Kalinjar Fort

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Kalinjar Fort
Part of India
Banda District, Uttar Pradesh, India Near Karwi
A view of Kalinjar Fort
Coordinates	24°59′59″N 80°29′07″E / 24.9997°N 80.4852°E / 24.9997; 80.4852
Type	Fort, Caves & Temples
Height	1,200 feet (370 m)
Site information
Controlled by	Government of Madhya Pradesh
Open to the public	Yes[citation needed]
Condition	Ruined Citadel
Site history
Built	5th century
Built by	Bhar Shivas, Chandellas and Marathas
Materials	Granite Stones
Demolished	1858
Battles/wars	Mahmud of Ghazni 1023, Sher Shah Suri 1545, 1732, East India Company 1812 and Revolt of 1857
Garrison information
Past commanders	Chandel dynasty of Rajputs, Solankis of Rewa
Garrison	1731 - 1858 British garrison 1947
Occupants	Last known Commander Shimant War of Independence

Hanuman Darwaza Kalinjar Fort Laldarwaza

Kalinjar (Hindi: कालिंजर) is a fortress-city in Baghelkhand, in Banda District of Uttar Pradesh, in India. It was ruled by several dynasties including the Guptas, the Vardhana Dynasty, the Chandelas, Solankis of Rewa, Mughal and the Marathas.

The fortress has several temples dating back to the Gupta dynasty of the 3rd–5th centuries. It is strategically located on an isolated rocky hill at the end of the Vindhya Range, overlooking the plains of Bundelkhand.^[1]

History[]

Etymology[]

Kalinjar is a portmanteau of the Sanskrit words Ka al, meaning time, and jar, meaning destruction, translating to destroyer of time.

Mythology[]

Kalinjar finds its mention in ancient Hindu mythological texts. According to Hindu legends, it is said that after the Samudra manthan, when God Shiva consumed poison that turned his throat blue, he came to Kalinjar and defeated the kaal i.e. achieved victory over death. This is the reason why Shiva temple at Kalinjar is called Neelkanth (blue-throated). Since then, the hill has been considered a holy site.

Early history[]

Kalinjar has also been mentioned in Buddhist literature, particularly in the travelogues of Buddha. The Chedi dynasty ruled here during the time of Gautama Buddha (563–480 BC). Following this, it was absorbed into the Maurya Empire and came to be known as Vindhya-Atavi.^[2]

The fort eventually came under the rule of the Shunga dynasty and the . In the Prayag Prasathi inscription of the Allahabad Pillar this region is mentioned by the name Vindhya Atavi. The Fort was in the control of the Gurjara Pratiharas, and remained until the rule of Nagabhatta II. Chandela rulers used to be their Mandalik kings. The mention of Kalinjar is found in almost every text or inscription of that time.^[3]

Medieval period[]

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According to the 16th century Persian historian Firishta, the town of Kalinjar was established by one Kedar Raja in the 7th century. Rastrakutas later seized the fortress. The fort came to prominence during the Chandela rule. According to Chandela-era legends, the fort was built by a Chandela ruler.^[4] The Chandela rulers used the title Kalanjaradhipati ("Lord of Kalanjara"), which shows their importance to the fort.^[5]

Kalinjar's historical background is replete with numerous battles and invasions. The Hindu princes of different dynasties as well as the Muslim rulers fought hard to conquer it and the fort continued to pass from one ruler to another, but except for the Mughals, no other ruler could reign over it for long.^{[citation needed]}

In 1023 Mahmud of Ghazni attacked and received a tribute from Kalinjar,^[6][7] Mughal emperor Babur became the only commander in history to have captured the fort in 1526 when his forces drove away Raja Hasan Khan Mewattpati. It was also the place where Sher Shah Suri met his death in 1545 when he was killed either in the fort or nearby on the grounds. In 1569 Akbar captured the fort and it was under Mughal rule until its capture by the Marathas. Kalinjar played a prominent part in history down to the time of the Revolt of 1857, when it was held by a small British garrison.^[1] Both the fort and the town, which stands at the foot of the hill, are of interest to the antiquary on account of the remains of temples, sculptures, inscriptions, and caves.^[1]

Panoramic view of Inside Rani Mahal, Kalinjar fort

In the early 18th century, the fort was captured by the Peshwa Bajirao after defeating the Mughal general Bangesh Khan of Allahabad. In order to stop the Mughals from entering Bundelkhand again, he established a Maratha light infantry huzurat of 5000 under the command of , , , , and , all veterans of war and Maratha class one generals. In due course of time, the Marathas conquered the nearby territories and expanded to the Bengal frontiers. They inflicted a crushing defeat on Awadh ally Nawab of Rampur and Ala Vardi Khan.^{[citation needed]}

The fort was used to levy chauth to nearby territories like Benaras, Mirzapur, Pratapgarh, Kunda, and Bundela.

Colonial period[]

In 1802, the Peshwa was involved in direct skirmishes with the East India Company in which he was defeated. In the [[treaty of Anjanagaon, Peshwa Bajirao II ceded Bundelkhand to the East India Company after his defeat in the Second Anglo-Maratha war. The fort came under the management of the East India Company in 1805-06. The Old Bhatt royalty was expatriated and was granted separate sanads of Kirwi, Attra, Chitrakut Mathond, and Khurand.

The fort was placed under the pre-Maratha constitution of Bundela - Jhijhotiya Chubes. However, during the first War of Independence in 1857, The Old Bhatta Aristocracy recaptured the fort driving Bundela back to Ajaygarh. In 1858, the British attacked the fort but the people at large resisted and fought a tough battle with Major Hugh Rose. A long drawn siege ensued in which almost 800 British and 3000 Indians were killed. This proved to be the toughest battlefield in Bundelkhand where English suffered maximum casualties. The English with the help of the states of Panna and Rewa captured this fort on 4th May 1858. The Last Bhatta Peshwas surrendered and were sent to Rewa as prisoners. Kalinjar subah was distributed in between Bundela, Rewa Solanki and Chaubes of Rajaula. The fort was decommissioned and its buildings were demolished, to prevent any further maratha garrisoning at Kalinjar, thus ending the legacy of this fort. The total chauth collection was estimated at 40 lakh shahi mohars. The Naukahai campaign of Rewa and Chunar Fort, was launched directly from Kalinjar in which the Sohagpur Amarkantak and Shahdol paragana were attached to Peshwa territories. Almost all the occupants of the fort were moon worshipers and are called Chandravanshi clans of Kshatriya, Brahmanas, Kalchuries and Yadavas.^{[citation needed]}

In 1812, the British troops marched into Bundelkhand, and after a long battle, they were able to annex the fort. The British seizure of Kalinjar proved to be a great watershed, transferring the legacy of the old aristocracy into the hands of the new bureaucracy of officials, who showed their loyalty to British imperialism by damaging the captured fort. The damages caused to the fort can still be seen on its walls and open spaces.^{[citation needed]}

Transport links[]

Air

The nearest airport is at Khajuraho, 130 km (81 mi) away but has limited connectivity. Kanpur Airport which is well connected with metropolitan cities of India is 175 km (109 mi) and 4 hours drive from Kalinjar.

Rail

The nearest railway station is at Atarra 36 km (22 mi) away, on the Banda-Satna route, 57 km (35 mi) from Banda Railway Station.

Road

The Kalinjar fort is linked by road to all the important centres in the region with regular bus services. Some of the major road distances are: Chitrakoot, 78 km (48 mi); Banda, 62 km (39 mi); Khajuraho, 130 km (81 mi); and Allahabad, 205 km (127 mi).

Gallery[]

• 

  Pillared building at one corner of Kalinjar Fort

• 

  Kuvera riding on his vehicle, near temple of Nilkanth

• 

  Architectural details from temple of Nilkanth

• 

  Kurma avatar

• 

  Varaha avatar

• 

  Sculpture of Ganesh from temple of Nilkanth

• 

  Neelkanth Mandir View from top

• 

  Temple in the Fort

• 

  Fort (inside view)

• 

  Pillar inside Rani Palace, Kalinjar Fort

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References[]