Fort, Heritage

India is a country of rich heritage. Standing witness to the glorious days of the past are huge palatial buildings called Forts. These forts are a reminder of the mesmerizing ancient architecture. They hold stories of kings and their succession, stories of gory battles and moments of joy and triumph. India has some of the most magnificent forts in the world.

In the past Kings and Rajas built forts around which townships grew and developed. The oldest surviving fort in India is the Qila Mubarak at Bathinda which had it origins in 100 AD during the Kushan empire. The Kangra Fort in Kangra believed to have been built by the still surviving Katoch dynasty after the battle of Mahabharta. The fort was written about by the scribes of Alexander the Great, thus making it the oldest fort in India.

Tourists from around the globe visit these Forts and palaces. It is a joy to behold the marvel and grandeur of the architecture, design and beauty of these structures. Though most of the forts were built with the intention of building a self defense mechanism they were also the spots of great importance in these erstwhile kingdoms.

There are many forts of importance in India. Some of the most notable are the Red fort, Agra, the Gwalior fort and the Junagarh fort. The Agra & the Red Fort have been declared by UNESCO as the World Heritage Sites. The states of Maharashtra and Rajasthan have some of the most noted forts in the country

There are six different types of forts. Most of the forts have very complex architecture. The first is the Dhava Durg or Desert Fort; the Mahi Durg or the mud fort; the Jala Durg or the water fort; the Giri Durg or hill fort; the Vriksha or Vana Durg, or the forest fort; the Nara Durg or fort protected by men.

Of all these forts the Giri Durg is considered the best.  In ancient days one of the most crucial requirements of a fort was a regular supply of water. This supply of water was crucial to the well being of the citizens who lived inside the fort especially in times of siege. Sometimes sieges by enemy soldiers could last for months. People who built the forts gave great importance and thought to the availability of this life saving element by laying down guidelines on storage and efficient reservoir systems. Sources of water were also closely guarded secrets in those days.

There are many forts in the state of Maharashtra. Most of these forts were built during the reign of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who was great Maratha leader and warrior. In his reign some of the forts were developed into fort cities like Panhala. 

Some of the famous forts are the Agra Fort, Amber Fort, Chittorgarh Fort, Red Fort alias Delhi Fort, Gwalior Fort, Jaisalmer, Junagarh Fort, Purana Fort and Tuqlakabad Fort.

These tall ramparts often beaten by the sea waves, lashed at by the torrential rains, or scorched in the blazing sun, stand the test of time creating lingering memories of India’s martial times.