The ancient Rohtasgarh Fort is considered to be one of the largest hill forts in India
Rohtasgarh Fort is an old fort in India that is regarded as one of the country’s largest and strongest hill forts.
It is situated on the top of the Kaimur Hills, on the banks of the river Sone, in the little town of Rohtas, Bihar. The Kaimur Hills are 1500 meters high, and tourists frequently struggle to reach the summit. The fort’s perimeter wall is reached at the end of the 2000 limestone stairs. People must trek another mile from here to reach the remains of Rohtasgarh.
Inside the fort Photo Credit
The fort got its name from the mythological character Rohitashwa
The fort was named after the mythical figure Rohitashwa, the son of King Harischandra who spent several years here because his life was in danger. Rohtasgarh has a lengthy history, and there is no record of the actual date of construction. The first monuments originate from the 7th century AD, during King Sashanka’s reign. Another truth is that an inscription dated 1223 CE indicates that Shri Pratapa possessed the fort.
Throughout the years, however, the fort provided a haven for the riches and families of Sher Shan Suri, Shah Jahan, Mir Qasim, and others. After Sher Shah Suri seized it from a Hindu King in 1539, the fort rose to prominence. During his rule, the fort was held by 10,000 armed men, and one of Sher Shah’s troops, Haibat Khan, erected a Jama Masjid to the west of the fort.
Barracks in the fort
The facade of the fort
The Hanging House
The Devi Temple
The Ganesh Temple
Raja Man Singh, Akbar’s Hindu General, erected a residence for himself in the complex in 1539 AD. He also created a lovely Persian-style garden, cleaned up the ponds, and rebuilt the fort. Following his death, the fort was placed under the jurisdiction of the emperor’s wazir, from whom all governors were selected. During Shah Jahan’s rule, his son, Prince Khurram, sought sanctuary at Rohtas because he was angry with his father.
The fort’s keys were given to him, and he frequently visited the fort for protection throughout his life. Aurangzeb used the fort as a prison camp in the 17th century. Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bihar and Bengal, lost the fight to the British at the Battle of Udhwa Nala in 1763 AD and fled to Rohtas. The fort was at peace for the following century, which ended in 1857, during the First War of Independence, when the Indians were defeated by the British.
The Hathiya Pol
The Hathiya Pol and Elephant Gate, the Aina Mahal, Jama Masjid and Habsh Khan’s tomb, the Ganesh Temple, The Hanging House, and the Rohtasan and Devi temples are the most popular attractions in the complex
