Chandragiri Fort

Chandragiri Fort near Tirupati is a historic 11th-century fort that served as the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire for a period after the fall of Hampi. Built on a rocky hillock, the fort complex includes the Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal — two beautifully preserved palace structures showcasing Indo-Saracenic architecture. It was within this fort that the East India Company received its first land grant from the Vijayanagara king in 1639, enabling the establishment of what would become Madras (Chennai). The fort complex is managed by the ASI and includes a sound-and-light show in the evenings.