Kangra Fort, located on the slopes between the rushing Manjhi and Ban Ganga Rivers, is perhaps India’s oldest Fort. While the exact construction period is unknown, it is thought to have been built by the Katoch Dynasty, the Kangra State’s Royal Rajputs.
The Chandravanshi Katoch Dynasty can be traced back to the Trigarta Kingdom, which is mentioned in the Mahabharata. Raja Sansar Chand, who took the Fort from the Mughals in the late 18th century, is one of the most famous kings. The museum at the Fort’s base houses an extensive collection of memoirs.
Everyone was looking at the Fort since it was thought that whoever ruled the Kangra Fort would be the ruler of the Hills. After passing through various hands for about 1000 years, it was destroyed by the Kangra Earthquake in 1905, rendering it uninhabitable.
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History on the Walls at Kangra Fort
Starting with the Ranjit Singh gate, the Fort is entered by a series of gateways. This was dedicated to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who aided the Katochs in repelling the Gurkhas and ruled the Fort until 1846.
The Ahini Gate and Jahangiri Gate were built during the Mughal period. AparBetween these gates is a crest with a sculpture of the patron Goddess Ambika Devi, and a deer emblem etched on it. Jahangir was the only Mughal emperor to seize the Fort, although warriors from early history such as Mahmud Ghazni and Muhammad Bin Tughlaq made several attempts. The vista of the winding road leading to the Fort and the distant view of Jayanti Mata Temple on the hill are simply stunning.
The Andheri Gate is a short corridor designed to let just two men pass through at a time to prevent unwanted entry into the Fort. After the renovation, it appeared to be considerably larger.
The Darshini Gate, which had a severe curve, was the true entrance to the Fort. A slight fall to the right led to a storage facility for weaponry and ammunition, blasted apart when the British fired a cannon from a vantage point across the hill.
Temples and Palaces in Kangra Fort
Kangra Fort is a fort located in Kangra. A short flight of stairs leads to the Temple courtyard, shaded by the massive Peepul.
A modest shrine dedicated to Ambika Mata, the Katoch Kings’ patron deity, and a lovely statue of Adinath Jain can be found to the left.
Kangra Fort is a fort located in Kangra Kangra. During the terrible earthquake of 1905, large blocks of stone, pillars, and portions of pillars were reduced to rubble and degraded over time.
Kangra Fort is a fort located in Kangra. The lone surviving wall of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple is on the right side, exquisitely carved.
It is easy to picture how gorgeous it would have been in its heyday. The Palace Courtyard and Terrace were reached through the next set of stairs.
Kangra Fort is a fort located in Kangra. Apart from beautiful valley vistas, there isn’t much remaining of this location. The renowned Fort and the Katoch monarchy, which once ruled the hills, are said to have incurred the wrath of the patron deity for erecting a palace higher than her residence.
Suggestion for Travel
- Kangra Fort is around 3 kilometres from Kangra Bus Stand and 20 kilometres from Dharamshala. A short walk downhill leads to the Fort’s entrance.
- Except on Tuesdays, it is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Fridays, the adjacent museum closes.
- Please purchase the Rs 100 Audio Guide, narrated by a Royal Family member and includes historical information and tales.
- The tour of the Fort will take approximately 1 to 2 hours, depending on your level of interest. It’s best to go in the evening because it may get hot throughout the day.
- Combine your trip with a stop at Bajreshwari Temple along the way.