the Bangalore fort to be a centrally protected monument of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites and remains Act, 1958. But as it happens, there are no CCTV cameras or toilet facilities around the fort.

The jail cells have been locked permanently to avoid illegal activities and littering, and there is no ticketing for the monument.

Experts are of the opinion that the ASI needs more funds and manpower. The administrative problems in the ASI come with labor shortage and while new rules have been implemented for better administration, the ASI is also bound by the usual government limitations.

The walls of the fort are scratched and damaged

Now in a post-pandemic world, the fort attracts even fewer people, those of whom say there isn’t much to see.