My visit to Madhugiri Hill was not planned in detail—it was one of those spontaneous moments where history quietly revealed itself. As I started trekking up this massive hill, which is considered one of the largest single rocks (monolithic) hills in Asia, I paused near the northern gate.

What drew my attention wasn’t just the height and beauty of the granite hill, but some old buildings at its base—structures that seemed to belong to a forgotten past. These buildings, now worn down by time, were part of the old fort complex. One large stone building stood out. It looked like an old fort structure, built with stone and lime. Though parts of it had been used as government offices in the past, it now lay mostly abandoned.

The shape of the building, its arched entrances, plastered walls, and tiled roofs showed signs of colonial-era changes. These changes may have started during the time of the Mysore Kingdom and continued under British rule, and possibly even after India gained independence. From the way the building was designed—with long corridors, rooms, and faded signboards—it seemed to have once been used for administration, court work, or even police function.

These buildings lie within the larger area of the Madhugiri Fort, a stronghold built in the 17th century by Chikkappa Gowda, a local chieftain and vassal under the Vijayanagara Empire. The fort was later expanded and strengthened during the rule of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Even today, you can see the Indo-Saracenic style in some of the entrances built during Hyder’s time.

What made this spot special to me was not just the older fort structures, but the colonial-era buildings that are rarely mentioned in travel guides. These buildings show how the site evolved over time, from a military fort to an administrative centre. They are part of a longer, layered story that combines local and colonial history.

This short, unplanned stop during my trek became a meaningful moment. Through my camera, I captured a side of Madhugiri that many may overlook—a place where stones, not words, preserve the past. Madhugiri is not only a wonder of nature, but also a silent witness to centuries of changing power and purpose.

Shiva is an avid field explorer of history and the environment and is Project Field Researcher at FAIR.