Old photographs of Kakatiya monuments

These photographs show the Kakatiya monuments as they stood more than a century ago. Many of them come from the reports of the Hyderabad Archaeological Department. They record damage, collapse and repair that later work has changed or hidden. Every photograph is in the public domain.

Warangal Fort

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A wide view over open fields and scattered trees from a rocky hill. Several stone gateways and pillars stand alone among the fields. Low hills line the horizon. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
This view from a hill in Warangal Fort shows open fields with scattered trees. Stone gateways and pillars stand alone among the fields. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

Two large carved stone bulls lie side by side among broken carved stones. A rough stone wall stands behind them. The top of a carved stone gateway rises above the wall. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
Two large carved stone Nandi bulls lie among broken carved stones at Warangal. A carved stone gateway rises behind the wall. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

Four carved stone pillars hold up a broken stone beam among large trees. Fallen carved blocks lie on the ground. A man sits among the fallen stones. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
Carved stone pillars and a broken beam stand among trees at Warangal. Fallen carved blocks lie at their feet. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

A tall stone gateway of four carved pillars and a carved crossbeam stands in open ground. Stone swans sit on the ends of the crossbeam. A long building with arches shows through the gateway, and a man stands at the right pillar. — Photographed ca. 1850-1876
This photograph shows one of the carved stone gateways of Warangal Fort in open ground. A long arched building is visible through the gateway. The Boston Public Library dates the photograph to about 1850 to 1876.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

Close view of the top of a carved stone gateway. A stone swan sits on the end of the crossbeam, and a carved bracket with a rearing animal supports it. Hanging stone buds line the underside of the beam. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
This close view shows the carved top of a Warangal Fort gateway. A stone swan sits on the end of the beam, and a rearing animal is carved on the bracket below. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

A low stone temple with a broken roof stands on a moulded platform in open ground. Small trees grow on the roof. A small shrine stands to the right. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
The Boston Public Library catalogue names this building a ruined temple at Warangal Fort. Small trees grow on its broken roof. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

A flat-roofed stone pavilion on many pillars stands on a slight rise in open grassland. Several people sit and stand around it. Hills show on the horizon. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
This flat-roofed stone pavilion stands in open grassland inside Warangal Fort. Several people sit on the ground nearby. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

Sepia photograph of overgrown ruins: a pillared structure at left, a stone gateway at right and an arcaded building in the distance, with two people standing in the scrub — Photographed 1875
The gateway and temple ruins at Warangal photographed in the 1870s: a keerthi thorana stands at right amid scrub, with a ruined pillared structure at left and an arcaded building in the distance.
Photo: unknown photographer, published 1875 (Lee-Warner Collection, British Library), via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

A tall stone gateway of four carved pillars and a carved crossbeam stands alone in open fields. Stone swans sit on the ends of the crossbeam. Two men stand at the foot of the left pillars. — Photographed before 1898
This photograph shows one of the four carved stone gateways at Warangal Fort before 1898. The gateway stands alone in open fields with no wall or fence around it. Campbell's book calls it the Gate of Victory.
Photo: unknown photographer, Glimpses of the Nizam's Dominions (A. Claude Campbell), 1898 · Public domain

A ruined stone gateway with a tall pointed arch and a second arch behind it. Plants grow on top of the walls. Several people stand in the passage. — Photographed before 1898
Campbell's book names this ruined gateway the Hyderabad Gate. The same book places this gate on the west side of the outer earth wall of Warangal Fort. Plants grow on the walls in this photograph from before 1898.
Photo: unknown photographer, Glimpses of the Nizam's Dominions (A. Claude Campbell), 1898 · Public domain

A narrow passage between high stone walls leads to a stone doorway with a flat lintel. Pointed parapets stand on top of the wall. A man sits on a stone near the doorway. — Photographed before 1898
Campbell's book calls this the inner western gate of Warangal Fort. A flat stone doorway stands between high stone walls with pointed parapets. The photograph was published in 1898.
Photo: unknown photographer, Glimpses of the Nizam's Dominions (A. Claude Campbell), 1898 · Public domain

A small temple with a pale wall and a tall stepped tower on its roof. Two large carved stone bulls lie in the foreground. A tall stone pillar stands at the right. — Photographed before 1898
Campbell's book calls this building the half-buried temple of Warangal. The book says that three carved stone bulls lie opposite this temple of Mahadeva. The photograph was published in 1898.
Photo: unknown photographer, Glimpses of the Nizam's Dominions (A. Claude Campbell), 1898 · Public domain

Broken carved pillars stand among large trees at the left. A carved stone gateway stands in open grassland at the right. A long building with arched openings stands behind the gateway. — Photographed before 1928
The report for 1925-26 names this view the ruins of the old temple in Warangal Fort. Broken pillars stand under trees, and a carved stone gateway stands nearby. The report was published in 1928.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, Annual Report of the Archaeological Department of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions for 1925-26, 1928 · Public domain

A large bare granite rock rises beside a pool of water. Small buildings stand on its top. Grass covers the slope in front. — Photographed before 1928
The report for 1925-26 calls this rock Orukkal, the One Rock, of Warangal Fort. Small buildings stand on its top, and water lies at its foot. The report was published in 1928.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, Annual Report of the Archaeological Department of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions for 1925-26, 1928 · Public domain

A long, low earth bank runs across the middle distance. Scrub and grass cover the open ground in front of it. — Photographed before 1928
The report for 1925-26 identifies this long earth bank as the old mud wall of Warangal Fort. The report dates the wall to the Hindu period. The report was published in 1928.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, Annual Report of the Archaeological Department of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions for 1925-26, 1928 · Public domain

A gateway with two pointed arches in a high wall of rough stone. Two pointed stone parapets stand on top of the wall. People and a cart pass through the inner arch. — Photographed before 1928
The report for 1925-26 shows this gateway of Warangal Fort and dates it to the Muslim period. Two pointed parapets stand above the arches. The report was published in 1928.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, Annual Report of the Archaeological Department of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions for 1925-26, 1928 · Public domain

Thousand Pillar Temple

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A dark shrine doorway framed by carved jambs and pierced stone screens. Heavy carved pillars and a carved lintel surround the doorway. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
This photograph shows a shrine doorway in the Thousand Pillar Temple at Hanamkonda. Pierced stone screens stand on each side of the doorway. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

Close view of a carved door jamb, a pierced stone screen with a lattice of cross shapes, and a carved pillar. The number 1034 is written on the print. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
This close view shows a doorway of the Thousand Pillar Temple at Hanamkonda. A pierced stone screen stands between a carved jamb and a carved pillar. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

A stone pavilion with a heavy flat roof stands on carved pillars on uneven ground. A long pillared building stands behind it at the left. Rubble and loose stones lie in front. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
The Boston Public Library catalogue names this the Nandi pavilion of the Thousand Pillar Temple. Rubble and loose stones lie on the ground in front of it. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

A carved stone bull lies under a flat stone roof held up by round carved pillars. The porch stands on a stepped stone platform. A man stands beside the bull. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
A stone Nandi bull lies under a pillared porch at the Thousand Pillar Temple. The porch stands on a stepped stone platform with some loose stones. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

A long, low stone temple with many pillars under deep eaves. A large tree grows from the roof. Bare, rough ground lies in front. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
This view of the Thousand Pillar Temple shows a large tree growing from its roof. Bare, rough ground lies in front of the temple. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

The square stone shrines of the Thousand Pillar Temple stand in front of a rocky hill. A long pillared hall extends to the left. Mounds of earth and scrub lie in front. — Photographed ca. 1850-1886
This photograph shows the shrines of the Thousand Pillar Temple below the Hanamkonda hill. A long pillared hall extends to the left. The photograph dates from about 1850 to 1886.
Photo: unknown photographer, James Fergusson collection, Boston Public Library, via Digital Commonwealth · Public domain

The entrance porch of the Thousand Pillar Temple, with a flat stone roof on carved pillars. A stone elephant stands at the left of the steps. Several men stand and sit on the steps, and loose slabs lie on the ground. — Photographed before 1898
This photograph shows the entrance porch of the Thousand Pillar Temple at Hanamkonda before 1898. A stone elephant stands beside the steps. Loose stone slabs lie on the ground in front.
Photo: unknown photographer, Glimpses of the Nizam's Dominions (A. Claude Campbell), 1898 · Public domain

A large hall with many carved stone pillars under a flat roof. The roof line sags, and some roof stones are missing. Displaced stones and slabs lie in front of the hall. — Photographed before 1898
Campbell's book calls this building the detached hall of the Thousand Pillar Temple. The hall stands on its carved pillars, but its roof line sags. Loose stones lie in front of the hall in this photograph from before 1898.
Photo: unknown photographer, Glimpses of the Nizam's Dominions (A. Claude Campbell), 1898 · Public domain

A carved stone bull with a decorated harness lies tilted among fallen pillar parts and broken slabs. — Photographed before 1898
Campbell's book calls this scene the fallen pavilion of the Thousand Pillar Temple. A carved stone Nandi bull lies tilted among fallen pillar parts. The photograph was published in 1898.
Photo: unknown photographer, Glimpses of the Nizam's Dominions (A. Claude Campbell), 1898 · Public domain

The square stone shrines of the Thousand Pillar Temple rise behind a low earth bank. A flat-roofed porch stands at the left. Two horses graze on the open ground in front. — Photographed before 1898
This photograph shows the shrines of the Thousand Pillar Temple at Hanamkonda before 1898. Earth and rubble are heaped against the base of the temple. Horses graze on the open ground in front.
Photo: unknown photographer, Glimpses of the Nizam's Dominions (A. Claude Campbell), 1898 · Public domain

The long, low stone temple with its shrines and a central porch, seen across an open, grassy yard. Deep horizontal mouldings run along the walls. — Photographed 1915-16
The Hyderabad Archaeological Department photographed the Thousand Pillar Temple in 1915-16. The department's report for 1921-24 states that its repairs to this temple were complete. The photograph was published in 1917.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, Annual Report of the Archaeological Department of H.H. the Nizam's Dominions for 1915-16, 1917 · Public domain

A tall carved stone pillar with a wide round capital and a square base inside the temple. Writing in two scripts is scratched on the base of the pillar. — Photographed 1915-16
The Hyderabad Archaeological Department photographed this pillar of the Thousand Pillar Temple in 1915-16. Someone has scratched writing in two scripts on the pillar base. The photograph was published in 1917.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, Annual Report of the Archaeological Department of H.H. the Nizam's Dominions for 1915-16, 1917 · Public domain

Ramappa Temple

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Black-and-white photograph of the Ramappa Temple from the north-west. Grass and small trees cover the roof of the open hall and the tower over the shrine. The temple stands on a broad stepped platform. — Photographed 1915-16
The Hyderabad Archaeological Department photographed the Ramappa Temple from the north-west in 1915-16. Grass and small trees grow on the roof and on the tower over the shrine. The department's report for 1930-31 states that its repairs to the Ramappa Temple were complete.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, The Temples at Palampet (Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India 6), 1922 · Public domain

Black-and-white photograph of the Ramappa Temple from the south-east across open ground. Carved brackets stand under the deep eaves of the hall. Plants grow along the roof, and a tree grows beside the tower. — Photographed 1915-16
The Hyderabad Archaeological Department photographed the Ramappa Temple from the south-east in 1915-16. Plants grow along the roof of the hall, and a tree grows beside the tower. The photograph was published in 1917 and again in 1922.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, The Temples at Palampet (Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India 6), 1922 · Public domain

Close view of the stone tower above the Ramappa shrine. Grass and shrubs grow out of the tower, and its upper part is uneven. A small carved niche sits in the shrine wall below. — Photographed before 1917
This photograph shows the tower over the shrine of the Ramappa Temple. Grass, shrubs and a tree grow out of the joints of the tower. The photograph was published in 1917 and again in 1922.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, The Temples at Palampet (Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India 6), 1922 · Public domain

A slender stone sculpture of a woman in a dancing pose stands on a sloping bracket under the eave. A sculpture of a rearing beast stands on the next bracket at the left. — Photographed before 1922
A carved stone woman stands on a bracket between a pillar top and the eave of the Ramappa Temple. A rearing beast is carved on the next bracket. The photograph was published in 1922.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, The Temples at Palampet (Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India 6), 1922 · Public domain

A low stepped stone platform with loose blocks and broken carved pillar parts on top. A large leafy tree stands beside the platform. — Photographed before 1922
The Nandi pavilion of the Ramappa Temple was in ruins when this photograph was published in 1922. Loose blocks and broken pillar parts lie on its stepped platform. A large tree grows beside it.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, The Temples at Palampet (Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India 6), 1922 · Public domain

The low walls of a ruined stone temple, with fallen blocks heaped in front of them. Two stone elephant sculptures stand among the fallen blocks. Trees grow behind the temple. — Photographed before 1922
A smaller temple north of the main Ramappa Temple was in ruins when this photograph was published in 1922. Fallen stone blocks lie in front of its walls. Two stone elephants stand among the blocks.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, The Temples at Palampet (Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India 6), 1922 · Public domain

Uparpalle Temples

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Interior of a stone temple. A carved ceiling and heavy beams frame a dark shrine doorway. Pierced stone screens stand on each side of the doorway. — Photographed before 1917
This photograph shows the inside of the great temple at Uparpalle. Carved beams and a ceiling with lotus panels frame a shrine doorway with pierced stone screens. The photograph was published in 1917 and again in 1922.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, The Temples at Palampet (Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India 6), 1922 · Public domain

Ramappa Lake

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Interior of a stone temple. Heavy carved pillars frame a dark doorway with pierced stone screens on each side. A carved stone bull sits on the floor and faces the doorway. — Photographed before 1917
This photograph shows the inside of a temple at the eastern end of the Ramappa Lake embankment. A stone Nandi bull faces the shrine doorway between carved pillars. The photograph was published in 1917 and again in 1922.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, The Temples at Palampet (Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India 6), 1922 · Public domain

Khasi Mahal

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The tall, flat-topped stone front of the Khush Mahal with a deep pointed arch at its centre. A sloping mass of rough masonry leans against its right side. — Photographed before 1928
The report for 1925-26 calls this building Shitab Khan's Hall in Warangal Fort. A sloping mass of rough masonry stands against its right side. The report was published in 1928.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, Annual Report of the Archaeological Department of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions for 1925-26, 1928 · Public domain

The long stone hall of the Khush Mahal seen from the north-west. Tall pointed arches line its side wall. A block of rough rubble masonry is built against one end. — Photographed before 1928
The report for 1925-26 shows Shitab Khan's Hall from the north-west. Rough rubble masonry is built against one end of the hall. The report was published in 1928.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, Annual Report of the Archaeological Department of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions for 1925-26, 1928 · Public domain

The interior of a long stone hall spanned by a row of pointed stone arches. A sunken channel runs along the middle of the floor. A doorway at the far end lets in light. — Photographed before 1932
This view inside Shitab Khan's Hall was published in 1932. A row of pointed stone arches spans the hall. A sunken channel runs along the middle of the floor.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, Shitab Khan of Warangal (Hyderabad Archaeological Series 9), 1932 · Public domain

Bhongir Fort

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A large rounded rock hill rises behind open ground. A small building with a pitched roof stands beside a road. A tree fills the left foreground. — Photographed before 1928
The report for 1925-26 shows this general view of Bhongir Fort on its rock. A small building stands beside a road at the foot of the hill. The report was published in 1928.
Photo: Hyderabad Archaeological Department, Annual Report of the Archaeological Department of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions for 1925-26, 1928 · Public domain