"ITIHAAS KE GAWAH”

  FORTS OF INDIA

          This project is an endeavor to tell the spellbinding history associated with our Forts. Apart from structural details and bringing to fore the tremendous planning by the architects of the period, their achievements and the astonishing precision work executed by the artisans and the sometimes subtle and beautiful and at times lavish and extravagant ideas brought to shape by the artists.  

          Forts are not only massive defense structures, they are also treasures of delicate and beautiful carvings and paintings.

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The Forts covered by our series are 

1)        RAIGARH       2)   PANHALA             3)  SHIVNERI 

4)    JANJIRA         5)  DAULATABAD      6)  BUNDI 

7)    JAISALMER   8)  KUMBHALGARH  9)  RANTHAMBHOR

10)  KALINJAR    11) CHITTOR             12)  GOLCONDA 

13)  BIDAR

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PANHALA    

Center of Learning and Political activity. A fort won over always by corrupt practices was fortified by the Satvahanas, Kadams, Chalukyas, and Shilahas Kings. Architecture is a rare combination of Hindu and Turkish Style. Finally won by Shivaji along with a fleet of only 60 soldiers.    

Sambhaji elder son of Shivaji coranated in 1680. finally after the deaths of Sambhaji and then Rajaram his younger son, Rajaram's wife Tarabai began ruling on behalf of her minor son Shivaji II.  

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SHIVNERI  

144 kms from Bombay, the fort was a large Buddhist Medication centre until the rule of the Satvahanas, Kadams, Chalukyas.    

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JANJIRA  

This legendary monument, situated in the western part of India, 235 kms from Bombay was constructed by the “Habshis” who originated from North Eastern Africa. This fort is situated in the midst of the Arabian Sea.    

With 19 Bastions having canons for maximum security, the design was such that the enemy could not locate the firing bastion. One the Bastions has a 15 tonne cannon. There were 68 other cannons on the Bastions. It is said that there were over 572 cannons on the Fort.  

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DAULATABAD  

A Hill fort 14 kms from Aurangabad is surrounded by a Moat from all sides. An invincible fort it was carved out of a hill in the middle of a moat.  

Built by the Yadavas in 1187 the fort was known as DEVGIRI. In 1320 the fort was won by Mohammed Tuglaque and he pronounced it his capital renaming it DAULATABAD. The fort is also the place where Aurangzeb had imprisoned Shivaji’s son Sambhaji for a short period of time.  

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BUNDI  

From Brindavati to Tara Garh to Bundi the fort has seen many names from the times it was built in 1342 A.D. It was constructed in the Aravalli Hills  by Hamir Hada. Built at a height of 14oo ft the fort is small beautiful and well fortified.    

The paintings on the walls and the ceilings are breathtaking. The paintings on the walls speak not only of artistic achievements of the period but also of the religious and social aspect of the civic life of the times.  

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JAISALMER  

Founded by the descendants of  Lord Krishna the fort has a double outer wall and 99 bastions. Every king who ruled this fort gave his might to fortifying and decorating it. From the time the work was started in 1177 the fort has witness to ups and downs of Rajasthan's History.    

The temples, statues ,sculptures and very delicate stone carvings known to be the very best in the world, bring out the beauty of the Fort.    

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KUMBHALGARH  

On of the important creations of Maharana Kumbha this fort is situated in the Aravalli Mountain range of Western India.  Situated 407 kms from Jaipur the beauty of the Fort is its 600 acres wall encompassing the ups and downs of the hilly terrain to mark the city’s borders. Still intact the rampart is an illustration of solid structure combined with beauty. The domes and multicarved arches speak of the ancient Indian traditions which were not influenced by foreign architecture.    

The marble sculptures and Jain Monuments give an occasion for aesthetic satisfaction and Beautific vision.  

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RANTHAMBHOR

  The fort once captured by Qutb Uddin Aibak and later surrendered to the might of the Rajput forces is situated atop a hill at the height of 700 ft. At the foot of the hill there were reservoirs and streams designed for protection. Consisting of many houses and buildings the fort has a masonry pipeline throughout.  

  An old Ganesh temple built in the 8^th century attracts visitors for its architectural brilliance. Purely Hindu style of architecture with carvings and octagonal shapes adorn the Fort.  

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KALINJAR  

One of the Oldest forts in India this was located at a famous place of Pilgrimage during the Mahabharata Period. There are a number of temples tanks and inscriptions found in the ruins.    

The fort is situated atop a hill the crest of which is  perpendicular rock. Some parts of the terraplain overhang the precipice. The approach to the fort is defended by loopholed walls and seven gateways.  

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CHITTORGARH

  392 kms from Delhi and 72 miles from Udaipur Chittor is situated in the Aravalli Hills in North Western India. Raj Tilla is a an example of Mauryan Architecture. The fort is fortified with a double layer of outer walls.  

  Bappa Rawal laid the foundation of his empire here in the 6^th or 8^th century.  

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GOLCONDA

Previously called Mangalawaram the fort is located 12 kms from Hyderabad. The outer walls were earlier made of Mud and later fortified and made with Rock designed as spiralling  steps.    

The most important feature of the Golconda Fort was the magic of sound messages. The messages were sent downwards the fort as claps which can be clearly heard upto 435 feet below. There were store houses and all necessities were fulfilled. The Diamond Market is still known the world over.  Aurangzeb constructed the Hifazati Darwaza, also named the first door Fateh Darwaza.                                                            

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BIDAR  

Situated in the historic town of Bidar in Karnataka, the fort was ruled by the Chalukyas and Kakatiyas and later was in ruins.  

During its lively period the fort saw many a king adding to its Beauty, 37 bastions 5 massive doorways royal palaces and the world famous Takth Mahal. There is also a 16 pillar mosque and a fountain in the Raj Mandap  

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