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ARCHITECTURE
Eternal India
encyclopedia
MADHYA PRADESH
Gwalior
; The great fortress of Gwalior is situated on a precipitous
flat-topped and isolated hill of sandstone. It is one of the most
formidable forts of North India. In 1232 A.D. it was captured by
Iltutmish. The Sultans of Delhi made use of it as a state prison.
Raja Man Singh (1486-1516) was the most celebrated king of the
Tomara dynasty of Gwalior. Afterwards it fell into the hands of
Mughals. The water supply feature in this fort is unique. The
other unique feature is the numerous rock sculptures which
belong to the Rajput period.
Mandhargarh
: Hill fort, also called Mandu. Mandu gained promi-
nence when the Parmara rulers shifted their capital from Ujjain to
Daar. Under the kings Murya and Bhoja, Malwa attained a height
of glory unmatched in the history of Northern India.
Asirgarh
: The famous fort of Asirgarh is situated on an isolated
hill of the Satpura range. In early days the fort was impregnable
from its great height and its unfailing supply of water. It is one of
the oldest forts in India. Allaudin Khilji captured Asirgarh to-
wards the end of 13th c and killed all the members of the Hada
family except one. Akbar captured it after a prolonged siege of
eleven months. Annexed by British in 1819-.
Chanderi
: The fortress is situated on a low flat-topped hill over-
looking the valley of the Betwa, about 250 ft above the city. The
fort is one and a quarter mile in length from north to south and 3/4
mile in breadth. The fort commands a beautiful view of the city on
one side and of the lake on the other.
DECCAN
Badami
(Kar) : Hill-cum-land fort and was the capital of the
Deccan for over 200 years under early Chalukyas. In 1778 it was
taken over by Hyder Ali.
Bijapur
(Kar) : Once the capital of Adil Shahi dynasty. In 1310
Alauddin Khilji's forces occupied Bijapur. In 1457 the Governor-
ship was in the hands of Khwaja Mahmud Gawan. In 1686 it was
annexed by Aurangzeb.
Bidar
: It was under Bijapur from 1619 to 1696. From 1656-1724 it
was under the Mughal empire.
Guibarga
: It was made the citadel of Bahamani kingdom by
Allauddin Hassan Shah Gangir Bahaman in the middle of 14th
century.
Golconda
(Andhra Pradesh) : Ruled by Rajas of Warangal in 13th
C ceded to Bahamani kings in 1336. In 17th century it was
conquered by Aurangzeb.
Warangal
(Andhra Pradesh) : Ancient capital of Kakatiya fell to
Mughals in 14th century.
Deogiri
(Andhra Pradesh) : (also called Daulatabad) The fort is
built on a conical rock 600 feet high. It is defended by a powerful
wall and moat.
Raigarh
(Maharashtra) : It is situated on a hill which rises about
2,850 feet above sea level. .In 1479 it was taken over by Nizam
Shahi rulers. Renamed Islamgarh by the rulers of Bijapur.
Parhalgarh
(Maharashtra) : Hill fort, stands on top of Sahyadris.
Taken over by Shivaji in 1659, and captured by Bijapur rulers in
1661. From 1673 it was under Marathas.
Shivneri
: Hill fortress, birthplace of Shivaji.
Purandhargarh
: Situated on a hill about 4472 feet above sea
level. It is one of the oldest forts. In 1670 it was taken over by
Shivaji's forces. In 1881 the British captured the fort.
Sinhalgarh
: 20 km south-west of Pune, 4320 feet above sea
level. In 1647 captured by Shivaji. In 1665 handed over to
Mughals. In 1670 Shivaji captured the fort but lost his general
Tanaji Malusare in the battle.
Viyayadurg
: Sea fort on west coast of India. In 1698 it was taken
over by Marathas. In 1881 taken over by the British.
Vijayanagar
: Capital of Vijayanagara kingdom. It was the
richest city in 14th century. The Muslim armies completely ran-
sacked and ravaged this place after the famous battle of Tallikota.
Kondavid
(AP) : Ancient fort.
Kondapally
(AP) : Ancient hill fort.
Vellore
: Fort built by Rajas of Vijayanagar. Annexed by Shivaji
in 1677. In 1768 captured by the British.
Dindigul
: Hill fort. In 1755 captured by Hyder Ali. In 1792
annexed by the British.
Jinjee
: One of the most ancient forts in India, built by powerful
rulers of the Chola dynasty.
Madhura
: Held by Pandya and Chola dynasties. Captured by
Muhammadans in 1324. Later ruled by the Nayak dynasty. Famous
ruler Thirumala Nayak (1623-59).
DELHI
According to Cunningham the seven forts of old Delhi of which
remains still exist are:
i
Lalkot, built by Arang Pal about 1052 A.D.
ii
Kila Raipithura built by Rai Pathra (Prithviraj Chauhan) about
1180 A.D.
iii Siri or Kila Alar built by Allauddin in 1304 A.D.
iv Tughlaquabad, built by Tughlakshah in 1321 A.D.
v
Citadel of Tughlaquabad, built by Tughlakshah in 1321 A.D.
vi Adilabad built by Mohammad Tuqhlak about 1325 A.D.
vii Johan Panha, enclosed by Mohammad Tughlak about 1326
A.D.
The Purana Qila is a fortress enclosed by a massive wall of
coarse rubble 60 ft high and 50 feet thick at the base.
Red Fort
: When Shahjahan planned to shift his capital from Agra
to Delhi, the open land near the river Yamuna was chosen as the
site for this citadel comprising a fort and palace. Work commenced
in May, 1639 and what emerged is the Red Fort, so called after the
red sandstone used for its construction. The outer walls of the fort
are covered with a succession of turrets, kiosks, domes, balconies,
windows, and perforated screens, which make it extremely pictur-
esque. The fort was originally surrounded by a wide moat. The fort
contained innumerable gardens and fountains, with a canal of water
flowing through each building known as the Nahar-i-bahisht (the
stream of paradise.)
The entrance to the fort is today through the Lahore Gate i.e. the
gate facing the city Lahore. This gate with its side towers and
imposing central archway has within it a long arcade with arched
rooms on each side. This arcade was once the hub of activity where
sat the court of jewellers, goldsmiths, workers in enamel, carpet
manufacturers, weavers of costly silks etc.
The 12 m high defensive barbican in front of the fort was built by
Aurangzeb who objected to the clear view into the palace which the
people could formerly obtain, whenever the gates were open.