Karnataka has a long history that chiefly constitutes of the Sultans and their endeavor towards strengthening their roots in Karnataka. Karnataka forts and palaces, indeed, are witnesses to those endeavor and strife. No tourist survey is complete without mentioning about Karnataka's historical forts. The whole range of ancient capitals of Bidar, Gulbarga, Bijapur, Vijayanagara, Badami, Basava Kalyan, Srirangapattan, Keladi, Chitradurga, Mysore, etc. had their forts.
The forts and monuments of Karnataka can be traced back to pre-historic times where many dynasties and empires ruled over this region reflected time and again through the ruins of these monuments. Some of the famous forts and monuments of Karnataka are Badami Caves, Bidar Fort, Bull Temple, Gol Gumbaz, Hampi, Halebid, Mysore Palace, Pattadakal, Shravanabelagola, Nandi Hill, Chitradurga Fort, Kittur Fort and Parasgad Fort.