Structural Description of Old Kangra Fort

Kangra, the ancient Trigartha, occupying the lower valley of Beas and its tributaries was from very remote times one of the leading hill states of Punjab. During the pre-Mohammadan period, it made part of the kingdom of Jalandhara. When the plains of Punjab were subjugated by the Mohammadans, the kings of that principality, reduced to their territories in the hills, retained in the Kangra Fort a stronghold which more than once baffled the attempts of Muslim invaders.

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The Fort of Kangra is famous for its strength, stability, strong fortifications and impregnability. It occupies a long narrow strip of land in the fort between the Manjhi and Ban Ganga rivers. Its walls are upwards of 4 km in circuit. The strength of the Kangra Fort does not lie in its work but in the precipitous cliffs overhanging the two rivers, which on the side of Ban Ganga rise to a height of about 300 feet .The only accessible point is on the land side towards the town, but few hundred feet, across which a depth ditch has been hewn at the foot of the walls.

The Kangra Fort entered through a small courtyard enclosed between two gates which are known as 'Phatak' and only date from the Sikh period as appears from an inscription over the entrance. From here a long and narrow passage leads up to the top of the Kangra Fort, through the Ahani and Amiri Darwaza, both attributed to nawab Saif Ali Khan, the first Mughal Governor of Kangra. Some 500 feet from the outer gate the passage turns round at a very sharp angle and passes through the Jahangiri Darwaza.

The Darsani Darwaza which was flanked by defaced statues of the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna gave access to a courtyard, along the south side of which, facing north, stood the shrines Lakshmi Narayana Sitala and Ambika Devi.Between the two last mentioned buildings a stair-cased up to the palace.

For More Fantastic Photos of Old Kangra Fort Visit: Old Kangra Fort Pictures

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