Himachal’s Strongest Kangra Fort
HIMSANSKRITI (Cover Story)
In olden days, it was said that the person who holds the Kangra Fort will be the one who ruled over Kangra. This historic monument is believed to be the largest fort in the Himalayas and probably the oldest dated fort in India. Archeologists are engaged in research to establish the time of construction of Himachal’s strongest fort that demonstrates a fine mixture of medieval and ancient building architecture. The monument under control of Archeological Survey of India has been registered under National Culture Fund to enable people and companies to contribute for its development. The fort has seen many rulers ever since it came into existence. Maharaja Sanasar Chand had occupied it before it fell under the control of the Brirish in 1846. Aditya Dev, present descendant of Katoch rulers has established Maharaja Sansar Chand Museum near fort that exhibits information about Katoch dynasty and their lifestyle.
Attacks on Kangra Fort
It is believed that Raja Susharma Chandra of Katoch dynasty had built Kangra Fort. He fought for Kauravas in Mahabharta battle. After the defeat of Kauravas, Susharma Chandra didn’t return to his capital in Multan, now in Pakistan, but came to Kangra along with his soldiers. He took the area known as Trigarta under his control and built the fort for his stay. Maharaja Raja Sanasar Chand-II, liberated the fort from the possession of Mughals. Kangra style of paintings developed during his time. This fort has been subjected to countless attacks and almost all rulers who ever walked on the land of India tried to take the Kangra Fort under their control.
* Raja of Kashmir Shreshta attacked this fort in 470 A.D.
* Muhammad Gazni, plundered this fort in the year 1009
* Muhammed Tughlaq captured the fort in 1337
* Feroze Shah captured this fort later in year 1357
* Jahangir captured this fort in 1620 followed by Jassa Singh Kanhaya in 1781
* Before falling under the control of the British in 1846, it was last occupied by Maharaja Sansar Chand in 1846
Studies Underway to establish Time of Construction
Archeologists are engaged in research over the exact time of construction of historic Kangra Fort. Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is conducting studies based on recovered relics to establish the timing of construction of this fort. Notably, this fort had also suffered extensive damage during 1905 massive earthquake. The fort, popular as Nagar Kot, Kot Kangra and Bhimanagar is located on the hilltop at the confluence of Ban Ganga and Manjhi or Patal Ganga rivers in south west of Old Kangra town. The security wall of this massive structure is around kilometer in length and main entrance gate is known as Ranjit Singh Dwar.
Architecture and Darwazas: The fort is spread over a large area from both sides by a 4 km long outer circuit. Whole of the Fort is guarded by high rampant parts and massive walls of black stones. A walk through the various gateways is like a transition form of one period to the other. The fort is entered through a small courtyard enclosed between two gates which is known as Ranjit Singh Darwaza (Phatak) and only date from the Sikh period, as appears from an inscription over it in 1878. Steps that will take through the halfway Ahni and Amiri gates are attributed to Nawab Alif Khan, the first governor of Kangra. On the right side of the entrance, there is a water pond called Go-Mukh. The major attractions of Fort lie in the huge ‘Darwazas‘ that is typical of medieval architecture. All darwazas contain the inscriptions of names of the King, who had once ruled this fort.
Priority is given to renovate the fort wall along the river that has suffered damage. Other works including construction of paths and continuous digging work within fort are underway
-Zulfikar Ali Superintendent Archaeologist, Archeological Survey of India
Temples within Fort
A little distant from the Darshini gate a staircase that leads to Lakshmi Narayan, Ambika Devi Temple and Shitala Mata Mandir which are considered as valuable monuments located in the courtyard of Kangra Fort. They were square chambers profusely decorated with beautiful carvings and design. Two Jain temples are also located in the vicinity of Kangra Fort. Ammunition store, Masjid, Phansi Ghar, Sukha Talab, Kapur Talab, Baradari, Shiv temple and many ponds are located in the rear part of the fort.
Registered under NCF
The Archeological Survey of India has registered this historic fort under National Culture Fund (NCF) with a view to develop this monument. The NCF was established as a funding mechanism distinct from the existing sources and patterns of the funding for the arts and culture in India. It enables institutions and individuals to support arts and culture directly as partners with its government as they can contribute for development within and outside the fort.
Renovation Work
The fort suffered massive damage during the 1905 earthquake and a large number of artifacts were recovered from the fort when its renovation was undertaken. These have been displayed in the museum. The fort was under control of Katoch rulers for three centuries but Mohammad Tuglak captured it in 1337 and Feroz Shah Tuglak in 1351. Archeologists have undertaken research to as to who constructed and controlled this fort before Katoch rulers. Majority of the inner part of the fort is in the ambit of research.
* Construction of pat near Kapur Sagar
* Continuous digging work within fort premises
* Wooden gates replace old iron gates of temples
* Artifacts of historical importance recovered from debris near Ranjit Singh Gate and Amiri Gate
* Scientific protection of big walls of the fort
* Recovered relics displayed in museum
Visitors Domestic Foreigners Total
2011 79890 1878 81768
2012 81370 2333 83707
Maharaja Sansar Chand Museum
Legacy of Katoch Dynasty
Maharaja Sansar Chand Museum owned by the royal family of Kangra is attracts a large number of tourists. Located near Kangra Fort, the museum reveals information through pictures about the Katoch dynasty at the entrance that exhibits items like crystal and silver utensils, clothes, coins, silver bed swords, written text and almost everything that could showcase the royal lifestyle. On the left side of entrance of the museum one can see the names of 490 names of Katoch rulers. Present descendant of Katoch rulers Aditya Dev has established the museum in three kanals of land.
Unfulfilled Announcements
Former Agriculture Minister Vidya Sagar Chaudhary took initiative to start Trigart Utsav in Kangra Fort with dual objective of entertaining people and attracting more tourists towards this historic monument. Later this festival was shelved. Other announcements that remained unfulfilled are
* Establishing a café in the fort
* Installing musical fountains and light and sound music systems
* Constructing a ropeway between fort and Jayanti Mata Temple
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