General Studies: Forts

The rich cultural and historical saga of Madhya Pradesh unravels in the form of its staggering forts. In fact, many forts tassel the terrain of the state and are like revelations for whoever beholds their beauty and probes their history. Frozen in time, these ancient forts are exquisite specimens of the past and still lure tourists with their eternal magnificence. These imposing forts, steeped with many stories, speak volumes about the rulers and dynasties that formed their imperial seat in the state. Like adept chroniclers of history, they narrate historical tales of love, beauty, valor, trickery and even bloody battles.

For example, the impregnable Asigarh Fort is not only famous for its stupendous architecture, &>ut also has mysterious stories to trade. The tenth-century temple of Shiva that it harbors has always been a subject of ceaseless conversations. On the other hand, the fort of Mandu resonates with the love and romance of Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati, while the Chanderi Fort, with its Khooni Darwaza, narrates brutal tales of murder and execution. This article will help you explore various forts in Madhya Pradesh and dig up ancient stories that they bury.

Asirgarh

Asirgarh is an Indian fortress situated in the Satpura Range, about 20 km. of the north

town of Burhanptir, in Burhanpur District of Madhya Prudish state. The fortress commands a pass through the Satpuras connecting the valleys of the Narmada and Tapti rivers, one of the most important routes from northern India to the Deccan in the southwest. It is known as the "kevtothe Deccan".,

According Thakur Deshraj, the religious hook of Scandinavia. 'Edda' mentions that the ancient inhabitants of Scandinavia were Jats or Jits who were Aryans known as Asi people and came to this land from Asirgarh in

Malwa.

The fortress is home to a tenth century temple of Shiva. From 1388 it was a stronghold of the Faruqi rulers of Kandesh. who surrendered to the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1601. It is believed that Ashwatthama, the son of Guru Dronacharya in Mahabharata, arrives in the Shiva temple here each morning to offer a red rose and seek blessings. People living around the fort have tried to observe the visit, particularly those who have lost their eyesight or speech.

History

The ancient inscriptions in the Pali Buddhist character have been discovered in various parts of Rajasthan of the race of Taxak orTak, relating to the tribe Mori and Par.mara are their descendants. Taxak. Mori was the lord of Chittor from very early period.

The Huna Kingdom of Sialkot (of Mihir Kuia 515-540 AD), destroyed by Yashodharman, was subsequently seized by a new dynasty of Kshatriyas called Tak or Taxaka. The Taxak Mori as being lords of Chittor from very early period and few generations after the Guhilots supplanted the Moris, this palladium of Hindu liberty was assailed by the arms of Islam. {725-35) we find amongst the numerous defenders who appear to have considered the cause of Chittor their own the Tak from Asirgarh. This race appears to have retained possession of Asirgarh for at least two centuries after this event as its chieftain was one of the most conspicuous leaders in the array of Prithvi, Raj. In the poems of Chandar he is called the "Standard, bearer, Tak of Asir." after in 536 A.D., the Mughal Emperor Humayun, alter his conquest of Gujarat had visited Burhanpur and Asirgarh, travelling via Baroda, Broach (Bharuch) and Surat. Raja Afi Khan (1576-1596 A.D.), also known as Adil Shah, was asked to submit to Akbar when the latter had sent an expedition to Khandesh, in the summer of 1577 A.D. The former, to avoid-an unequal contest with Akbar, dropped his royal title of "Shah" and pledged suzerainty to Akbar. This was a significant achievement of the Mughals, for or Khandesh was used as a base for the future conquest of the Deccan. Raja Ali Khan constructed many buildings: Jama Masjid in the upper portion of the fort of Asir in 1588 A.D., Jama Masjid at Burhanpur in 1590 A.D., Idgah at Asir, mausoleums and serai at Burhanpur, and serai and a mosque at Zainabad.

Bahadur Khan (1596-1600 A.D.), successor of Raja Ali Khan, declared his independence and refused to pay homage to Akbar and his son Prince Danival, which enraged Akbar, who marched towards Burhanpur in 1599 and occupied the city on 8th April 1600 A.D.) without opposition. Akbar visited Asirgarh to inspect it personally, staying for four days before returing to his headquarters at Burhanpur.

Gwalior

Gwalior Fort (Gwalior Qila) in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, stands on an isolated rock and contains a number of historic buildings. The face is perpendicular and where the rock is naturally less precipitous it has been scarped. Its greatest length from north-east to south- west is 1.5 mile (2.4 km), and the greatest breadth 900 yd (820 m).The rock attains its maximum height of 342 ft (104 m) al the northern end. A ranipart, accessible by a steep road, and farther up by huge steps cut out of the rock, surrounds the fort. The citadel stands at the north-.eastem corner of the enclosure, and presents a very picturesque appearance with interesting tiles with symbolic images.

There are several remarkable mandirs within the fort. One pair of temples, known as the Sas Bahu Ka Mandir, is beautifully adorned with bas-reliefs. This pair of temples was finished in 1093, and, though dilapidated, is still picturesque.There is an impressive clear white Sikh Gurdwara. Its maintained very clean and has a big premises.

An older Jain temple has been used as a mosaue. Another temple in the fortress of Gwalior is called the Teli-ka-Mandir, or "Oilman's Temple." This building was originally dedicated to Vishnu, but afterwards converted to the worship of Siva. It has an unusual configuration: shrine-lite in that it has a sanctuary only; no pillared pavilions or mandapa; and a Buddhist barrel-vaulted roof on top of a Hindu mandir. India Post issued a stamp of this fort on 3 August 1984.

Kalinjar Fort

Kalinjar Fort is a fortress-city in the Bundelkhand region of central India. Kalinjar is located near the World Heritage Site of Khajuraho. It served several of Bundelkhand's ruling dynasties, including the Chandela dynasty of Rajputs in the 10th century, and the Solankis of Rewa. The fortress contains several temples dating as far back as the Gupta dynasty of the 3rd-5th centuries.
Mughal invader Babur was the only commander in history to have captured the fort in 1526. It was also the place where Sher Shah Suri met his death in 1545. In 1569 Akbar captured the fort. Kalinjar played a prominent part in history down to the time of the Revolt of 1857, when it was held by a small British garrison. Both the fort and the town, which stands at the foot of the hill, are of interest to the antiquary on account of the remains of temples, sculptures, inscriptions and caves.

Mandsaur Fort

Mandsaur Fort, also known as Dashpur Fort, is situated in Mandsaur city in Mandsaur District in Madhya Pradesh state of India.
The Mandsaur city is situated on the border of. Malwa and Mewar and as such was strategically very important. Alter attack of Timur, the Delhi Sultanate became weak. Dilawar Khan Ghauri was governor of the Malwa province of Central India during the decline of the Delhi Sultanate,. Dilawar Khan declared himself Sultan of Malwa in 1401, and passed the kingdom to his son Hoshang Shah upon his death.Thus he had practically come to Mandu in 1401 as the first King of Malwa. Dilawar had also shitted the capital from Dhar to Mandu, renaming it Shadiabad, the city of joy. The successor of Dilawar Khan Gauri was Hushang Shah Gori (1405-1435), who constructed fort at strategically important Mandsaur city to strengthen his north-west boundary. He Is also remembered for his wonderful taste in architecture. It was he who made Mandu one of the most impregnable forts of India.The Sisodia rulers of Mewar by this time were becoming strong. Mandsaur fort was mainly associated with Mandu rulers.

In 1519 Rana Sanga occupied the fort and appointed Ashokmal Rajput as its Kiledar. In 1535 Humayun also stayed here for few months during his Malwa expedition. During Sher Shah period Sadar Khan was appointed its Kiledar. During the reign of Akbar Mandsaur got the status of sarkar. In 1733 the Malwa subedar of Mughals Sawai Jaisingh attacked the fort but was defeated by Marathas and the fort went to Marathas.The historically most important event in the fort was the treaty of 1818 between Tantiya Jog senapati of of Malhar Rao Holkar II and Sir John Majcum under which Malwacame in occupation of British rule.

The fort has twelve gates. It is surrounded by an outer wall. The south-east gale is known as Nadi Darwaja. On the side of this gate is an inscription which reveals thai it was constructed by an army officer Mukbil Khan in 1490 during, the tenure of Giyas Shah (1469-1500).

The fort premises are now-a-days used as office by collector. District Judge and other Govt officers.There are two gardens in which there is a pillar of torandwar. It is believed to be pillar of Surya Mandir of the inscription of Bandhu Varma. There is a Shiva statue also in the garden.

Bandhu Varma was contemporary of Kumargupta. I and Samundragupta. He was ruler
Mandsaur be before Huna victory of Yashodharman. There is a inscription about BandhuVarma at Mandsaur. The silk workers had constructed Sun temple here which was repaired by Bandhu Varma in samvat 530 (473 AD).This indicates that he was present there till 473AD. Afler'Bandhuvarma the ruler of Mandsaur was Vishnuvardhan who creeted a pillar of victory at Bayana due to which Bayana's name became Vijaygarh. Vishnuvardhan and Yasodharman assumed the title of Samrat after they occupied the territories of Bandhuvarma. It is also mentioned that Vishnuvardha had assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja or Emperor.

Narwar Fort

Narwar fort is situated atop a hill, at Narwar in Madhya Prudish, about 500 fee^ above ground level spread over an area of 8 km2, which stands on a steep scarp of the Vindhya Range Kachwaha Rajput are said to have built (or rebuilt) the fort when they occupied Narwar in the 10tn century. Kachwaha. Parihara, and Tomara Rajputs held Narwar successively from 12th century onwards, until its capture by the Mughals in the 16th century. It was conquered by the Maratha chief Scindia in the early 19th century.

It is now in a dilapidated condition, but the remains suggest that,, in the flourishing days, it might have been only second to the Gwalior Fort in magnificence.The interior of the fort is divided by cross walls into four 'ahata' and 'dholaahata'. The architecture of the fort and palaces is basically Rajput in style with Hat ceiling, fluted columns and multifold arches. The inner walls of the palaces have been decorated with bright paint and glass beads. Near the fort are the Jai Stambha, Sati monument, Ladu bungalow, Chhip Mahal. MakardwajTal, Kacheri mahal, Sikandar Lodi's Mosque, and Jail Kamhba. Traditionally said to have been the capital of Raja Nala of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, the town was called Nalapura until the 12th century. Outside the walled town are memorial pillars of the Tomar chiefs.

Bandhavgarh Fort

The Bandhavgarh Fort is situated in Bandhavgarh in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, India." It is located on the Bandhavgarh hill, rising 811 meters above sea level at the centre of the Bandhavgarh National Park. It is a surrounded by a large number of smaller hills separated by gently sloping valleys.These valleys end in small, swampy meadows, locally known as 'bohera'.

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