Gagron Ancient Fort in Jhalawar
Distance : 10km from Jhalawar
¤ Gagron Fort Attraction
Gagron located 10 Km from Jhalawar, it is famous for its 8th century
fort standing witness to many battles fought for its possession.
* Surrounded by the waters of the Ahu and Kali Sindh rivers on three
sides- can be considered as one of the finest example of jala
durg(protected by water).
*A mute witness to 14 battles, though now in ruins, it is certainly
worth a visit, for it is still retains its Rajput aura - with its
barracks, magazine, palace and stables.
*The shrine of Sufi saint Mitheshah outside the fort is a popular
venue for celebrations during the muslim festival of Moharram.
¤ Gagron Town
Gagron is another village town in Rajasthan glorified for its many
battles fought for the possesion of its fort. In 1719 it was occupied
by Bhim Singh, the ruler of Kota who struck an alliance with the Rao
of Amber and the Sayyids in Delhi. Gagron was one of the favourite
retreats of Zalim Singh, and he was here where the Maharao of Bundi,
Umed Singh, breathed his last in 1819.
¤ Gagron Fort Protected by Jala Durg
Gagron fort is surrounded by the waters of the Ahu and Kali Sindh
rivers on three sides, one of the finest examples of what is callled
jala durg (protected by water). Its location itself is striking,
looming out of a rock on a little island where two rivers meet. The
fort went through 14 battles, and Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of
Delhi, besieged it unsuccessfully for 11 years. Jauhar, that terrible
form of women immolating themselves, was performed in Gagron fort not
once but thrice. The act of jauhar was undertaken by women of a
particular fort, choosing to die rather than fall into the hands of
the enemy.
¤ Remnants of The Fort
In 1561 Akbar captured Gagron, and the Mughals held it till 1715 when
it was gifted to Bhim Singh by the Sayyids, the two brothers who took
control of the Mughal empire after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. The
fort is now in ruins but certainly worth a visit, for it still retains
its Rajput aura. Its barracks, magazine, palace and stables are all
still there albeit in a state of decay. A few canopies lie scattered
within the fort, also in ruins. The shrine of the Sufi saint Mitheshah
lies just outside the fort and is a popular venue for celebrations
during the muslim festival of Moharram. Also within the fort is a
small village, a tranquil hamlet at peace from the outside world. The
fort is open on all days and admission is free. |
