Bila Quila Fort, Alwar This huge fort,constructed
before the rise of the Mughal empire, stretchs 5 km from north to south and 1.6
km from east to west, and stands 304 metres above the city and 595 metres above
the sea level. This huge fort has 15 large and 51 small towers and 446 openings
for musketry, along with 8 huge towers encompassing it.
The fort has
several gates - jai pol, Suraj pol, Laxman Pol, Chand Pol, Kishan Pol and Andheri
Gate. Also there are remains of Jal Mahal, Nikumbh Mahal, Salim Sagar, Suraj Kund
and many temples. Babar had spent a night at this fort and took away the hidden
treasures to gift to his son, Humayun. Akbars son , Jahangir had also stayed
here for some time during his exile. The place where he stayed is called salim
mahal. The fort was finally annexed by maharaja Pratap singh in 1775 A.D.
This is a huge fort,with its five kms of ramparts stands 300 mts. above the
city.Predating the time of Pratap Singh, it is one of the very few forts in Rajasthan
which was constructed before the rise of Moghuls. Unfortunately, because the fort
now houses a radio transmitter station,it can only be visited with special permission.
The way to the fort goes near the collectrate office in the city. it is a climb
up to the hill with panaromic view all around. In the way one can see the temple
of Godess Karani Mata.
The fort is believed to be constructed by Nikumbh
Rajputs in 928 AD. It then passd in to the hands of the Jats and the Mughals.In
1775 AD the fort was conquered by Maharao Raja Pratap Singh ,the founder of the
Alwar State.
The fort is 595 mts. above the sea level and 304 mts. above
the city , and extends about 5 kms from north and south and 1.6 kms from east
and west. It has 15 large and 51 small towers, which contains 446 loopholes for
the musketry.And eight towers all around defend it .There are 3,599 kanguras ,each
containing two loopholes for musketry. The fort can be entered through six gates,
namely Jai Pol, Suraj pol, laxman Pol, laxman Pol, Chand Pol, Krishan Pol and
Andheri Gate.
Most of the structure inside the fort are in the ruins,but
they reflect the grandeur of the bygone era. the are remains of Jai mahal, Nikhumbh
Mahal ,Salim Sagar Pond,Suraj kund and many other temples. A dilapidated fortress,
built in V.S. 1106(about 1049 AD) by Alagh rai and extended by his successors,
also exists overhere.
The most distinguished visitors to the fort were
the Mughal Emperors Babur who stayed overnight, and Akbar the Great,on his way
to Fatehpur Sikri in 1579. Prince Salim son of Akbar also resided here during
his exile, the palace where he stayed is called as Salim Mahal which is now in
the ruins.
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Bila Quila Fort - Alwar , Rajasthan
Forts Reservation Form "
Rajasthan Forts
Mehrangarh
Fort, Jodhpur || Rohet
Fort, Near Jodhpur || Luni
Fort, Near Jodhpur || Bila
Quila Fort, Alwar || Kumbhalgarh
Fort, Udaipur || Junagarh
Fort, Bikaner || Jaisalmer
Fort, Jaisalmer || Taragarh
or The Star Fort, Bundi || Fort,
Chittorgarh || Lohagarh
Fort, Bharatpur || Nahargarh
Fort, Nahargarh || Fort
of Shahbad and Mosque, Near Kota