Madakasira Hill Fort is called as SIMHAGIRI Hill Fort because the hill from one side looks like a sleeping lion.The 2936 feet msl highly Fortified Hill is in Anantapur Dist of AndhraPradesh which was once, one of the stronghold of Vijayanagara Kingdom.Under Vijayanagara, the Madakasira was fortified strongly by the chiefs of Sira,especially under Hira Vdaiyar. But after the fall of Vijayanagara, it was taken by 'the Sultanate of Bijapur' but then left it back to him along with forts of Ratnagiri. In 1728 the Marathas captured Madakasira, and in 1741 the Ratnagiri Fort was taken by Morari Rao (Army General,Maratha) and imposed tribute of 8000/-. In 1762 Haidar Ali of Mysore took Madakasira, but his troops were ejected two years later by Morari Rao. Haidar seized it again in 1776 and demanded a tribute of 15000/-. On failing upon this, he send the chief and his five sons as prisoners to Seringapatam. In 1799 the country fell under British rule. The town is now a fairly important market center. The Fort entrance, two main large bastions, and parts of the forts still remains in the city apart from the Fortification in the Hill.They are under ASI. Parts of the film 'Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha' was shot in this fort.