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Magnificent Forts of India

Forts are witnesses to great historical events of valour and sacrifice, treachery and cowardice. Built in hilly areas or on hilltops, in arid deserts or in waters along the coast, they have a charm and beauty of their own. Some have stories of romance, love and intrigue hidden in their stonewalls. The forts have a calling for all be it the locals who revel in the glory of their ancestors or the visitors who come to see, understand and admire these wonderfull relics of the past.

The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines the ‘Fort’ as “a building or buildings specially made or strengthened for the military defence of an area.” In many cases, it also served as a palace or official place of residence of the ruler but all palaces were not located in forts. Forts have played an important part in the development of localities, be it the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk around which Mughal Delhi flourished or Fort William around which British Kolkata grew up. Forts have also served as cities within walls where their owners have sheltered from attackers...sometimes for many years.

Forts of India :

• Achalgarh Fort - situated eleven km north of Mount Abu, built by Maharana Kumbha.
• Agra Fort or Lal Qila - A UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra. Majority of the Mughal Dynasty lived here.
• Allahabad Fort - Built by Emperor Akbar in 1583.
• Amber Fort - located at Amber 11 km from Jaipur was the principal fort cum palace of the Kacchawaha rulers. 
• Bandhavgarh Fort - An ancient fort last ruled by the 'Baghels' of Rewa.
• Bhimgarh Fort - Located near Reasi, a town approximately 64 km north-west of Jammu.
• Bandhavgarh Fort - situated in Bandhavgarh in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, India. 
• Chittorgarh Fort - a massive and majestic fort located in Chittorgarh town in Rajasthan India.
• Golconda Fort - The famed fortress of the Qutab-Shahi kings and the Nizams of Hyderabad.
• Mehrangarh Fort - Mehrangarh (meaning Majestic Fort) is  massive lofty fort in the city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan India.
• Nahargarh Fort - built by Sawai Raja Jai Singh in 1734. Nahargarh literally means 'Tigers Lair'.
• Jaisalmer Fort - the second oldest of Rajasthan’s major forts built in 1156 by Maharawal Jaisal. Also known as 'Sonar Qila' or the Golden Fort.