The Pavagada Hill Fort is renowned for its unique cylindrical granaries, locally referred to as “Thuppade Dhone/Thuppada kolada batthery” (ತುಪ್ಪದ ಕೊಳದ ಬತ್ತೇರಿ), meaning “ghee-storing granaries.” These granaries have sparked various historical debates regarding their original purpose. Some historians assert that these masonry structures were designed to store ghee for long periods. This old ghee, combined with other ingredients like animal fats from monitor lizards and peacocks, was used by traditional medical practitioners to treat injured soldiers, particularly for setting fractures.
Another theory suggests a defensive application, proposing that ghee was splashed onto the fort ramparts to create a greasy surface, hindering enemy soldiers’ attempts to scale the fort. Alternatively, some believe these granaries stored lamp oil rather than ghee, intended for illuminating the fort.
The placement of these granaries atop the hill raises questions about their practical uses. If meant for medicinal purposes, why not locate them within the settlement at the base of the hill, where soldiers’ families and traditional healers resided? Historically, hilltops were typically reserved for storing gunpowder and other defense-related materials.
Furthermore, the granaries’ strategic placement on one side of the fort raises doubts about their defensive function. If they were indeed used for defense, similar structures would likely have been distributed around the fort’s perimeter.
The ambiguity surrounding the purpose of the Thuppade Dhone ,Thuppada kolada batthery(ತುಪ್ಪದ ಕೊಳದ ಬತ್ತೇರಿ), granaries invites further investigation and discussion. Your opinions and insights on this matter are welcome as we strive to unravel the historical mysteries of the Pavagada Hill Fort.
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