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ROYAL WORLD TRAVEL ––» Rajasthan Forts & Palaces ––» Bila Quila Fort, Alwar

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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. Akbar’s 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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