Singorgarh fort

Singorgarh fort is located in Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh state in Central India. It is a hill-fort of Gondwana dynasty which is spread over hills in a forested area. Singorgarh fort is about 45kms from Jabalpur city, on the way to Damoh town. It was a magnificent fort and residence of Gond rulers of Central India. They spend some times of a year in Singorgarh fort. At present, fort is in a ruined condition with no caretaker. It is located inside forest area and there is no proper road to reach the site. By looking at current ruined site, one can realize that during its peak days, thousands of people were living here and fort was spread over large area and many watch towers are still visible in this area. There is pond also in hill-top which was basically for water arrangement. During last war of Gond dynasty, under rule of Rani Durgavati, fort received major blow of first attack in June-1564. During those days, Rani Durgavati was staying in same Singorgarh Fort and later shifted to Garha fort of Jabalpur.

History
Before coming in hand of Gond rulers, Singorgarh fort was under Chandel rulers in 1308. It was Gond ruler Sangram shah who conquered the Singorgarh fort in early period of 16th century. Sangram Shah was a powerful Gond ruler and was Father in Law of Rani Durgavati. It was year 1564 when Mughal army, led by Asaf Khan (from Kunda, Uttar Pradesh), with assistance of Rewa rulers, attacked the Gond Kingdom. In those days, Mughal ruler Akbar ordered his general Asaf Khan of Kunda, to attack the Gond dynasty as he was jealous of Gond dynasty's prosperity and sovereignty. In summers of year 1564, Mughal army reached Gond kingdom border. During that time, Rani Durgavati was ruling the kingdom and was present in same Singorgarh fort. When she came to know about the huge army of more than 70,000 soldiers, she decided to leave the fort and shifted to Garha fort of Jabalpur and major war took place in this area. While marching towards Jabalpur, Mughal army first reached Singorgarh fort and attacked here in which fort was badly damaged and since then, although ruled but never gained its previous prosperity and gleam.