India is extremely rich in its culture and heritage and it is apparent by the royal existence of around one thousands of forts.
The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural historical monuments, including forts, in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham during the British Raj who also became its first Director-General.
The existence of the earliest forts in India have been substantiated by documentation and excavation. In the medieval times, the architecture of the forts had both Hindu and Muslim influence. The forts constructed by the British initially opted for simple designs. The existing castles are continually modified and many of them are privately owned.
Most of the forts in India are actually castles or fortresses. But when the British Government in India were cataloguing them in the 17th–19th century they used the word forts as it was common in Britain then. All fortifications whether European or Indian were termed forts. Thereafter this became the common usage in India. In local languages, the fort names are suffixed by local word for fort thus usage of the Sanskrit word durga, or Urdu word qila or the Hindi word garh or gad in Rajasthan, and Maharashtra is common. For example, Suvarnadurg, Mehrangarh, Sudhagad etc.
Three major methods were used for the construction of ancient Indian forts. The first consisted of earthen ramparts. Often they were constructed of the sand which was dug out of the ditch surrounding the fort. The second of rubble with earth on the outside which was sturdier. The third type of construction was with stone and masonry work. The last was the strongest. Often materials from demolished forts were reused in the building of new forts.
By 4th Century BCE, fortified cities were common in India. The largest ones were between the city of Mathura (on the Yamuna River) and Magadha (on the Ganges). Another series of forts in the south, was on the Ujjain (on the Narmada) leading into the Deccan. These are inferred by the remains of fort walls and bastions seen on excavation at Rajagriha and at several sites in the Gangetic plain notably Kaushambi. At the latter site huge walls of burnt brick, which look like they have been battered.
There are few descriptions of these ancient structures. The most noted is the one by Megasthenes, an ambassador of Seleucus I Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya. He describes Pataliputra as being guarded by a ditch with wooden walls. The fort had 570 towers and 54 gates with colonnaded halls decorated with gold and silver. One such hall has been excavated and is one of the oldest stone structures in India.
Ancient India
There are six types of forts in the Indian history and each of these types had its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, according to the Manusmrti, the forest fort suffers from monkey attacks, the earthen forts get swarmed with rodents, the water forts were plagued by diseases etc. The Manusmṛti considers the Hill fort to be the best defensive structure. Some Sanskrit text consider hill forts to be the abode of gods and hence auspicious. The Mahabharata describes the Human fort as the most effective fortification.
Medieval India
There were several changes to the construction and design of forts with the advent of the Muslims, closely followed by the introduction of artillery in the 16th century. These changes were similar to the changes that took place in Western forts with the advent of gunpowder, i.e. the lowering of walls, thickening of walls, further pushing out of bastions etc. The construction of a citadel in the center and putting in more area between the citadel and the walls was characteristic of Muslim forts (influenced in turn by the Norman mote and bailey). Classic examples of such structures are the Golkonda and Berar forts.
The gates of medieval Indian forts were highly decorated. Two distinct styles are seen. The Hindu style with a lintel, and the Mughal style with an arch. Gates in Indian forts were often high and wide to allow elephants to pass. Often they had rows of sharp, stout iron spikes to dissuade an attacking army from using elephants to break down the gates. Such a gate with spikes can be seen on the Shaniwarwada fort, Pune. The walls of the forts were often looked higher from the outside than the inside as the forts made use of the natural rock formations on hills. This not only gave an illusion of greater height but also lead to the lower walls of the fort to be entirely made up of natural rock providing almost a perfect defense against the use of a battering ram or war elephants to tear down the walls. The main gate to the forts was located mostly facing north direction, this was to avoid its deterioration by the rains, winds and the sun.
British Era
The British established trading posts along the coast with the advent of the East India Company in the country. The need for security against local rajas as well as other European rival nations led to the construction of forts at each post. Mumbai fort, Fort William in Kolkata, Fort St George in Chennai were the main bastions constructed. These cities developed from the small townships outside the forts. Parsimony of the East India Company, non-availability of trained engineers and use of local materials and artisans resulted in the simple design and construction initially. The vulnerability of these earlier forts, hostilities with the French and the growing might of the Company resulted in stronger and more complex designs for the second round of construction, the design of Fort St George reflecting the influences of the French engineer Vauban.
Post-Independence
No Indian forts were destroyed by sudden disasters, there are several which were abandoned due to the ambitions of their rulers and have consequently deteriorated over time. Very few castles have survived unchanged since the early middle ages or even since the 14th-15th centuries: most of those built in the 10th-15th centuries were later rebuilt and altered. Castles were still used as living quarters until the 19th-20th centuries, and so were continually modified. Even now, some of them are private property.
Popular forts in India
In the most prominent remnants of Indian history, the first thing that pops up in mind is its majestic forts. Indulged into several historical tales, the forts of India are the live witness of the several royal legends of India.
Red Fort, Delhi
Red Fort of Delhi is among the major attractions in the capital city of India. Built using red sandstone, the fort is situated in clamor of Old Delhi. The fort used to be the residence of the Mughal emperors of India, until 1857. The main gate of the fort is called as Lahore Gate, which attracts a huge crowd on eve of Independence Day. The fort was built by Emperor Shah Jehan in 17th century.
Agra Fort, Agra
Humayun was crowned at the Red Fort in Agra. It was later renovated by the Mughal emperor Akbar from 1565 and the present-day structure was completed in 1573. It served as the main residence of the rulers of the Mughal dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city built by red stone. It was later renovated by Shah Jahan.
Amber Fort, Jaipur
The magnetism of this incredible fort of Jaipur is such that even the scorching sun of May and June can’t stop tourists from exploring this architectural marvel. Built with the blend of Rajputana and Mughal architectural style, the fort is positioned over a hilltop enjoying the view of Lake Mayota.
Junagarh Fort Bikaner
Originally called as Chintamani, Junagarh Fort is one of the very few forts of Rajasthan that are not built over a hilltop. The fort complex was constructed under the supervision of Karan Chand – a Prime Minister of Raja Rai Singh, who ruled between 1571 and 1611 AD. The construction of the walls and associated moat of the fort was started in the year 1589 and finished in 1594.
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort is the true symbol of power and honor in Jodhpur. The breathtakingly majestic fort in Jodhpur is the real glory of the city and the main base of its tourism. The fort was constructed during 1460 by Rao Jodha and is positioned 410 feet above the city. The fort is surrounded with magnificent thick walls and one can witness the marks of cannonballs on these walls.
Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
Located in the city of Jaisalmer, Jaisalmer Fort is among the largest fortifications of the world. It was constructed in 1156 AD by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal. The fort is proudly located amidst the sandy stretch of the great Thar Desert. Its immense yellow sandstone walls appear yellowish-brown during the day and turns shades as sun changes its position.
Gwalior Fort Gwalior
Gwalior Fort is an 8th century strikingly magnificent hill fort. The moment sunrays fall on the fort, it shines like a beautiful jewelry enhancing the beauty of Gwalior. The fort features artistic sculptures and sapphire paintings on its walls that enrich its splendour in every way. The fort has a place called Gujari Mahal that is converted into an archaeological museum.
Golkonda Fort Hyderabad
Also recognized as Golconda or Golla konda, Golkonda Fort is a huge citadel in Southern India. The fort is situated 11 KM west of Hyderabad. The fort was originally constructed by the Kakatiya dynasty as a part of their western defenses. It was erected on a granite hill that is 480 feet high and encircled by colossal battlements. This fort was built again to enhance its mightiness by Rani Rudrama Devi and her successor Prataparudra.
Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh Fort is among the largest forts of India situated in Chittorgarh. The fort grandly spreads over a hill of 180 meters height and positioned over an area of 692 acres. The magnificent fort was mostly ruled by Rajput kings, until it was finally discarded in 1568 after being captured by Emperor Akbar in 1567.
Jhansi Fort Jhansi
Jhansi Fort was built in 1613 by Raja Bir Singh Ji Deo – king of Orchha. It is situated on the rocky hill known as Bangra.
The fort has 10 gates, including Khandero Darwaja, Chand Darwaja, Datia Darwaza, Sainyar Darwaja, Unnao Darwaja, Orchha Darwaja, Jharna Darwaja, Sagar Darwaja and Laxmi Darwaja. The fort features a great collection of sculptures that give an insight into the historical legacy of Bundelkhand.
Categories of Ancient Indian forts
With course of time, most structures have decayed and are lost but India’s legacy of ancient forts is seen mostly in the shastras (ancient Indian treatises) and in the reliefs on stupas. On some of the early relief work, the carvings indicate that ancient Indian forts have crenellations, embrasures, and sloping walls. The Arthashastra the Indian treatise on military strategy describes six major types of forts differentiated by their major modes of defenses:
Jala-durga (Water fort)
=Antardvipa-durga (island fortress): surrounded by natural (sea or river) water bodies. E.g. Murud-Janjira.
=Sthala-durga (plain fortress): surrounded by artificial moats or irrigated by a river e.g. Deeg Fort, Lohagarh Fort.
Dhanvana- or Maru-durga (Desert Fort): Surrounded by an arid area of at least 5 yojanas (73 km).
Giri-durga (Hill fort)
=Prantara-durga: Located on a flat hill summit. E.g. medieval forts such as Chittor, Gwalior and Ranthambore.
=Giri-parshva-durga: The fortifications and civilian structures extend down to the hill slope (not just the summit).
=Guha-durga: Located in a valley surrounded by hills, where the outposts and the signal towers are located.
Vana-durga (Forest fort): Surrounded by a dense forest over a distance of at least 4 kroshas (14.6 km).
=Khanjana-durga, built on a fen surrounded by thorny forests.
=Sthambha-durga, built in the forest among tall trees; lacks sufficient water sources.
Mahi-durga (Earthen fort)
=Mrid-durga: surrounded by earthen walls
=Parigha-durga: Surrounded by earthen walls, as well as stone or brick walls. The walls are at least 5.4 m high and their width is half of their height, the smallest of which is 2.7 m wide.
=Panka-durga: Surrounded by fens or quicksand
Nri-durga (Human fort)