Jhansi fort – It Is Very Great Model Of North Indian Architecture

JHANSI FORT

AT

UTTAR PRADESH

The Jhansi fort or Jhansi ka Killa is a fortress located on a hilltop called Bangira in Uttar Pradesh. Extending over 15 acres, this fort is a great example of the north Indian style of architecture. Every year in the month of January–February a grand occasion is held known as Jhansi Mahotsav when many eminent personalities and artists perform their play.

Jhansi Fort was built byarocha’s king Maharaja Veer Singh Dev in 1613. It’s was surrounded by 16 to 20 ft wall. There are ten doors in the fort’s wall each having the name of a king or historic location from the kingdom. The name is like Chand door, Datiya Door, Jharna Door, Laxmi Door, Aurcha Door, Unnao Door, Khanderao Door and Senya Door. However, some of the doors are now become extinct, yet there are some doors are still in good condition.

The construction of the fort is ascribed to the Bundela Chief Raja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha IN 1613. For twenty five years it was one of the strongholds of the Bundelas till it passed into the hands of the Mughals for the next Hundred years and subsequently came under the possession of the Marathas for another hundred years.

The Maratha chief Naru Shankar enlarged the Shankargarh area of the fort. From the Marathas during the period of 1857, it passed into the hands of the British, who defeated Rani Lakshmi Bai and took possession of the fort. The fort is thus associated with the First war of Independence. Altogether there are twenty two bastions with a massive fortification wall and a moat on two sides.

The important structures in the fort are Kadak Bijli, Ganesh Temple, Bhawani Shankar Temple, Baradari, Shahar Darwaza, graves of Gulam Gaus Khan, Panch Mahal, Jumping spot, Kal Kothri, Hanging tower, Shankargarh and Shiva temple.

Jumping spot is one of the major attractions for the tourists, it is said that riding on the horse Rani Jhansi along with his adopted son jumped out of the fort from this spot.

By Air

Nearest airport is Gwalior Airport – 98 km, Khajuraho-178 km.

By Train

Jhansi is well connected by an excellent railway network. Train connectivity to cities in all directions is available. In fact Jhansi is among the busiest railways stations in the country with most of the north-south and east-west trains passing through here. Helpline Number - 2440441

By Bus

Jhansi, on National Highway No. 25 and 26, is linked by a good network of roads. Some major road distances are: Agra – 221 km.; Khajuraho – 176 km.; Datia – 28 km.; Shivpuri – 100 km.; Kalpi – 142 km; Gorakhpur – 563 km.; Lucknow – 297 km.; Kanpur – 220 km.; Lalitpur – 93 km.; Delhi – 414 km.