Strewn with innumerable forts throughout her length and breadth, India presents a fascinating spirit of the country’s royalty through these masterpieces of defense to travellers across the globe
India’s long history is riddled with wars and conquests and the innumerable forts strewn across the country is a constant reminder of this magnificent past. Not only do these forts present a peep into the past but also narrate the tales of the royal kingdoms of India. There are three different types of ancient Indian forts – Jal Durg, Giri Durg and Vana Durg. While Rajasthan has always been regarded as a treasure trove of ancient forts, coastal states like Maharashtra has also been bestowed with innumerable defense masterpieces dotting the coastline. While old Delhi is home to some strategic fortifications, the rest of the country has its fair share of forts as well.
Rajasthan royalty
The forts in Rajasthan are a perfect example of the architectural heritage of this princely state. Some of the major forts of this state include the Amber Fort in Jaipur, Chittorgarh Fort in Chittorgarh, Junagarh Fort in Bikaner, Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Sonar Kila in Jaislamer, and many more. Recently six of Rajasthan’s forts were recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The six forts consist of the ones in Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer, Ranthambhore (Sawai Madhopur), Gagaron (Jhalawar) and Amber (Jaipur).
Crowning the crest of a hill, Amber Fort is an important monument in Rajasthan. The citadel was established in 1592 by Man Singh I on the remains of an old 11th century fort, but the various buildings added by Jain Singh I are what constitute its centerpiece. The fort offers a panoramic view of Maota Lake and the historic old town at the base. Several havelis, step wells, and temples can be seen below the fort. Another fort of significance is the Chittorgarh Fort. Situated on the left bank of the Berach River, the Chittorgarh Fort is also called the Water Fort. The fort had 84 water bodies inside, out of which only about 22 exist today. This fort also hosts the biggest Rajput festival called the Jauhar Mela. The most valuable monuments in the Chittorgarh Fort are Gaumukh reservoir, Vijay Stambha and Rana Kumbha Palace.
Playing sentinel to the old capital of Amber, the Jaigarh Fort or the Victory Fort strategically dominates the Cheel ka Teela. The fort has many basic constructions of feudal India, which are appealing to travellers. It has quite a few imperial strongholds, a warehouse, well-thought-out gun foundry, numerous great shrines and a high turret. Situated on the sands of the Thar Desert, the Jaisalmer Fort was built in 1156 by Maharawal Jaisal, and added to by his successors. This citadel stands on the peak of the 80 m high Trikuta Hill. Royal palaces, a cluster of Jain temples, mansions and shops are all contained within its walls.
Rising out of a 125 m high rock, Mehrangarh is one of the most majestic of Rajasthan’s forts. Founded by Rao Jodha in 1459, the fort was added to by later rulers, mostly between the mid 17th and mid 19th centuries. The royal apartments within the fort now form part of a museum. Constructed between 1587 and 1593 by the third ruler of Bikaner, Rai Singh, Junagarh Fort is protected by a 986 m long sandstone wall with 37 bastions, a moat and, most effectively of all, by the forbidding expanse of the Thar Desert.
Majestic Maharashtra
Standing as silent sentinels to history are the 350 forts of Maharashtra. Most of the forts in Maharashtra are associated with Shivaji, the Maratha warrior. There are a number of forts famous for trekking such as Purandhar Fort, Bahadurgad Fort, Ahmednagar Fort and Ratnagarh Fort. One of the largest and most important forts in Maharashtra, the Panhala Fort, overlooks a pass in the Sahyadri mountain range near Kolhapur. Roughly triangular in shape, the hill fort stands at a height of about 850 m and has a circumference of approximately 7.25 km.
Devagiri in Aurangabad, is famous for its formidable hill fort. The noteworthy features of the fort are the moat, the scarp and the sub-terranean passage, all hewn of solid rock. Situated on a rock of oval shape near the port town of Murud, is Janjira which is one of the strongest marine forts of India. The fort has 19 rounded bastions, still intact. Raigarh was Shivaji’s capital, the hill fort where he was crowned and where he died. Sindhudurg Fort stands on a rocky island, known as Kurte, barely a km from Malvan. Built in 1664-67 AD by Shivaji, the 48 acre fort has a four km long zigzag line of nine metres high and three metres wide rampart with 42 bastions.
The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) recently announced its plan to revive the Sewri Fort in Mumbai as a pilot project and the success of which could be replicated in all other forts. A cost of Rs 11 crore has been mooted by MTDC to revive this fort. This initiative is a significant development because of the total 350 forts, only about 19 have been notified by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) while another 50 have been notified by the state directorate. Dr Jagdish Patil, former managing director, MTDC, opines, “Many of the forts across the state are in poor condition and have been encroached on, and many remain inaccessible or unknown to the public. We just want to bring this rich heritage to the public through the fort circuit.” A museum, mini-theatre, souvenir shop and an open deck restaurant are being proposed under the scheme. “Tourists can take their own time, sip a cup of coffee and track the migratory bird from the comfort of an open deck restaurant which will be constructed outside the fortification wall,” adds Dr Patil. Maharashtra has over half of the total forts in the country located mainly along the Sahyadri range, and Sewri is just one of the many forts which the state corporation is developing as part of its fort circuit. Worli and Bandra forts are the other monuments in Mumbai, which the MTDC has planned to adopt.
Other masterpieces
Though Rajasthan and Maharashtra are famous for their magnificent collection of forts, there are many other states that continue to showcase some beautiful defense masterpieces. For instance, the Lal Quila or The Red Fort is one of the most important historical buildings in India, located in Delhi. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the fort is made up of thick red sandstone. Some important buildings and other structures inside the fort are Moti Masjid, Diwan-i-Aam, an archaeological museum, an Indian war memorial museum to name a few. Gwalior Fort is another beautiful historical monument. Located in Madhya Pradesh, this fort was built by Rana Man Singh Tomar. The major attractions are Sas-Bahu temple, Gujari Mahal which is now a museum and The Man Mandir. The famous Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh is known for its rich history and majestic grand structure. Golconda Fort is touted as the Seven Wonders of Hyderabad.
Agra Fort, also known as the Red fort of Agra, is among the best tourist places in Uttar Pradesh. Jhansi Fort, another architectural marvel of Uttar Pradesh, was the residence of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. The famous Kangra Fort built by the royal family of Kangra, and situated in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh is considered to be the largest fort in the Himalayas and one of the oldest forts in India. The most valuable monuments in the Kangra Fort is the Vajreshwari temple. Srirangapatnam Fort and Belgaum Fort are some famous forts situated in Karnataka.
Heritage hotels
Apart from touring these magnificent forts, today travellers can also experience a royal stay at forts which have been converted into heritage hotels. For instance, the Mukundgarh Fort in Rajasthan has been converted into a heritage hotel by Cross Country Hotels. The group has retained the ambience of this 250 year old fort with its charming, painted interiors that include the typical Shekhawati fresco. The Mukundgarh Fort has 48 rooms, a multi-cuisine restaurant, bar, and swimming pool, and a profusion of overhanging balconies, jharokhas and courtyards. Likewise, a 17th century Dundlod Fort in Rajasthan is infused with immense nostalgia of the Shekhawats – the warrior Rajputs. Presently, a heritage hotel, it offers 22 rooms and a roof top restaurant. Guests can indulge in horse riding and camping at the Risala Camp.
Fort JadhavGADH, a unique property in Maharashtra, is a fort heritage hotel that offers the quintessential experience of royal Maratha legacy. Guests can experience the three centuries old lifestyle with the comfort of modern amenities in luxurious surroundings. Focusing on what distinguishes the property from other heritage hotels in western India, Biswajit Biswas, general manager, Fort JadhavGADH says, “This unique project, a brainchild of Dr Vithal Kamat, focuses on a Gadh heritage experience in the Maratha culture. Unlike other heritage hotels which are more stereotyped by Rajasthani themes, Fort JadhavGADH has its roots firmly in its Maratha heritage. From the moment you enter the fort’s impressive gate to the sounds of beating drums and the Marathi Tutari, one immediately gets the feeling of having entered the pages of history. Wherever possible, we have definitely managed to retain the look and ambiance.” The highlights of the property are its rooms called ‘Kholis’, restaurants like The Payatha Restaurant, Chhajja along with a diverse range of activities like bullock cart rides, hill treks, to name a few.
Other notable fort heritage hotels in India include Fort Chanwa Luni, Fort Dhariyawad, Jagram Durg, Neemrana Fort-Palace, etc.