Warangal

Khush Mahal

Warangal, city, northeastern Telangana state, southern India. It lies in an upland region, about 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Hyderabad.

Warangal was the ancient capital of the Kakatiyas, an Andhra dynasty that flourished in the 12th century ce. Warangal’s fort, lying southeast of the present-day city, was once surrounded by two walls; traces of the outer wall remain, as do the four stone gateways (sanchars) of the inner wall. The Khush Mahal, an audience hall dating to the 14th century, is near the fort, and a thousand-pillared temple, built in 1162, is located within the city itself.

Warangal is now a commercial and industrial centre, its main products being carpets, blankets, and silks. It is connected by rail with Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh state) in the south and Chandrapur (Maharashtra state) to the north, and there is another line, as well as a national highway, to Hyderabad. The city has colleges of medicine, engineering, and arts and sciences. Pop. (2001) 530,636; (2011) 615,998.