Savanur
albeit a small town has a rich history ruled by Nawabs and later bone of
contention between the Maratha's and Tippu Sultan, The town ended up in the
British suzerainty. All that remains today is this Fort wall and the Nawabs
residency, which houses the government offices.
The town had three main entrances, which are the only remains of the fort. These entrances are located at Gadak Horalikoppa road, near Bunkapura cross and near Ganpathi temple, which are still intact and the only remains of the fortified town. The walls are decorated with art and Islamic inscriptions.
There
is a beautiful step well located hidden somewhere in the agricultural fields
near Savanur town known as Vishnu Teertha. It is a hidden gem which cannot be
found on the tourist map, hidden from the crowds but it is a haven for history
and architecture enthusiasts. The construction style is simple and similar to
the stepped tank at Lakshmeshvara.
Stepwells
also called stepped ponds built between the 5th and 19th centuries are common
in North Karnataka. It suggests it was built in 15th century there is no
inscription in VishnuThirtha to ascertain its age. Such step wells were once integral to the semi
arid regions of as they provided water for drinking, washing and bathing. These
tanks are constructed in different forms, plans and structures and designs with
steps leading to the water level. In the modern wells, a brick parapet wall
surrounds the well shaft. Water is drawn by a pulley system. These step wells
not only fulfilled the need for water but also acted as cool retreats.
Stepwells
are also found in more arid regions of the subcontinent to collect rain water
during seasonal monsoons. While many such structures are utilitarian in
construction, they sometimes include significant architectural embellishments
as in the Vishnutirtha stepwell.
