Kundapur: Relics of Ancient Fort Found at Ampar
 
Pics: Aishwarya Beejady
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (PS/SP)
 
Kundapur, Feb 9: The finding of remnants of an ancient fort in the vicinity of Halakki in Ampar village near here recently has generated lot of curiosity. The relics of an ancient fort, which were found near a house belonging to Kamalaksha Kini from Ampar, have been covered by shrubs, bushes and weeds. One has to walk two kilometers in a narrow pathway amidst the forest region, to reach the above spot.
 
There are four watch towers around the fort, through which one can closely monitor movement in the sea route leading to the nearby shore. There are two underground passages and a canal with a flight of stairs inside the fort. Experts opine that though these relics are on the verge of extinction, they are worth conducting a research. It is believed to be the fort of Nanduraya.

About Nanduraya:
 
Nanduraya belonged to a lower caste. He was the ruler of Tulunadu, but his administration was immortalized by the desultory adage relating to the introduction of coins made of leather during the fag end of his regime. Nanduraya’s inheritance was eaten away by foxes and dogs, legends claim. Some proverb also depicts about squandering of money and rampant mismanagement during Nanduraya’s rule.
 
A Jain king had invaded Ampar village. At that time, cattle and calf ran helter-skelter, and the mooing sound created by them heard like ‘Amba’. Therefore, it is said that he called he place as ‘Ambapura’. Later this word got to be deformed as ‘Ampar’, the local people opine.
 
The fort is spread over three to four acres of land. There is also a relic of a deep well, and a bathing pond.

Fort becoming non-existent:
 
This fort, which depicts the richness of the ancient days, has now turned into an isolated area. The thick stretch of forest has engulfed the fort. The area where this fort is found, is about 120-140 feet height from Ampar town. It would be an adventurous journey to climb the peak of this fort. The circumference of this fort is seven kilometres. There are 15 to 20 feet deep canals around the fort. There is a shrine of the deity, ‘Bhootharaya’ at the centre of the fort. A replica of throne also could be found atop in the fort. There are two ponds, which are known as Hadakanakatte.

Former taluk panchayat member, Kiran Hegde, claims that water flows through the tunnels from the above ponds, into the agricultural fields. Locals feel that if measures are taken to protect these relics and research is conducted about them, there is every possibility of the story of a grand bygone era relating to their village unfolding in front of their eyes.